Chopped Caprese Salad

Yum!  Especially with garden fresh tomatoes.  Measurements are approximate, because it's really just a throw-together kind of thing and it depends on what you like.
1 to 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
3/4 to 1 cup cubed fresh mozzarella
1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (15-25 leaves)
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
salt, to taste

Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves in a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top and toss together.  Salt as desired. 

Egg Roll Stirfry

Also known by egg roll in a bowl, it really does taste like an egg roll!

1.5 lb ground beef
1 TBS olive oil
1 large onion, diced (or blended)
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt (less if using salty broth, bouillon cubes or soy sauce)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (more if you like it spicy)
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 head cabbage, shredded
1/2 bag of matchstick carrots (about 1 cup)
1 TBS Soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos

Brown the beef in a large skillet.  Depending on how lean the meat is, you may need to add the 1 TBS olive oil.  Add the onion, garlic & ginger and saute until onion is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.  Add salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.

Next add the broth, shredded cabbage and carrots.  Saute until cabbage and carrots are a bit soft (you still want a little bit of crunch, not mushy.)  Add soy sauce. 

Eat as-is or serve over rice.  Garnish with green onions if desired.  Serve with sweet chili sauce. 

Vietnamese BBQ Pork Noodle Bowl

When I ordered this at our local Pho restaurant, I knew I had to try and recreate it.  So simple and flavorful! 

Meat + Marinade 
1 lb pork, sliced into small bite-size pieces
2 TBS minced onions
1 TBS pressed garlic
3 TBS cane sugar
2 tsp fish sauce
1 TBS Soy sauce (or Bragg's liquid aminos)
1 tsp pepper
2 TBS olive oil

Mix together marinade and pour over meat pieces in a large ziploc bag.  Let sit for at least an hour, or overnight.  Spread on cookie sheet in a single layer and cook at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  Broil on high to get a golden color, then flip the meat over and repeat. 

Nuoc Cham (Sauce) 2 minced garlic cloves
2 TBS sugar
1/2 C. Warm water
1/4 c. fish sauce
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
2 TBS white vinegar
red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you like it, I only added 1/4tsp)
1 green onion, chopped.

Mix together garlic cloves, sugar and warm water and stir till sugar is dissolved.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix.  This sauce is very water, but it totally works when poured on top of the noodles!

Serve with: Cooked Stir-fry rice noodles
Matchstick carrots
Cucumbers, cut into sticks (kind of like the matchstick carrots)
Bean sprouts
Mint leaves

Egg rolls on the side is a nice touch, if preferred.  You could also leave out the meat easily for a flavorful vegetarian dish.