First Day of School 2016 and Food

Whelp, the 2016 School year started last week.  It has been actually the hardest for me, as Gabby Is a senior this year and Sophia is now in Jr. High.

"Sisters"

My Baby Growing up way to fast

Gabby Dressed up for Marching Band practice, the theme was NIGHTMARE.....

THIS GIRL FRIGHTS BACK..What ever she faces should be afraid, very afraid.

Had a Greek dinner one night, made homemade tzatziki, grilled meat, zucchini,  onions, peppers and tomatoes.  Served with Naan Basmati, and olives. Oh, and a whole head of garlic...(I highly suggest not eating a whole head of garlic, not unless you want to avoid talking to people in public...

when I grill Kabobs I really like to keep the meat with the meat, the chicken with the chicken and tomatoes with the tomatoes.  Peppers and onions I separate too, but sometimes I put them together:  on the zucchini (same would go for yellow squash) just simply cut in half and no need to skewer, I don't no about you but I only have so many skewers.

   Sure, it looks all so pretty when all one skewer, but I want it to cook evenly and taste good!

My gorgeous and even YUMMIER Salad Nicoise I made for Julia Child's Birthday. 

and simply one of  my Fav Go to Dinners....Roasted potatoes,  Sauteed Kale and Cannellini beans. Crispy  lemon chicken thighs, salmon, Bruschetta.  


yesterday was a total junk food day, ramen, hotdogs and a root beer float, got to reel it back in today..about to make me a ceaser salad!
As always, if you want to know what I am up to, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

CRAZY EASY ~super yummy~ less then 10 ingredient PASTA

If your like me, on most nights you need something super quick, hopefully not over processed.  During summer this is so easy! But I can almost guarantee you that you will have awesome results in the middle of January when everything is iced out (just will have to pay more for ingredients, all ingredients should be at most wally worlds year round)

As Stated this is a 10 ingredient or less recipe.  An Ina Garten aka Barefoot Contessa Recipe...kinda of, she borrowed it and shared it with us common folk.  

but where I made it better is I seriously cut the time down from when you start from when it GETS IN YOUR BELLY...

first off the recipe...

4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved 

Good olive oil 

2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves) 

18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving 

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 

Kosher salt 

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

1 pound dried angel hair pasta 

1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving 

Combine the cherry tomatoes, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours. 

Just before you’re ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful – it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving. 

sounds great right? More so during the midst of Basil and tomato season.  Even more awesome when ingredients come from your garden or local farmers market.

I grew purple basil this year, it is just beautiful. I have 4 varieties of Basil in my container garden and all is very plentiful. 

BUT 2 VERY important points I want to make real quick.

if you don't have 4 hours for all of this to sit 'cause your peeps are hungry NOW, ....SIMPLE 

microwave tomato mixture for 5 minutes, then let stand 1 hour. I used a Pyrex dish with a lid.

alas, no fresh ingredients, still super easy on the family food budget to bring together!! 

Enjoy!

thank you to Sophia for being my Parmasean Fairy Dust Maker 

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Gal

ON EBAY.

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it feels so good to create again and have ideas.  Stay tuned!