BBQ Grilling: Try Grilled Summer Cooling Puttanesca Gazpacho

  AP photo/Matthew Mead

From Denny:  Fancy a cold soup to counter the ridiculous hot heat of the summer?  Gazpacho is everyone's favorite, especially when entertaining for large groups.  This version involves grilling all those delicious veggies like red bell peppers, poblano peppers, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and a head of fresh garlic.  

Let the charred peppers cool before removing the skins and the inside seeds and membranes. Squeeze the cooled soft garlic cloves out of their papery skins and into the food processor.  Add the delicious flavors of capers, Kalamata olives, anchovies, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Make the soup as chunky or as smooth as you like.  Chill well before serving.  To serve, garnish with yummy ricotta cheese and fresh torn herbs like cilantro and basil.  Then sit back and wait for the compliments to arrive!

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Comfort Food From Louisiana: Mardi Gras: Muffuletta Sandwich

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Mardi Gras: Muffuletta Sandwich: From Denny: Do you love the New Orleans tradition of muffuletta sandwiches? They are popular throughout Louisiana, especially at carnival time. During the parades people are always looking for snacks that are easy to grab off a tray and run back into the crowd to catch those all important beads. :)

This recipe is for an appetizer version where you don't have to worry so much about the high calories, salt and preservatives since it is a smaller portion.

There is even a recipe to show you how to make your own olive salad which can be used for more than just this sandwich, like a dressing on a garden salad or as a spread on French bread. It was originally developed by the Sicilian immigrants that settled in New Orleans about 100 years ago.

Recipe: Mediterranean Fish

Looking for a healthy recipe for your New Year's diet? Look no further! Here is a wonderful baked fish intensely flavorful with sweet sundried-tomatoes and fresh basil.

From: Love Your Heart by the American Heart Association.

Serves 4 - each portion is a 3 oz. fish plus 2 Tablespoons tomato mixture per serving.


Ingredients:

Vegetable oil spray

4 dry-packed sun-dried tomato halves, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons water

8 kalamata olives, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons diced pimento

2 Tablespoons finely snipped fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves

1 Tablespoon olive oil

4 mild, thin fish fillets, such as snapper/tilapia
(about 4 ozs. each)

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray.

In a small microwavable bowl, stir together tomatoes and water. cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on 100% power for 30 seconds or until the water is very hot. Let stand for 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Drain well.

Return the tomatoes to the bowl. Stir in the olives, pimento, parsley, basil and oil.

Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Put fish in single layer on baking sheet. Sprinkle with paprika, cayenne and salt.

Bake for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Spoon the tomato mixture on top to serve.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 152 calories