Everything salad

One thing that I loved to do with my garden box this summer, was pick the fresh veggies, chop them up and mix them together with whatever else I had in the kitchen that would seem to fit!

 

So clean and healthy, and a great snack.  From the garden for this one I used:  hot banana peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro.  I added chopped cucumber and red onion, then drizzled olive oil and squeezed some fresh lime juice over it.

 

Aahhh, the days of summer...  

 

 

 

 

 

Baked tomatoes with mozzarella.

 

 

Easiest and most delicious side dish ever- and definitely something different!  I saw the idea on Pinterest and decided to give it a try, even thought I'm not crazy about toms.  Man, did I love it!  I served it with pork chops and rolls on a weeknight of course.  Another component of a 30 minute meal...

 

Baked tomatoes with mozzarella.

Olive oil

Large tomato, sliced

Cracked black pepper

Oregano

Shredded mozzarella cheese

 

 

 

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drizzle glass pie pan with olive oil and add sliced tomatoes to the dish.  Top with cracked black pepper and oregano then add shredded mozzarella cheese on top of seasonings.  Add more seasonings if you like on top of cheese. 

Bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

 

Seriously- that simple and that good.

 

 

 

<3tomsLML 

30 minute Linguine with Vodka Sauce

Many times I look for 30 minute meals to make during the school week, 'cause seriously, I only got 30!  When I find a "30 min." recipe and attempt it, rarely, does it actually take 30 mins. to prep and cook.  I am exhausted by the time I get home and have to get the little man fed, bathed, and to bed by 7 p.m. for his early wake up call at 6a.m.!  I also have a little "martial artist" to get fed usually after, but sometimes before, her 6 p.m. taekwondo class.  Needless to say, time is of the essence... 

Anyways, at least once a week I'll turn to pasta.  I have been trying to go a little healthier with the meals also, so this meal is great in many ways:  It literally took 30 mins., there were very few ingredients (of course), BUT it STILL tasted like a restaurant quality dish- no joke!  I am a looooooover of pasta, so I am hard to please...

So, if you don't know where to turn for your weeknight meals, try this! 

You can't mess it up- this one is a serious winner!

 

 

30 minute Linguine with Vodka Sauce

 

 

 Whole Wheat Linguine
Vodka Sauce (I use Classico)
Chicken breasts (I used 2)
Olive oil
Seasoned Salt (Tastefully Simple)
Frozen spinach, half a bag
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh ground pepper
Shaved parmesan cheese (comes in a container in the cheese section- I just discovered this!!)

Artichokes, capers optional toppers.

 

 

 

 

Boil water and add pasta. 

 

Drizzle pan with olive oil and start cooking chicken in pan and season both sides with seasoned salt.

 

When pasta is nearly done, add half a bag of frozen spinach to the boiling water and pasta.  When spinach has defrosted and is hot, drain water from spinach and pasta mixture.

 

When chicken is mostly cooked, remove from pan and cut into pieces.  Return to pan and finish cooking thoroughly add more olive oil/seasoning as needed.

Wash and cut cherry tomatoes in half and add tomatoes to cooked chicken pieces.  Add chicken and tomatoes to pasta and spinach in pot.

 

Add jar of sauce and evenly mix sauce throughout.

 

When serving, top with fresh cracked black pepper and shaved parmesan cheese.

 

I HIGHLY recommend adding artichokes and capers to your pasta.  : )

 

Don't, I repeat, DON'T forget the vino!

 

  

<3rastapastaLML