1. Easy and very good vinegarette:
In a large jar mix together:
-- a lot of balsamic vinegar
-- a lot of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
-- fresh lemon juice from 1-2 lemons, mixed with honey (dissolve the honey into the lemon juice beforehand by stirring rapidly)
-- herbs de provence (dried, a lot-- oregano, marjoram, etc.)
-- fresh minced garlic
-- a little salt
-- a little black pepper
Shake like a polaroid picture and serve.
* Variations: minced onion, chopped peppers, fresh herbs, pure maple syrup instead of honey
2. Spanish Tomato Salad
Mince half a red onion and let it sit on a plate with sea salt until the water comes out of it. Drain the water (mostly) and the salt. Add to bowl where tomatoes will go.
Select some soft tomatoes, cut into smallish pieces. Mash the pieces with a fork to make them mushier.
Add olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add a sprinkle of lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, plus fresh minced garlic. Stir well.
You can add other things like chopped cucumber, green pepper pieces, and/or diced avocado. If you add the avocado, reserve the lemon juice in a cup until the end. Cut the avocado last and pour it into the lemon juice cup. Stir it around a bit and then pour all contents into the tomato bowl.
This is delicious for dipping bread into or eating as a cold salad.
