Caprese BLT...and a few more tips

I've been on the lookout for quick, delicious recipes since we've been here in England. I've found that by taking just a few extra steps, you can make a very simple meal a bit more tasty...

Taco Salad - so simple, but to add an extra depth of flavor make a little vinaigrette to toss on the lettuce. All you need is 2 Tbs. lime juice, 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/3 cup olive oil and salt & pepper. Whisk it together and drizzle over lettuce.

French bread pizzas - Mix together 6 Tbs. olive oil, 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 Tbs. finely chopped basil and 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes. Microwave on high until fragrant (30-60 sec). Brush 1/2 of oil mixture over crust and edges of a halved loaf of bread and arrange cut-side up on foil lined sheet. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over bread and bake until cheese is browned (3 min.).
Then, to add more flavor to store bought pizza sauce, add 2 Tbs. chopped basil, and the remaining oil mixture together before spreading it on the prepared bread.

These quick additions make all the difference!

And a new sandwich that has made it onto our list of favorites is this Caprese BLT (via cooks country) which combined a classic blt with the flavors of my favorite tomato, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar caprese. YUM!
Caprese BLT
2 medium tomatoes, sliced thin
table salt
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 loaf ciabatta
1 cup fresh packed basil leaves
1/3 cup mayo
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 tsp. hot sauce
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp & drained
4 leaves romaine lettuce
8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced thin

1. Place tomato slices on several paper towels and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit for 15 minutes, then press with additional paper towels.
2. Mix oil and vinegar together in small bowl. Slice bread in half horizontally and use fingers to discard all but 1/2 inch of interior crumb.
3. Puree basil, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, hot sauce and 1/2 tsp. salt until smooth. Spread basil may on both cut sides of bread. Sprinkle bacon on bottom half of bread. Shingle tomatoes and mozzarella alternately over both sides of bread and drizzle with oil and vinegar mixture.
4. Place both sides of sandwich, face up on baking sheet and broil until cheese is just melted. Take out of oven, top with lettuce and put both sides together. Cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces and serve.