Given the current economic situation, I believe we all are watching how much we spend on food.  I know my habits have changed dramatically.  Whereas before I would just pick up whatever I wanted, I now look at what is on sale and make more choices from this mindset.

Having said this, I still like to splurge occasionally.  Farmer’s Market in Boulder has a stand where they sell hothouse tomatoes.  They are expensive so I don’t often purchase them but sometimes it is just worth the money.  (I no longer buy tomatoes at the market most of the year because I find them tasteless.) 

I was so ready to celebrate spring that I decided Sunday afternoon was the day to splurge.  Late afternoon the sun finally came out and that meant it was time to relax with one of my favorite dishes and a nice glass of red wine.  Not only was it a treat but it was absolutely so tasty that I just had to share it with you!

Ingredients:

3 Vine Ripened Tomatoes, thickly sliced (don’t even bother to make this unless you’ve got good tomatoes!)

1 container of Mozzarella Cheese, the kind stored in water, sliced almost as thick as the tomatoes

1 batch of Basil, sliced in slivers (this was also fresh at Farmer’s Market and cheaper than at Whole Foods)

1 ripe Avocado, sliced

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Good Quality Balsamic Vinegar

Celtic Salt

Fresh Ground Pepper

To Serve:

Place tomatoes on plate.  Drizzle with olive oil and celtic salt.  Sprinkle half of basil over tomatoes.  Top with mozaarella and drizzle with a bit more olive oil and celtic salt.  Place avocado slices on top and sprinkle with pepper.  Put the rest of the basil on top of this.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar over the entire thing.  Sit down with a friend, relax and get ready for one of the best appetizers I can think of.  Enjoy!

Serves 2-4 depending on how much you want to eat!