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CD-offerA Refreshing Springtime Feast

Bibb and Berry Salad
Couscous with Roasted Grape tomatoes
Grouper Picatta
Classic Strawberry Pie

A springtime feast that’s refreshing and delicious.  Enjoy.

By Carrie Hanna

Bibb and Berry Salad

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 – 6

2 heads bibb lettuce, rinsed and dried
1 c. strawberries, sliced
½ c. mushrooms, sliced
¼ c. dried cranberries
1/3 c. pistachios, toasted
3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 c. balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp. strawberry preserves
½ c. olive oil
1 tbsp. walnut oil

In a large bowl, tear lettuce into small pieces and add next 5 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, preserves and oil.  Season with pepper.  Lightly toss salad with dressing.

Couscous with

Roasted Grape tomatoes

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 – 20 minutes
Serves: 4 – 6

1 box couscous, prepared according
to directions
2 c. grape tomatoes, rinsed, whole
¼ c. olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
Pepper to taste
½ c. fresh basil, sliced
½ c. crumbled feta

In a small roasting pan, combine tomatoes, 3 tbsp. olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.  Roast in 400 degree oven 10 – 15 minutes until just softened and blistered. Add balsamic vinegar and cool to room temperature.  Toss tomato mixture with couscous, basil, 1 tbsp. olive oil and feta.  Serve.

Grouper Picatta

Preparation time:  20 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Serves:  4

1 ½ lbs. grouper filets, skinned and boned
¼ c. flour
Salt and pepper
¼ c. butter
3 tbsp. olive oil
¼ c. fresh lemon juice
¼ c. white wine
1 tbsp. capers
2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 lemon, sliced horizontally ¼” thick

Rinse grouper filets and pat dry. Dust with flour and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in large non-stick skillet. Pan sear grouper until cooked through, 4 minutes per side.  Remove and keep warm.  Add white wine, scraping up brown bits and reducing slightly.  Add lemon juice, butter, capers, and lemon slices.  Saute until reduced.  Add grouper, coating with sauce.  Garnish with parsley, season with pepper and serve.

Classic Strawberry Pie

Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Chilling time: 4 ½ hours
Serves: 6 – 8

2 lbs. fresh strawberries, rinsed and trimmed
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. lemon juice
1 pkg. unflavored gelatin
1 prebaked pie crust
1 c. whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. sugar

Set aside 20 berries and slice. Quarter remaining berries, toss with sugar and lemon juice.  Let stand 30 minutes.  Drain berries reserving juice.  Add water to juice to measure 2 cups.  Add gelatin, let sit 1 minute, simmer, stirring until gelatin dissolved.  Add berries, transfer to metal bowl. Chill 20 minutes.   Layer pie crust with berry mixture, fresh berries, mixture.  Chill 4 hours.  Whip cream with sugar and vanilla until stiff.

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