A Fall Picnic Salad and a Lazy Autumn Day...

copyright 2009, Maria Liberati
What is it about the beginning of Fall that makes me feel lazy?? but not the same lazy I feel in the 'dog days' of August..that is an extremely 'wear your flip flops' and enjoy the summer sun relax. No it is more of a realxed because it seems as if everything is beginning to take its' course for the Fall. The weather is a Fall weather, offices are back to their normal schedules,schools are filled and on their schedules..everyone is back to their normal Fall routines..so yes  I guess that is a reason to relax.

Relaxing as this weekend is I opted for something light for dinner tonight..a Tuscna Picnic slad made with the Sempre Sapori spice blend I developed to create easy Tuscan style dishes in a 'flash'. We have been getting so many calls and orders and re-orders from those of you that tried it that I had a 'voglio' to use it on something as well. Here it is a salad for a light dinner on a relaxing Fall evening.

 Tuscan Picnic Salad with  Sempre Sapori




1 lb romaine salad (or 1 pre-cut package)



2 avocados, pitted and peeledTuscan



and cut into 1” chunks



1 lb plum tomatoes cut into wedges



½ lb fresh mozzarella cut into small chunks



2 tsp of Sempre Sapori (Tuscan Picnic Blend)



Wash, clean, cut salad ingredients. Place in large bowl. Combine salad dressing ingredients in small bowl and mix with wire whisk or place in bottle and shake to mix. Refrigerate dressing for 30 minutes before placing dressing on salad. Dressing can be refrigerated for up to two weeks

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Oct 2nd- Join me for a book singing in Collngswood, NJ at the Collingswood Book Festival from 11-1 PM



October 5th-Join me for a cooking demo/sampler dinner and book signing at Horsham Library in Horsham PA. Email juzz@aol.com for reservations. Spaces limited..4 course sampler dinner and more..



October 16th-18th.. join me at the Philadelphia Food  and Wine Fest..book signing, cooking demo on stage on Sunday at 3:30. Phhiladelphia Expo center, King of Prussia, Pa



Nov5-7-Christmas in Italy weekend at Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast. Join me for a weekend of coking classes, wine pairings, in Lancaster, Pa using fresh produce from Lancaster at this beautiful bed and brakfst..just as we do at my cooking school in Italy.Email : Carl at Harvest Moon for reservations at info@harvestmoonbandb.com  

Gelato..oohh soo cold

Yes it is still winter and cold temps almost everywhere but what could be more delicious than a scoop of gelato. And more of an experience if you can have your scoop at one of the elegant coffee bars in the center of Rome,Italy...
Hers is a luscious way to combine the flavor of coffee in gelato and for more on gelato go to http://www.marialiberati.com/blog2

Gelato Al Caffe
*2 cups cream
*2 cups coffee
*3/4 cup sugar
*pinch of salt

Place in a saucepan the cream, coffee and salt. Place over low heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat when it begins to boil.Add in sugar and let dissolve and mix in well.
Place mixture in the refrigerator. When cool place in ice cream or gelato maker and follow instructions.

Join me at The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm cooking school in Italy Sept 26th -October 3rd. Enjoy La Dolce Vita at the villa or the castle..
Enjoy 4 cooking classes, tours to local wineries and olive groves,sightseing and more all while relaxing at the villa or luxury suites at a nearby castle. For mroe info email us at events@marialiberati.com
For more great recipes get your copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com
Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,
Maria