Lots of Garlic Pesto Sauce...

I know, I know.. where have I been?  I am so behind on blogging but I do plan on catching up.  I have so many delicious recipes to share!  I put this recipe on my menu a few weeks ago but it kept getting pushed back and replaced because I wasn't really that into making it.  What a mistake!  I made it today right before hot yoga and it was all I could think of during my class.  I kept wondering if the kids had eaten it all and if there was any left for me.  It smelled and looked so delicious and it tasted even better!  I served it with a pepper salad... I had to use them up ;)  Hope you are all enjoying your summer.. we have been busy but only with fun stuff :)

Pesto Sauce

8 cloves of minced garlic

100 g of fresh basil

1 cup roasted pine nuts

1 1/2-2 cups freshly grated parmesan

1 tsp italian seasoning

salt and pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

*In a food processor, pulse together garlic, basil, pine nuts, parmesan and seasonings.  Be careful not to over process.

*Pour olive oil in slowly while mixing.

*Mix together with cooked pasta and top with parmesan cheese

Two new salads in two days.

It's been hot.  Really very hot.  We have been practically living on salads and veggie burgers so I figured I could easily blog about at least 2 of them today.  I have a huge backlog of other photos/recipes to share but I never seem to get around to it.  Soon?  I hope so!  Yesterday we had these black bean burgers and an asparagus salad--super simple and delicious.  Today was these pinto bean sausages with rice and a cucumber salad--also very quick and easy!  This weekend we are off camping so I hope to share some of our meals from that on Monday.  Have a great weekend everybody!!

Asparagus Salad

1 bunch asparagus, lightly steamed and cut

1 finely chopped red pepper

1/2 finely chopped red onion

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

juice from half lemon

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp dijon mustard

salt and pepper

*In a large bowl, mix together asparagus, red pepper, and onion

*In small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over vegetables.

*Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Cucumber Salad

2 cucumber, halved-seeded-and sliced

3 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

juice from half lemon

3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

*Whisk together all ingredients except the cucumber

*Pour over cucumber and chill for at least 1 hour.

Creamy Asparagus Pasta

We had another full day out in the sun so it was nice to have a fairly quick meal to look forward to.  As expected, the kids LOVED the pasta (even bebe!) so this is going to become a regular in our meal rotation.  I got the recipe from Shannon's blog and only changed a few things.  We also had a yellow and red pepper "salad" and some parmesan tofu fingers.  The best part of the meal?  That I skipped hot yoga in order to enjoy the food with my family and the fact that we are now on our way out for ice cream.  Guess what?!!  I LOVE SUMMER.

Creamy Asparagus Pasta

 1 box cooked fettuccine

3 tbsp butter

1 chopped onion

6 cloves minced garlic

 3 cups chopped asparagus

2 tsp Italian seasoning

salt and pepper

1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 cup whipping cream

400 grams parmesan cheese

*Saute onion in butter until very soft, add garlic and asparagus and cook for 3 minutes.

*Add stock and seasoning and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes.

*Stir in whipping cream and cook until asparagus is tender.

*Toss together with pasta and parmesan cheese.

I heart summer!

I have spent almost no time inside my house this week.  Well, that isn't entirely true... I have spent almost no awake time in my house this week.  The kids and I have been to the beach, the wading pool, the park, camp, the backyard... It's been a really good time.  Meal times though have consisted mainly of picnics, leftovers and very quick and easy meals.  Today was only slightly different in that we had a southwestern rice casserole from last week that I never posted the recipe for and some chickpea burgers that I literally threw together.  It was nice to have a heartier meal :)

Southwestern Rice Casserole

1 chopped onion

3 cloves minced garlic

1 chopped red pepper

1/2 cup yogurt

1/2 cup milk

4 cups cooked (brown) rice

1 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

1 cup salsa

2 cups shredded tex mex cheese mix

*Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, add pepper and cook 5 more minutes

*In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients.

*Transfer to a 9x13 casserole dish and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Repeats and a Blueberry Tart Dessert.

Happy Canada Day!  We spent the day as a family not. doing. anything.  Maybe I should be more specific... we didn't have any plans to go anywhere, or do anything.  We did clean out the garage and do some housework.  We played (and played and played and played...), but we didn't have to do anything.  And that is very strange for our family.  We ended up inviting my parents and brother over for supper, we had lentil burgers, corn on the cob, and a green salad with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette (wondering if I've shared the recipe before?).  I saw this recipe a few days ago and figured today was the perfect day to try it.  It went over very very well.  There wasn't a cumb left!  I made a few minor changes to the recipe, so here is my take on it!

Blueberry Tart 

 

Crust:

3/4 cup toasted walnuts

3/4 graham crackers

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tbsp oil

pinch of salt

filling:

1 cup softened cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup real maple syrup + 2 tbsp more

juice from 1/2 lemon

2 cups blueberries

*In a food processor, pulse together graham cracker and walnuts until it resembles a fine crumb.

*Transfer to a large bowl and add butter, oil, and salt.  Mix well.
*Press into bottom of a tart pan (or pie pan) and up the sides at least 1/2 inch.

*Bake at 325 for 13-14 minutes.  Allow to cool.

*In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, 1/4 cup maple syrup and lemon juice.

*Pour into crust and top with blueberries.

*Drizzle remaining 2 tbsp syrup on top of berries and transfer to freezer for at least 1 hour

I don't often post pictures of my children on this blog but I had to share this one.  I think he enjoyed his dessert, don't you?!  :)