• Cocktails & Caterers

Cooking can be challenging for a plethora of reasons. Let's have a go at it with a few ingredients and simple meal ideas. Once you get comfortable knowing that cooking is not an exact science, you'll feel better in the kitchen. I dusted off my camera and paid a visit to my good friend, personal trainer, athlete and foodie extraordinaire Cherise Matthews. She's all kinds of amazing and the most incredible motivator you could meet. She's here to help those of us who are culinarily challenged (like me). Don't get me wrong, I've got a few go-to recipes down but beyond those I'm pretty stumped and resort to takeout.

Cherise created some dishes that are not only (visually) delicious but healthy and so easy - there are literally no recipes. In fact, when I asked her for the recipes she just shook her head at me. I'm here to tell you, you can do this! Read on if you want to step up your kitchen game and scroll to the end for the perfect summer salsa.

Pretty Up Your Fruit Plate

How gorgeous is this fruit platter? Your mouth is watering a little, isn't it? Anyone and I mean anyone can put this together. All you need is a knife, some fruit and a pretty platter. Choose whatever's in season and be sure to pick contrasting colors if you want your fruit to scream eat me. White serving-ware is our preference to showcase that sexy fruit. You would for sure be the hero with this healthy and beautiful presentation.

You'll Want Your Greek Salad Tossed

The Greek salad is so easy, but seems like it takes a ton of effort. It doesn't. You just need to grab a few ingredients. Cherise used cherry tomatoes and baby cucumbers, but you can use any kind you want. There are no rules. Just grab the following to create a beautiful and healthy Greek Salad.
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red Onion
- Feta
- Olive Oil and Salt & Pepper 

Your Sausage Is Impressive

This sausage dish will knock it out of the park and it's so easy. It's shell pasta, Italian sausage, olive oil, parsley and parmesan cheese. That's it! Simply boil your noodles and cook your sausage then throw it in a bowl.

I Don't Mean To Get Cheesy

The Caprese Salad is my absolute personal favorite. I could eat it every single day. Get some tomatoes (whatever kind you want), some mozzarella cheese, basil, pine nuts and and some olive oil and a balsamic glaze ... calm down, it's ready made.

Oh, Baby. You're A Catch.

This is so easy. Don't be afraid of cooking fish. Get a piece of salmon and bake it at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Give it a little love with salt, pepper and a little olive oil. That's it. Roast some Brussels sprouts at 400 degrees for 30-45, give them a little love with salt, pepper and a little olive oil. Tear open a bag of brown rice from Trader Joe's and voila.

Salmon South of The Border

This is a yummy way to serve salmon too. Bake it at 375 degrees for 15 minutes and serve with black beans and brown rice. Slice and avocado and the salsa of your choice.

Veggie Delight

Do you have a vegetarian in the house? This is a great option even if you're just sick of meat. I don't know, it's your life. Black beans, brown rice, broccoli and avocado - it's not a recipe guys, it's just putting things together.

I Really Kale About You

Sauté some Italian sausage, sauté some kale and put them together. It's the perfect marriage. Garnish with a tomato or an avocado or whatever you want. Easy and super yummy. Serve as is or throw it in a lettuce cup or a tortilla or get crazy and serve it over quinoa or rice.

I Don't Want To Taco About It

Bake your salmon at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, heat up a tortilla and top with salsa and avocado. Don't like salmon? Use something else. Just make some tacos.

Everyday I'm Brusselin'

Roast some Brussels sprouts at 400 degrees for 30-45, give them a little love with salt, pepper and a little olive oil and bake your salmon at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Add a little bit slice of tasty seasoned bread. If you ever forget what temp and for how long to bake salmon after reading this post, well I do not know what to tell you.

Tuna InTo This Dish

Tuna lettuce cups are tasty and healthy. We don't use mayo because frankly it's just really ucky. Stir in a little mustard and a bunch of lemon juice. Butter lettuce make for really cute cups. Fill 'em up and eat.

Tuna Up The Heat

Prep your tuna with a little mustard and a bunch of lemon juice and grill it with a tomato and some cheese. Add some broccoli for some color.

I Value Our Friend Chip

This is sooooooo good. It's yellow and red cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, avocado, salt, pepper, garlic and lime juice.  Have this with some chips, on a taco or serve over your baked salmon.

If this post made you  thirsty, be sure to check out The Perfect Cocktails for Your Summer  Parties. if it made you hungry, be sure to head over to Food Stations You Will Crave At Your Wedding.