Salmon and Creamy Spinach Crostini

You know life is good when the Ratty serves salmon. If the stars align and you simultaneously spot spinach-stuffed-something in Roots and Shoots, try this (illegally) delicious crostini!

Salmon and Creamy Spinach Crostini

1 slice crusty bread

2 Tbsp creamy spinach

2 flakes of salmon

a garnish of tomato and green

1. Spread creamy spinach on bread (toasted would be extra delicious), top with salmon and garnish.

Hummus Pita Triangles

On a slow day at East Side Pocket*

East Side Pocket CEO: Our line usually extends all the way up Thayer, man. What's going on?

Worker: It's been slow since Monday, boss.

CEO: Oh yeah?

Worker: Must be Greek Week at the Ratty.

CEO: Ah.

brief pause

Worker: I heard their hummus is real good.

CEO: ...

*this is a purely fictional scenario

Hummus Pita Triangles

whole wheat pita "triangle" slices (Tastes of the World)

lettuce leaves

tomato slices

hummus

bulgur wheat parsley salad (Tastes of the World)

Sour Cream Mustard Relish Honey Sauce

2 Tbsp sour cream

1 Tbsp relish

1 tsp honey

1 tsp mustard

(ratio of ingredients in order listed is about 4:2:1:1)

1. Spread one side of pita triangle with hummus and Sour Cream Mustard Relish Honey Sauce.

2. Layer on tomato slice, lettuce, and bulgur wheat parsley salad.

3. Fold over and enjoy.

Grilled Garlic Focaccia Breadsticks

Garlicky, buttery, and so easy to make!

Grilled Garlic Focaccia Breadsticks

2-3 focaccia breadsticks

3-4 butter pats (toast station)

1-2 Tbsp garlic powder

dash of salt and pepper

1. Mix butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small cup.

2. Spread garlic butter on both sides of each breadstick.

3. Press in panini press until golden brown and crispy.

4. Top on a salad of your choice. We recommend:

Baby Spinach Salad Tossed in Balsamic Vinaigrette

Layer baby spinach, cucumbers, and purple onion rings on a plate. Toss lightly in balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy with something crunchy and buttery.

Peanut Butter Apple Toast

An intriguing combination of hot and toasty with tart and crispy; creamy and nutty with savory and smooth.

Peanut Butter Apple Toast

1 slice multi grain bread

1 Tbsp sunflower seeds

1 Tbsp all natural peanut butter

1 slice apple

1/4 slice cheddar cheese

1. Grill the bread on a panini press until golden brown marks appear.

2. Spread with peanut butter, top with rest of ingredients.

Kicked Up Broccoli Rabe Pasta Salad

Depending on how hot you like it you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in this recipe.

Kicked Up Broccoli Rabe Pasta Salad

1 scoop whole wheat penne

1 scoop broccoli rabe

1 handful shredded carrots

2 Tbsp tuna

1 Tbsp garlic infused olive oil

2 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp soy sauce

Mix all ingredients together on a plate, garnish with two attractive salad leaves, and enjoy.

Note: to make vegetarian, substitute tuna for shredded cheese.

Basil Olive Oil Honey Yogurt

Olive oil on yogurt? Why not? There's something about basil infused olive oil that pairs nicely with the sweetness of honey, and the bitter yet sweet undertones of the herb with the warm spice of cinnamon create a deep flavor profile that is perfect on cool yogurt.

Basil Olive Oil Honey Yogurt

1 large dollop plain yogurt

2 Tbsp basil olive oil

3 tsp honey

dash of cinnamon sugar

salad leaves for garnish

1. Drizzle a plate with honey.

2. Generously dollop (that's a technical term) the yogurt onto the center of the plate. Try to create height.

3. Drizzle with basil infused olive oil.

4. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and garnish with salad leaves.

Josh's Beef and Onion Panini

Another gorgeous panini from our dear friend Josh. This one uses the brilliant pairing of fresh and fried onion rings to accentuate the savory-ness of the beef.

A note about lettuce:

Josh: "No lettuce."

The rest of us: "Why not?"

Josh: "Because it's not that kind of sandwich."

Moral of the story: If you want a sandwich with lettuce, look elsewhere. The star here is the meat, so please don't skimp on the protein; you might offend the sandwich.

Josh's Beef and Onion Panini

2 slices wheat bread

3-5 slices hot pastrami

1 slice roast beef

2 fried onion rings

2 fresh onion rings

2 slices American cheese

mustard (optional)

1. Assemble the sandwich.

2. Press in panini press until golden brown grill marks appear (3-5 minutes).

3. Slice in half and enjoy with a generous plateful of salad tossed lightly in balsamic vinegar, and/or a tall glass of water.*

*these are optional, but according to Josh the sandwich packs a hearty punch of saltiness that will likely make you crave something along the lines of mixed greens/water (lettuce on the side, however, not inside the sandwich).

Red White and Olive Pasta

Simple pasta with a light olive oil dressing and a kick from those red pepper flakes.

Red White and Black Pasta

3/4 cup fusilli

3 mozzarella balls, sliced in half

4 grape tomatoes, sliced in half

3 black olives, sliced

1 Tbsp garlic infused olive oil

1 Tbsp parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp pumpkin seeds

a tiny bit of champagne vinegar

salt

1. Toss fusilli with sliced mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and olives.

2. Drizzle garlic infused olive oil over pasta, sprinkle with rest of the ingredients. Goes nicely with a salad of mixed greens in balsamic vinegar dressing.

Show-stopping Broccoli Rabe

Have you ever met someone who seems drab and unassuming but actually has a great personality once you get to know him or her? Was his/her name Broccoli Rabe? Rabe is humble, yet nutritious and delicious. This dish makes our friend, Rabe, the star.

Show-stopping Broccoli Rabe
1 cup broccoli rabe
1 Tbsp meatball sauce (or vegetarian tomato sauce)
2 tsp parmesan cheese
1/4 cup vegan red bean soup (or plain red beans)
1/4 cup diced green bell peppers
1 Tbsp wheat germ
2 Tbsp flaked tuna (leave out for vegetarian version)
3 raw broccoli florets
salad leaves for garnish
11 (count them) grape tomatoes

1. Combine all ingredients up to the broccoli, in order.
2. Garnish with salad leaflets.
3. Surround spinach with grape tomatoes.

Mashed Potato Scallion Pancakes

Inspired by pan-fried scallion pancakes from East Asian cuisine. Creamy potatoes and melted cheese contrast nicely with the crisp tortilla fresh out of a panini press.

Mashed Potato Scallion Pancakes

1 whole wheat tortilla

1/2 cup mashed potatoes (1 spoonful)

2 slices cheddar cheese

1/4 cup scallions, plus extra for garnish

3 onion rings

1. Spread mashed potatoes on one half of whole wheat tortilla. Layer cheese and onion rings on top, sprinkle with scallions.

2. Panini press for 3-5 minutes and garnish with fresh scallions.