ITALIAN-STYLE BRUSCHETTA

INGREDIENTS – FOR THE TOMATOE MIX:

• 4 tablespoons of olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed (or more)

• 4 large tomatoes, diced

• A handful of sliced fresh basil

• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar

• Pepper and salt to taste.

FOR THE BREAD:

• 1 large baguette, cut diagonally into ¼” thick slices

• Olive oil for brushing

STEPS:

Marinated tomatoes: Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden (2-4 minutes). Remove pan from heat and leave to cool. In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add garlic and oil from skillet and toss to combine. Leave the marinade to one side for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, toast the bread: Preheat oven to 400°C. Brush bread on both sides lightly with oil and place on large baking sheet. Toast bread until golden, 10 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Leave the bread to cool for 5 minutes. Spoon tomatoes on top of bread just before serving. Serve immediately - Bon appetit.

Tzatziki

This homemade tzatziki is perfect for serving as an appetizer, dip, side, and sauce and is healthy.

• 1 cucumber.

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1/4 of a cup extra virgin olive o

• 500g strained Greek yogurt (18 ounces)

• Fresh dill, minced: Do not substitute dried dill as the flavor will not be the same

• 1–2 tbsps of red wine vinegar

• a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper

• Tip: Probably the most important part when making a Greek tzatziki sauce recipe is the preparation of the cucumber.

STEP 1:

To prepare this authentic Greek tzatziki sauce recipe, remove the skin and the seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes. Afterwards, wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.

STEP 2:

Assemble the tzatziki sauce. In a bowl, add the cucumber, the minced garlic and olive oil, the yogurt, 1-2 tbsps of red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined. Store the tzatziki sauce in the fridge and always serve cold.

STEP 3:

Prepare this traditional tzatziki sauce for your friends and family and serve as a delicious dip with some warm pita breads aside.

GUACAMOLE - fantastic!

Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 ripe avocados (make sure they are a bit soft to the touch)

• 1 small onion

• 1 clove garlic (crushed)

• 1 small tomato

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of limejuice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Corn chip scoops

STEPS:

• Peel avocados and remove the pit

• Smash with a spoon in a large bowl

• Add chopped onion, tomato, garlic, limejuice, salt and pepper.

• Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

• Fill the corn chip scoops – and enjoy!

SPICY SPAGHETTI WITH GARLIC MUSHROOMS

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 250 g chestnut mushrooms, thickly sliced

• 1 garlic clove (maybe 2)

• Small bunch parsley, leaves only

• 1 celery stick, finely chopped

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 400 g can chopped tomatoes

• 1/2 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped

• 300 g spaghetti

STEPS:

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan, add the mushrooms, then fry over a high heat for 3 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic, fry for 1 minute, then tip into a bowl with parsley. Add the onion and celery to the pan with the rest of the oil. Then fry for 5 minutes until lightly colored.

Stir in the tomatoes, chili and little salt, and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, for 10 minutes until thickened. Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti. Drain and then toss in the sauce, top with the garlicky mushrooms and serve. Bon appetite!