Neat Little Meals

One of the best aspects of a summer weekend is that it's anything goes.This includes eating.You can create a neat little meal using your imagination and whatever is around the kitchen and in the fridge.Make what you want.Eat what ypu want.It's just that simple. One of the most fun dishes to whip up is a cream cheese spread.Cream cheese, the real dairy and the soy kind is such a great base for any sort of spread.One of my favorites is a family recipe handed down from my Piedmontese side.It 's taking a whole clove of garlic, mincing it into tiny pieces and adding it to the cream cheese.Also add a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil along with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. The soy version is actually easier to work with because it"s softer and creamier.Another cream cheese spread contains chopped green Manzanilla olives. .Just add about a third of a cup of the cut olives and some of the brine.Mix well until thorough Y blended.You can serve these on thin slices of French or Italian bread.I usually like the spread on crackers.A good side is salted grape tomatoes too with the rounds.They're light and filling.Another fun idea is taking tomatoes,garlic and basil ,chopping them up to make a tasty bruschetta.For some variety and weight, you could also throw in any minced Italian cold cut like pancetta, or salame.Another spin is adding tuna or minced cooked shrimp if ypu have them around. Want a more substantial hot meal?Then try soup. You could easily open a can but one bouillon cube, a cup of hot water and a slew of ingredients can create a fun meal without any mess.With the broth you can try, either beef, chicken or vegetable(you could also make these yourself and thaw enough frozen stock for one bowl of soup.Mix one eggs with shredded fresh spinach leaves for a quick stracciatella.Vegetable broth with the addition of a fresh tomatoes, onions along with celery and carrots can serve as an easy made veggie soup..You can also add half a can of corn and half a can of beans too.A cup of rice can also be a great base to any quick summer dinner.Add some beans ,along with sliced grape tomatoes for a quick rice salad.If you have any leftover chicken or beef make quick stir fry in your frying pan.Drop in some snow peas if you have ,them or actually any sliced veggies .Toss in a good dash of soy sauce and voilà, an instant hot meal.If you want a sweet meal, then make French toast.It just takes one beaten egg and two to three slices of any bread or even left over rolls.Have with butter and syrup or jam. It's the weekend.Don't sweat making a meal for yourself.Forage around until you find something you can make a meal out of and enjoy.