Mediterranean Orzo Salad is perfect for summertime meals This Mediterranean Orzo Salad can be made hours up to a day or two ahead of when you plan to serve it. It keeps well, because of the oil and vinegar dressing. In fact, we like it better the next day. That is the beauty of a marinated salad. The dressing sinks into the ingredients and melds all the flavors together. This is a flexible recipe Though it's called orzo salad, you can use any pasta that you prefer. Orzo is nice and small, ... Read More about Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Pasta
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Spicy Peanut Noodles are Asian-inspired goodness This recipe has been kicking around my various blogs for years, and once I got to this version, I have never been able to improve upon it. Spicy Peanut Noodles is made with pantry ingredients you probably already have, plus a few veggies. The best part though, is how fast and easy it is to make. It is perfect for a busy weeknight, or after a day doing chores and errands on the weekend. It is so delicious and special, that you can serve it to ... Read More about Spicy Peanut Noodles
Vermicelli with Shrimp and Fresh Herbs
Vermicelli with Shrimp and Herbs is easy and delicious This is one of those weeknight meals that seems a lot fancier than the actual effort it takes to make. Vermicelli with Shrimp and Herbs is a favorite of ours, partly because it is so easy, but mostly because it is so good. Before I go any further, I have to mention that I first talked about this recipe when I partnered with AeroGarden to create recipes using fresh herbs or veggies grown with one of their hydroponic garden set ups. ... Read More about Vermicelli with Shrimp and Fresh Herbs
Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is an easy weeknight meal If you have a busy family, this time of year can be just a bit overwhelming. The kids have school and activities, parents have work. On top of that, we're all getting ready for the holidays. A quick, easy, and really yummy Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese is just what you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry. I think just about all kids love macaroni and cheese. Even picky kids seem to enjoy this creamy, smooth version. And, it ... Read More about Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese
Basil Pesto
Classic Pesto or Basil Pesto? This could be called "Classic Pesto". I'm pretty sure Basil Pesto is the classic combination of ingredients to make this bright and delicious addition to your repertoire of sauces. If your garden is anything like mine, basil is abundant this time of year. I pinch off my basil plants throughout the summer, using the leaves in salads and veggies and pasta dishes. It's prime basil time right now So now, I have some beautiful, compact plants with lots of bright ... Read More about Basil Pesto
Bowtie Pasta with Roasted Broccoli
I do love the holidays, and all that it takes to get ready to share special times with our family and friends. But - it can get really hectic sometimes. And for a lot of people, add in stuff like kids to take care of, a full time job and other obligations - it's easy to see why so many people just put their heads down and wish for January to get here. I can't help you do your shopping or baking, but I might be able to help you with a fast and easy dinner that everyone will love, and is ... Read More about Bowtie Pasta with Roasted Broccoli
Kale Walnut Pesto
One thing that enjoys a cool summer is kale. Man, do we have kale! Usually, we have a lot of kale early in the summer, and then again in the fall, but this summer the spring kale never tried to go to seed, so it is still going strong. Every morning, when I go down to tend to the chickens, I make a detour through the garden to grab a handful of kale for my breakfast smoothie. Often we have it for dinner as well, and we are still overloaded. So, I wanted to find a way to use up a lot of kale ... Read More about Kale Walnut Pesto
Chorizo Macaroni and Cheese
This time of year, I starting shifting how I cook. Cocktail hour on the porch requires a jacket and shoes, and something delectable baking in the oven is nice when we finally wander back into the house. We go from grilling and salads to something along the lines of comforting cheesy casseroles with combos of pasta, veggies and whatever protein is close to hand. This past weekend, the protein was chorizo. Chorizo is sausage, Spanish, Portuguese and Mexican in origin. There are different ... Read More about Chorizo Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
The stream of ripe tomatoes that ends in my kitchen is starting slow down now. I always have mixed feelings about that happening. On one hand, I'm heartily and truly tired of doing up tomatoes for this coming winter. I've got somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 quarts of various forms of tomatoes, from sauce and stewed, to diced, to concentrated tomato paste and various soup bases. The nightmares of being chased by 5 gallon pails of tomatoes have just about ended, and my hand that was frozen ... Read More about Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil