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Caesar Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Garlic Bread
by Jes Mostek 		 
In addition to the recipes, you will also need the following for this meal:
  1/2 (16 oz.) box  spaghetti noodles
  1 (26 oz.) can  spaghetti sauce

Recipes:
Chicken Caesar Salad Cesar Salad
by Jes Mostek
serves: 4
  Did you know that Caesar salad was not named after Julius Caesar? "Caesar" is the most commonly known spelling for this fabulous salad dressing, but "Cesar" is actually the original spelling. The salad was named for its creator, Cesar Cardini, a restaurant owner who lived and reigned in Tijuana, Mexico during the time of the Prohibition on alcohol in the U.S.

Today, either spelling is acceptable. In fact, if you buzz through the salad dressing aisle of the grocery store, you may notice that even the "Cardini" line of salad dressings uses the spelling with an "a:" Caesar Salad Dressing.

But of course, if you want the best dressing, then you'll want to make it from scratch. But don't worry, it'll only take you about 10 minutes to make this salad. What a great way to impress your family, or even your dinner guests! Just a note: if you are preparing this for guests, I recommend preparing the dressing and croutons in advance (although you may want to toast the croutons just before serving).
Ingredients:
  4 slices   bread (or buns)
  2 T.   olive oil
  2 T.   finely grated Parmesan cheese
    salt & pepper to taste
  1 lg.   lemon
  1/2 c.   olive oil
  1/2 c.   coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
  1 (2 oz.) can   anchovies
  2 T.   mayonnaise
  1   heart of romaine, chopped
  2   Chicken Breasts (grilled and sliced thinly) *Optional
Directions:
  To make the croutons:

Cut the bread (this is a great way to use up extra hamburger buns) into 1" cubes.

Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl or plastic zipper bag and spray or drizzle with olive oil (I love the Pam Crisco pure olive oil in a spray can for this-- very convenient). Sprinkle the cheese, salt & pepper and any other spices or seasons you'd like to include (garlic) over the bread and stir in the mixing bowl or shake in the bag.

Transfer the unbaked croutons to a baking pan and cook in a hot oven (425°F) for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure all croutons are getting browned. You can also make these in your toaster oven-- just watch carefully to make sure they don't burn in there.

The croutons are best served fresh and still warm, but they will keep for about a week in the cupboard (longer in the fridge).

To make the dressing:
Using a fresh lemon will make all the difference in this recipe.

Before juicing the lemon, roll the lemon on the counter-top or between your hands, using firm pressure. This will break up some of the lemon, making it easier to juice and increasing the amount of juice you get from the lemon. Juice the lemon. While you don't want any of the seeds or any of the rind, getting some of the pulp can only make the salad better.

In a blender, combine the fresh-squeezed lemon juice with the olive oil, the parmesan cheese, the entire contents of the can of anchovies (although you can reserve a couple out for each person if you'd like to serve them as a garnish, or you can coursely chop up a few to make a chunkier dressing), and the optional mayonnaise. Blend until the dressing has a smooth consistensy (this'll only take a few seconds). The authentic recipe uses no mayo, but I like the addition as it simply calms down all of these potent flavors.

This dressing will keep in your fridge for 1-2 weeks.

OPTIONAL: Up the protein on this delicious salad by adding grilled chicken, sliced thinly and placed on top.

To assemble the salad, toss the chopped romaine with the dressing and the croutons. Serve promptly.

Please note: 1 heart of romaine yeilds about 5-6 c. lettuce (loosely packed).
Hot & Crusty Garlic-Cheese Bread
by Jes Mostek
serves: 4
 
Ingredients:
  1/2 loaf   French Bread
  1/4 c.   unsalted butter, melted
  1 clove   fresh garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp. powder per clove)
  1/2 tsp.   salt
  1 1/2 c.   grated mozzarella cheese
Directions:
  Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut 2 pieces of aluminum foil about one foot long (about 6” longer than the length of the bread).

In a small bowl, combine melted butter with garlic powder and salt. With serrated bread knife, slice bread lengthwise. Lay out bread on one of the sheets of foil. Using a pastry brush, a spoon, or your fingers, spread melted butter mixture on both cut sides of the bread. Sprinkle the cheese over one side of the bread.

Put the bread back together like a sandwich and wrap completely in the foil. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Cut into slices and serve hot.
Meatballs
by Jes Mostek
serves: 4
  This recipe calls for ground beef, because that is what is most readily available. But if you're cooking for a crowd, mixing ground beef with ground pork, ground turkey, and ground lamb will yield the most flavorful meatballs.

Also, you never need to worry about having too many meatballs on hand, because they freeze wonderfully, either cooked or raw (thaw in the refrigerator overnight).
Ingredients:
  1/2 c.   onion, finely chopped
  1 T.   butter
  1 lb.   ground beef
  1/2 c.   plain bread crumbs
  1 lg.   egg
  1/4 c.   finely shredded cheese
  2 T.   fresh parsley (or 1 tsp. dry for every T. fresh)
  1/4 tsp.   salt
  1/4 tsp.   pepper
Directions:
  Melt the butter in a small saute pan over medium to low heat. Add the chopped onion and saute, just until the onions start to sweat (about 2 minutes).

Meanwhile, chop the fresh parsley into small pieces and prepare the bread crumbs, if necessary.

If you don't have packaged bread crumbs on hand, you can either give a couple of slices of bread a whir in the food processor or crush up some crackers. Substitute an equal measurement of crumbs.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the bread crumbs, egg, cheese (use whatever variety of cheese you have on hand), sauteed onion, parsley, and salt & pepper. Mix well.

The mixture should be moist while still holding its shape (not crumbly or gooey). If you need more moisture, add a splash of milk. Shape into 2" - 3" meatballs (they will shrink slightly in the cooking process).

Stove-top method: In a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium to high heat, cook meatballs for about 7-10 minutes, turning occasionaly, until cooked through.

Broiler method: place meatballs two inches apart on foil-covered broiler pan. Broil for about 8-10 minutes, turning the meatballs once, until cooked through.

Baking method: place meatballs two inches apart in a large baking pan or cookie sheet with lip and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, until cooked through.