fennel & green bean salad w/ roasted tomatoes



fennel & green bean salad w/ roasted tomatoes
and moscow mule cocktail

 it was just me tonight so i cut down my portion size and raided the fridge for something quick and simple.  it got up to almost 80 degrees this afternoon so i was in the mood for crunchy, light and crisp.  i think you could also use those words to describe the cocktail i whipped up for myself as well...  i know, it's only monday.  don't judge me.



prep time: 10 mins
cook time: 20 mins
ingredients (serves one):

• 1 roma tomato
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
• 1 tablespoon panko crumbs
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 bulb sliced fennel
• 1/2 corgette, sliced in half cut into chunks
• after you halve the corgette, slice the first chunk on a diagonal and then rotate the remaining half a third of a turn. cut on the diagonal again and you'll get chunks that have a little more dimension than just half moons or circles.
• 1 handful green beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (1 for tomatoes, 1 for the pan)
• salt & pepper to taste

preheat oven to 425 degrees.  slice the tomato in half and sliver off a small portion of the skin from the round side so the halves will stand up while roasting. mix together parmesan, panko, thyme and 1 tablespoon olive oil. line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the tomatoes on top. mound the bread crumb mixture on top of each of the tomatoes. lightly drizzle the with olive oil and place the baking sheet in the center rack of the oven. let roast for about 20 minutes or until tops are toasty and crispy.

meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium high heat. toss the fennel, green beans and corgette into the pan.  you want to keep the veggies crisp so don't overcook.  listen to them sear a bit and toss them around every 2 minutes or so. once a few of the veggie edges have started to crisp up, pull the pan off the heat and season with salt.

moscow mule
it's spritely and tangy.  just what you need on one of the first warm days of spring!

ingredients (serves one):

• 1 shot vodka (1.5 oz)
• 2 shots ginger beer (3 oz, i used an organic brand called 'ginger brew,' found at whole foods)
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger puree
• 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar

mix all ingredients and shake well.  pour over ice and enjoy, happy monday : )