Hey you guuuys! I am so excited to be sharing today’s post. It’s a little bit about Martha Stewart, donuts, a cook book my friends at Macy’s and a really super-delicious tomato mozzarella salad – a salad inspired by Martha herself.

If we’re friends on social media (and I am sure we are, right?) you probably saw the slightly stalker-like posts I shared last week about my visit with Martha…

Okay. So I wasn’t really that intense (I hope), but I was very excited that Macy’s sent out a copy of her latest book – Martha’s American Food – and invited me to pop in for a visit to get it signed while she was in town.

I have to be honest. I don’t know that I was expecting all that much, after all I’ve met Martha at functions before and the exchange was just okay.

Here’s the thing…last Thursday I fell in love with Martha all over again.

It started as a subtle romance really…

I arrived at the venue a little bit early and started doing a little light shopping…

Two pairs of shoes, a new Martha Stewart donut pan (you know my obsession with this pan and donuts in general) and several photos later I started feeling a little bit more giddy.

I have to tell you, Martha’s products (’cause for sure we’re on a first name basis now) are so lovely. I could find a home for each and every one in my kitchen. For the time being though, my wallet limits me to the simple donut pan.

ANYWAY…

When Martha floated into the room, the collective level of excitement picked me up and carried me right over to the table where she was sitting.

I did get my book signed…

Not only did we have an absolutely pleasant exchange, but at the end of what I can only assume was a long day, she added a little flourish to the T on my name. It’s in the details people…

I know that her direct style might rub some the wrong way, but she says what she thinks. Straight up.

So, when she said she’d take a business card and that she looks at one new blog each day, I believed her. Now, maybe she will not ever look at mine, but I love that she’s paying attention to what we’re all doing on the net. A blog a day is pretty connected for a 72-year-old woman, no?

So yeah. I love Martha Stewart.

Also, turns out? I also love her new book Martha’s American Food. It’s full of loads of wonderful traditional American dishes with freshy-fresh ingredients. AND…Can you believe it’s her 77th book? Now THAT is the mark of an American icon.

I was so inspired by the book that I took off to the farmer’s market the first chance I got to pick up a few fresh ingredients of my own. The result? A delicious, crowd-pleasing avocado, tomato and mozzarella salad.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad Inspired by Martha Stewart

Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 box grape tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil
1 container mozzarella
EVOO
Balsamic vinegar

Instructions:
1. Cut up avocado, tomatoes and basil.
2. Toss avocado, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil in a bowl.
3. Drizzle salad with EVOO and balsamic vinegar to taste. 

If you’ve followed my site for long at all, you’ll already know I am not one for measurements. I like to cook for the size and taste of the audience I am sharing my dishes with.

You can see I’ve listed container…each “container was about two cups. I took this dish to a large family dinner. The main point is to have about an even quantity of the avocado, tomatoes and mozzarella, with the basil, EVOO and balsamic vinegar to taste.

Turns out this was one of the best summer salad dishes I’ve made in a while. Thanks for the inspiration Martha!

Thanks to Everywhere Society, who reached out on behalf of Macy’s with the cookbook, invitation to meet Martha and sponsored the development of the Martha Stewart Inspired Tomato Mozzarella Salad and today’s post.