Tomato and Basil Salad

This is easy! This is quick! This is excellent! I recently took this salad to a potluck: It disappeared very quickly. 

Tomato and Basil Salad:

8 medium tomatoes, ripe and quartered
24 pitted, whole black olives, drained and blotted dry
1/4 c. fresh basil, chopped (see Note)
2-to-3 tsp. granulated sugar
At least 1-1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper, or to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Feta cheese crumbles, as needed

About 30 min. before serving, combine tomatoes, olives, basil, sugar, and pepper, tossing gently. Cover lightly and let stand at room temperature until ready to serve. Sprinkle with olive oil; add feta. Serves 8.

Note: Measurement should be slightly compacted.

Chop fresh basil ...

Combine fresh tomatoes, basil, olives, sugar, pepper ... 

Ready in minutes ... Your finished salad!

Long Island Iced Tea

Here’s everyone’s perennial favorite for warm summer days! We’re still on the road - but would never take this drink along for the ride.

Long Island Iced Tea:

1 jigger vodka
1 jigger tequila
1 jigger dark rum
1 jigger gin
1 jigger orange-flavored liqueur such as Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier
1-½ jiggers sweet-and-sour bar mix
1 quick splash Coca Cola (as in “Things go better with …”)

Combine ingredients in a pitcher, stirring in crushed ice. Pour into tall glasses, garnishing with a lemon twist. Serves one idiot or three normal people.

Cherries Jubilee

To what better use to put fresh summer cherries than in this decadent dessert? 

Cherries Jubilee:

1 c. fresh cherries, rinsed and pitted
1/4 c. warmed brandy
2 tbsp. Kirsch (also called kirschwasser)
2 c. slightly softened vanilla ice cream, ready in serving dishes

Have all ingredients measured and arrayed before starting. Warm brandy 40 sec. in heat-proof  2 c. measuring cup in microwave oven. Remove. Warm cherries 1 min. on heat-proof dish in microwave oven. Ignite brandy in measuring cup, pouring over cherries. When flame dies, stir in Kirsch. Pour over ice cream, serving immediately. Yields 2.