Staycation Recipes from Event Planner Nicky Mesiah
Nicky Mesiah, one of Montclair’s best-loved caterers and event planners, is known for her focus on healthy eating  even desserts. You’ll never be the same after one bite of her no-guilt, award-winning “Miss Nicky’s Gourmet Toffee.” But first things first.  Here are some of her favorite summer recipes that take less than 15 minutes to prepare. Perfect for a picnic in one of Montclair’s parks or a quick dinner after a day of shopping and taking in the local attractions. For more recipes & info visit:  www.missnickys.com. 

 Nicky’s Quick & Easy (Q&E) Vegetarian Spinach Corkscrew Pasta Salad:

(Whole-wheat pasta, red potatoes or-refrigerated soy noodles can be substituted for pasta)

-1/2 lb. of spinach corkscrew pasta

-1 teaspoon of fine French sea salt

-2 tablespoons of ‘Herbs de Provence’

-1 tablespoon of thyme

-1 tablespoon of olive oil - a mild olive oil

Add enough water to pot and boil water.  Then add all of the above and cook as directed, about 13 minutes-al dente-(not mushy) 

Drain pasta but immediately mix these dressing ingredients into the warm drained pasta:

-1/2 jar of feta cheese in olive oil & red peppercorns or, about 2 cups of feta cheese

-2 Cloves of fresh garlic (minced)

-1/4 cup of sundried tomatoes-drained or, (dried sundried tomatoes)

-Marinated chick peas in onion & white balsamic vinegar*-drained (optional)

Mix all of the above & squeeze about 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon or, 1 tbsp. of (frozen) Tropicana Lemon Concentrate.  For a lovely added kick, top with herb pepper

Although the chick peas provide protein, this would also be great with bits of pepperoni, prosciutto, chicken or shrimp.  

Nicky’s ‘Q&E’ Chick Pea Salad:

-1 16 oz. can of chick peas (drained)                            1 cup of champagne vinegar or, mild light vinegar

-1/2 small sliced onion                                                        1 teaspoon of oregano

-2 cloves of garlic-minced                                                        1 cup of grape/cherry tomatoes

-Fresh Mozzarella cheese*                                                        ½ cup of sundried tomatoes*

Combine all ingredients into a shallow bowl so the chick peas will absorb the vinegar & spices-about 2 hrs.-and toss from time to time.  I love it served at room temperature.

Top w/fresh mozzarella-my favorites are from  *Joe Bartoni’s, 151 Valley Rd, or, feta w/peppercorns.  Eat alone or, spoon chick pea salad on a green salad, mix in a pasta salad too!

Nicky’s ‘Quick & Easy’ Vinaigrette:

To me, the secret to great vinaigrette is great oil+great vinegar+fresh garlic plus…

-½ cup Olive Oil - or, a great mild-(first press or, extra virgin olive oil)*

-About ¼ c. White Balsamic Vinegar or, (Champagne vinegar is my preference)

-4 Fresh cloves of Garlic – squeeze thru garlic press

-1 tsp. Dried Fennel

-1/4 tsp. French Sea Salt

-1/8 tsp. Celery Seed

-Toasted Pecans* (chopped finely)

-1 tsp. Herb Pepper

-Tablespoon each of the following: dried cherries or, raisins

- (optional, add a tablespoon of the feta cheese/red peppercorn in jar or, goat cheese, blue cheese for added ‘umph’!)

To me, a little bit of vinegar goes a long way. Use it to taste, not to overpower.  A light oil and light vinegar lets the spices and ‘tastes’ come through. Mix all of the ingredients in a jar and let stand at room temperature for an hour or more to allow flavors to meld.  Yield is for a large bowl of salad. *Olive oil from Joe Bartoni’s, 151 Valley Rd.

Nicky’s ‘Q&E’ Crunchy Anti-Oxidant Cruciferous Salad:

1 Bag of pre-washed Broccoli

½ Cup of chopped red onions or, Spanish onions

½ Cup mandarin oranges-drained

½ Cup of Toasted pecans

¾ Cup of Dried Cherries + dark raisins

Today’s Vinaigrette Dressing – Mix in a jar:

1/2 Cup of Pumpkin Oil*

¼ Cup of Fig Balsamic Vinegar - season to taste

5 Cloves of fresh crushed Garlic

1/8  Teaspoon of Dried Capers (optional & naturally salty)

Fresh Green Peppercorns* - ground

Pour dressing over the broccoli and let stand for about an hour at room temperature.  This is a great salad for a hot summer day too.  Vinaigrette can also be used over the spinach pasta instead of the dressing listed with the above spinach pasta salad & can be used over green salad, Jersey tomatoes w/fresh mozzarella, over chick pea salad instead of above chick pea marinade/dressing.

Tip: When you purchase sundried tomatoes in oil & garlic or, the feta cheese w/red peppercorns, reserve that seasoned oil and use as a salad dressing. 

Nicky’s Q&E High Energy Iron Salad:

-Bag of Spinach or, fresh spinach

(Fancy lettuce can be used too, but remember: iron is roughage, lettuce is not.  Spinach provides more iron)

-Fresh Dill or, Fresh Basil Chopped (intersperse into salad greens)

-1/4 finely chopped red onion

-1 cup of Mandarin Oranges –drained

-1/2 cup Sundried Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes would work too, no soggy tomatoes)

-Marinated Chick Peas –in dressing above (loaded with protein)

-1/4 cup of Dark Raisins – loaded with iron

-(Cut up a rotisserie chicken from the store to save time, or-add your favorite protein)

-Cucumbers

-Chopped zucchini

-Chopped yellow squash

-Grated Carrots for color

-Red Bell Pepper- beta carotene and pretty

-Artichoke hearts –drain if in oil, but they’re also available packed in water

-Feta Cheese w/red peppercorns in jar or, blue-vein cheeses add a wonderful ‘kick’!

Mix all of the above or, layer it beautifully in a bowl.  If you don’t add watery items like sliced tomatoes, this salad will keep a few days without dressing.  Once you add dressing, a salad will wilt.

Dessert
Miss Nicky’s Gourmet Toffee is the favorite confection of locals and celebrites such as Dr. Maya Angelou, Magic Johnson and Bobbie Brown. No high fructose corn syrup or added preservatives. Flavors include the Original Gourmet Almond Toffee, Cashew Toffee, and Miss Nicky’s Combo Cashew/Pecan/Almond Gourmet Toffee topped with chocolate and chopped walnuts and nuts. Nut-free, chocolate-free and sugar-free toffee available. Sold at the following Montclair  locations:

-Jacklyn Kling Gallery – 106 Walnut St, 973.746.6800

-Noteworthy Stationers at 24 S. Fullerton - 973.783.1522

-Chelsea Square on Valley Rd in Upper Montclair, 973.746.6468