My Favorite Snack

Some would call this a small meal.



It's not. It's just a snack.  Thirty minutes later it becomes an appetizer, and thirty minutes after that a side dish.

If a little EVOO really is good for the heart, M and I will be there with Rachel Ray at the end.



Just look at that bread...



Really look...



So what's the recipe for bread this good?



1 husband who loves bread as much as you do.

That's it. Someday I will need to document his method to share, but for now I'm keeping all the carbs to myself.

He makes the seasonings for the olive oil too. This time Boris helped.



But, that picture is blurry. So, let's move on.

The reason I have been without any recipe posts, is because we made a bunch of these a few weekends back and froze multiple dinners.



We've been alternating between that and hot dogs.



We have extreme tastes.

And, I suppose it wouldn't be fair to leave out this delicacy that I've been enjoying every night.



Oh- and peas. We still like peas...



Although, peaches are gaining.

Watch out peas.

Boris Pasta with Flowers on the Side

The night before the 10K we figured we better load up on some carbs, and I also wanted to put Boris to good use.  This hybrid of several different pasta recipes, topped with some seasoned up grilled chicken, turned out really well.   Tad bit lighter because there is no cheese (I know, I can't believe I made something without cheese) and the veggies and chicken make up the majority of the dish.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups penne pasta, cooked al dente


• 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables, throw in with the pasta the last 4 min to cook


• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast seasoned with S&P, thyme, cooked on grill pan over med-high


• 1 T butter


• 1 T olive oil


• 1 tea minced garlic


• 1/4 cup lemon juice (yes, an actual fresh lemon with zest would be better... I just didn't have one)


• 1/2 cup sour cream


• Fresh basil, chopped (about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup? I just used what Boris was willing to part with)

Method to the Madness

• Melt butter & olive oil over med heat


• Saute garlic, careful not to burn it


• Add in lemon juice... let it reduce for just a minute or so


• Add in sour cream, stir together until smooth. Reduce heat to low.


• Toss sauce, pasta, veggies and basil together.  Top with chicken and enjoy!

Speaking of dinner... pictured below is our new, albeit temporary, addition to the table.  I've NEVER been one to talk about or notice flowers and I am certainly not a gardener.  However, lately I've begun to notice just how inviting they can make a room.  Our front yard has 2 very mature hydrangeas (trees? bushes? plants?) and since we were having friends over for dinner on Monday I decided to clip a few to put in the vase I dug out from a past Valentine's Day.  I can honestly say they have brightened my mood every time I see them on the table.  Now I just need someone to teach me how to arrange them, properly clip them, and plant new ones... which sounds like a lot of work.  Maybe I'll just enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor for now.

Boris the Basil

The boy's name Boris \b(o)-ris\ is pronounced BOR-iss. It is of Russian and Slavic origin, and its meaning is "small; battle glory".

M brought home a little baby basil yesterday.  Because this is my first herb attempt and my thumb has no reputation; I thought I'd start the little guy out with an inspirational name and cross my fingers that self fulfilling prophecies work.  Looking forward to lots of fresh pesto and basil mozzarella pizzas... gardening tips and recipes are welcome!