My amazing parents came and brought me all sorts of great things this weekend, one thing my Mom was particularly excited about was a mandolin. A mandolin can be used a variety of ways. To make very thin slices, to grate things, or to slice off your finger. Although it is a great tool, it usually is where people hurt themselves on cooking shows. Regardless, I use mine with the upmost care and respect and am super excited to start making recipes with it!!
Also this weekend my parents took me to my favorite Italian grocery store Russo’s. Where they have everything you could imagine in terms of fruits and vegetables (even ones you didn’t knew existed) and also other products such as dried fruit and homemade pasta. Its a great location with also really great prices. While there I saw something I NEEDED to have for my apartment, a basil plant. I’ve wanted one for a really long time, and the windowsill in my kitchen was the perfect place for its new home.
This recipe combines both of my new toys; the mandolin and basil plant, and makes a fresh favorite even more fun.
Ingredients:
- tomato (very stiff one)
- cucumber
- fresh basil
- salt
- balsamic reduction
- fresh mozzarella if you have it
How to:
- If you do not have a stiff tomato, I would suggest not using the mandolin because it will all just be mushy. Either way, slice up your tomato and cucumber.
- Then ribbon your basil
- In a bowl mix all together, sprinkle with salt and drizzle in balsamic reduction and done.
- Elegant and flavorful but brilliantly simple!
The Home Taste 