A Perfect Fall Meal!

Well I think it's safe to say we've officially taken the jump from summer to fall.  Even though we spent the weekend camping and at the beach today it is windy, cold, and cloudy.  It seemed like the perfect day for a vegetarian nut loaf and some mashed potatoes.  Comfort food at its best.  I think we'll save this one for other gloomy days, even baby liked it (and she doesn't like much)!

Vegetarian Nut Loaf

1.5 cups walnuts

3/4 cup sunflower seeds

2 tbsp butter

1 chopped onion

3 cloves minced garlic

3 stalks chopped celery

4 shredded carrots

1.5 cups sliced mushrooms

1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes

1/3 cup vegetable stock

3 tbsp fresh thyme

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

salt and pepper

1.5-2 cups bread crumbs

3 tbsp ground flax seed + 3 tbsp water

1/4 cup ketchup + 1/4 cup brown sugar

*In a food processor, pulse together walnuts and sunflower seeds.  Transfer to a large bowl.

*Saute onion, celery and garlic in butter until soft

*Add carrots, and mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes for another 5 minutes.

*Add stock, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper and reduce.

*Transfer to a food processor and pulse together until mixed well.

*Transfer to walnut mixture and add crumbs and flax seed mixture.  Mix well.

*Pour into a greased loaf dish and brush with ketchup mixture.

*Bake (covered) at 350 for 45 minutes.  Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes.

*Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

Super-Grouchy-Pasta-Monday

Today is super-grouchy-Monday, I'm not sure why that is but I'm going with it.  On super-grouchy-Monday I didn't want to put any extra effort into supper and had conveniently planned this no prep meal with a small prep side dish!  Realizing that was the only non supergrouchy thing about this Monday ;) 

We are big on walnuts in our house- my daughter even has an afternoon walnut snack  every day when she gets home from school and I often find my 3 year old sneaking into the pantry to get fistfuls.  I find it pretty cute that she thinks that she has to sneak around to get them.  Tonight's meal is brought to you by the Simple Suppers  cookbook, and a roasted red pepper salad.  I think it is finally time to punch out my parenting time card and go to bed.  Tomorrow has to be better than today, right?  (Please say yes!)

Pasta with Broccoli, Edamame, and Walnuts

 1 box of rotini, cooked and drained

1/4 cup olive oil

1 chopped onion

4 cloves minced garlic

3 cups bite-sized pieces of broccoli

1 1/2 cups shelled edamame

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup chopped thyme

red pepper flakes

1 cup chopped walnuts

salt and pepper

feta cheese (the recipe says parmesan but we were out!)

*Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet on low.  Add onion and cook until translucent.  Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

*Add broccoli and 1 cup of water, cover and cook on high for 2 minutes.

*Add edamame, salt, and herbs and cook for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

*In a serving bowl, toss together pasta, broccoli mixture, walnuts and cheese.  Serve immediately.