More Easy

Wow!  I just made this up on the spot the other night.  Of course, if you don't have these things in the fridge the answer is still easy - use something else!  I was using stuff up that I had opened a few days before and wanted to use before it had to be tossed.  I love salads made with grape tomatoes and I love slicing them on the diagonal.  They look prettier that way.  The vodka in the dressing is a bonus.

Spur-of-the-moment Tomato Salad

Slice grape or cherry tomatoes in half on the diagonal (they look prettier) until you have about a cup, or until you have enough, or until you have used them all up.

If you have a green onion or two in the fridge, slice them thinly and add to the tomatoes.  Or use a regular onion.  I like to rinse and drain after slicing to rinse off some of the "hot".

If you have half a can of garbanzo beans in the fridge, add a few spoonfuls (or all of them).  If not, add something else like black olives or chunks of feta cheese.

If you have half a jar of marinated artichoke hearts in the fridge, add some or all of them.  If not, add something else like sliced zucchini or cucumber.  Add some (or all) of the marinade too.  If it's not tart enough add a little vinegar or lemon juice (or just add some homemade or bottled vinaigrette).  Add a splash of vodka too.

If you have a bay tree and you have just pruned it (I did) add a few leaves, crushed or sliced.  Don't eat them - they're not basil!  If you don't have any fresh bay leaves add some basil or oregano.

Add a generous grinding of black pepper and a pinch of salt, along with a dash of crushed red pepper flakes.  Chill in the fridge and serve with your sandwich for lunch, or with corn on the cob for supper.

Quotable quotes; in the category If It's Not Balanced What Good Is It?

"Food is an important part of a balanced diet".  Fran Lebowitz