Cherry Tomato, Zucchini & Brie Pasta

Cherry tomato season is finally upon us!  May the feasting commence!!!  Ever since I was a little girl picking veggies in our family garden, I have looked forward to the first fresh tomatoes of the year with the same anticipation most people reserve Black Friday.  (Red...Wednesday?  Why not!)  Now my hubs is pretty darn terrific.  Sure I've mentioned his culinary talents and yes, he is now officially a doctor.  But there's a lot more to my man than that.  For instance, he is also an avid reader, loves kids and has a die-hard fanbase in the online world of Tetris.  But last week he topped the cake by bringing me the very first ripe tomato from our rooftop community garden.  That's one heck of a man.

Pea, Prosciutto & Parmesan Risotto with Seared Scallops

It's March, meaning enough time has passed since New Year's for a truly rich and decadent dish.  I always try to hold out on these for a while, my attempt to assist all you resolutioners out there to turn those shining ideas into habitual healthy choices.  But I seriously cannot wait any longer to share this one.  The starter crops of fresh asparagus and peas are just too tempting for this veggie-lover to resist.  And in case those don't float your boat, how about tons of parmesan cheese and savory prosciutto?  Or oodles of creamy risotto?  Yeah, now I have your attention.

Sweet Potato & Mascarpone Ravioli with Browned Butter & Fried Sage

Is it me or does winter seem extra cold this year?  I mean, how many days of negative wind chills are really necessary?  Isn't there a quota out there that once met means winter is over?  Apparently not, because the cold just keeps on coming.  Our electric company even sent out a notice forewarning of higher than average bills for the coming month due to the lower than average temperatures we've been suffering seeing.  But it's OK because the hubs and I have been making the most of it.  Fires every night with a glass of red wine and plenty of warm, delicious dinners make every chilly day much more comfortable.  But even if you're not going through a deep freeze, you'll love these homemade Sweet Potato & Mascarpone Ravioli.

Birthday Week! Red Wine Risotto & Peanut Butter Pup Cake

The first week in June is very important in our household.  After Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's the most anticipated week of the year.  It's Birthday Week!  On the first we celebrate our pups, while the fifth is devoted to the hubs.  I love this week....probably more than my own birthday.  I get to bake both dog and people treats to share with the two most important little creatures in my life.  So it's only fitting that I take a post to stop and reminisce in this year's celebrations.

Hummus & Avocado Pasta

Happy Tuesday!  Sure, this weekday does not contain the same giddy delightedness as Friday, but it's one day closer than Monday.  And man oh man...have I been having some Mondays.  I've broken dishes, lost keys and collided with every knee-high piece of furniture in our house.  I even attempted to pull off the yogurt I spilled on my pants at work as the "new" hombre effect (so far, it hasn't caught on).  With all of these ridiculous mishaps, I've been enjoying the uneventful Tuesdays that follow.  But even with this lingering case of the Mondays, we've still managed to stay well fed.  I just opt for recipes that require less knife work and am sure to steer clear of deep fryers.

Grilled Ricotta Cakes

I have a new favorite patty.  Ms. Mayonnaise from Doug was a long time favorite of my younger years, while adulthood has been mostly dedicated to quinoa and black bean.  But now there's a new little patty in town...my yummy little ricotta patty.  You know that delicious, creamy ricotta that typically fills lasagna?  Well that's exactly what these taste like.  All the delicious tenderness of lasagna filling, but with a crispy exterior....yum.  Plus you don't have to make an entire casserole.  Super versatile, these little patties are my new favorite side.

Mediterranean Avocado Spaghetti with Shrimp

Today was a very important day in our household.  It's the last day of April, and therefore our final day before launching into Meatless May.  Now you can either cheer or laugh at that last sentence, but we decided to go vegetarian for a month.  We're keeping eggs and dairy, but goodbye meat.  For me it's not a big deal...I went through that collegian-vegetarian phase that so many Portlandians experience.  But it's my hub's first attempt at a meat-free diet.  We're looking forward to 31 days of alternative protein sources....but only after enjoying one final day of meat.  Naturally, today was filled with our favorites.  In parting, we supped on one of our best easy meals - Mediterranean Avocado pasta.....with lots and lots of shrimp.

Creamy Polenta with Turkey Meatballs & Basil

Polenta is the unsung hero of Italian cuisine.  So frequently overshadowed by a plethora of pastas, this delicious, gluten-free grain can be forgotten about.  Inconceivable!  But sadly true.  In fact, it had been several months since I've made a dish with polenta, and even longer since I've blogged about it.  To make up for this tragedy, I bring to you one of my favorite polenta dinners.  Ready in 20 minutes, this delicious, simple and hearty dish is one that you will look forward to making any night of the week.  

The Best Ever Pad Thai

In our home, I am typically the foodie that does the cooking.  The hubs studies and writes medical journals, while I dabble in the kitchen.  However, when he has the time he is a fantastic chef with a few signature dishes that knock off my socks.  His Pad Thai is one of those dishes.  I have never attempted to make it, but he does frequently.  And let me tell you, we've stopped going out for Thai food.  

Pesto Pomegranate Pasta

The best weeknight meals have two very important standards.  One, they should be easy to prepare.  The last thing I want to do after working all day is come home and truss a duck.  I'm tired, likely slightly cranky from traffic and just want to relax for a few minutes with my hubs and pup.  The other problem with a Tuesday-night duck is the time it takes to roast.  Now we have many, many friends who find nine o'clock is a perfectly acceptable time to eat dinner.  However, the hubs and I are more of a half past six duo.  After all, morning rounds come at the same time regardless of when we go to bed.  So keeping those two family standards in mind, we have a few favorites for Thursday nights such as these.  And this is one of those favorites.

Jalapeno Pepper Pasta

Long, long ago I taught three year-olds at an early childhood development center.  And they did not like bell peppers because "peppers are hot".  Last week I went to grab fajitas with a co-worker, who ordered hers without peppers because "peppers are hot".  Typically, I laugh manically and try to explain that bell peppers are pretty much the opposite of hot.  Sweet, fresh and bright are better words to describe their flavor.  However, there are times when my little three's class and co-workers are right...and peppers are hot.  Jalapeno, habanero and serrano will all set your mouth ablaze.  It just so happens that the hubs and I love both bell and hot peppers.  So it is with fond recollection of these individuals that I bring you this recipe tonight.  We're making bell peppers hot, folks.

Baked BLT Mac & Cheese

The hubs has a guilty pleasure for Velveeta shells and cheese.  Every time I'm out with the girls for dinner, he makes himself a box and goes to town.  And I secretly love him more for it.  I guess the way to my heart is a love of shell-shaped noodles and cheese.  So I decided to make an extra-special, gourmet version of his shells when we made our annual Cougar Gold baked mac & cheese this year.  Hence, the BLT Mac & Cheese was born.  Get ready for a hearty dinner, folks.

*Disclaimer:  the & sign makes it taste better.

Hearty & Healthy Italian Pasta Bake

There are times when you just need a good Italian meal.  We're not talking about simple spaghetti here.  I mean some serious Italian indulgence.  Piles of tender pasta and far too much marinara than is typically correct, capped with melted mozzarella just barely toasted to bubbly perfection.  Oh, the humanity.  I find an interesting juxtaposition between this dish and the weather - as the temperature decreases, my need for this dinner increases.  Drastically.  And specifically.  So give spaghetti a rest and try this healthy, hearty pasta bake.

Butternut Goat Cheese Ravioli

I can never get enough kitchen gadgets.  I rarely tenderize meat or ball a melon, but that doesn't mean there are not tools for these purposes in our kitchen drawers.  But our newest gadget has been getting quite a bit of use - the pasta roller.  We are churning out noodles faster than you could say Northern Italy.  After coming a tasty-looking recipe for butternut squash ravioli a few weeks ago, we invited a good friend over for dinner to wow with our new pasta skills.  Now our gentleman guest enjoyed the pasta, but stated that he was a bit underwhelmed by the filling.  He said that it was ok, but was certain that I could've made up something better.  Challenge accepted!

Broken Lasagna Stacks with Red Pepper & Goat Cheese

The name to this recipe is quite a mouthful.  But be thankful that it's a short as it is.  This recipe was quite the quandary to name.  With all the good stuff going into this dish, you don't want to leave anybody out.  But at the same time, to just call this a lasagna would be deceptive to all individuals reading this blog.  A compromise had to be made between the architectural and flavor aspects of this dish.  Just note that the original name was Broken Turkey & Goat Cheese Lasagna Stacks with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.

Phew.  My pinky has a cramp just from typing that.

Apple Walnut Pasta

I have been loving apples hardcore this fall.  Our third fall away from the Pacific Northwest, I think that we're attempting to overcompensate for our year-long apple withdrawals.  I mean, what's up with not being apple to pick an apple off a tree whenever you feel like a snack?  You actually have to pay for them here...bummer.  But none of that right now....it's apple season.  Huzzah!  Time to pick up your fork and get to work.  And I highly recommend starting with this lovely, simple weeknight dinner.

Smoked Pesto & Shrimp Pasta

For recipe #2 in the three part series of Smoked Almond Basil Pesto, I present to you this quick, easy and delicious dinner of Smoked Pesto & Shrimp Pasta.  This is a perfect meal to make after a long day at the office.  Thanks to the pre-made pesto, this dish only takes a grand total 12 minutes from start to finish.  Your prep time can therefore be spent relaxing with a glass of dry white wine...gotta love that.  

Smoked Almond Basil Pesto

The first time I'd tried pesto, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  Whoever first thought of creaming basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan is a genius.  Well done you...your life was well spent.  Though traditional pesto is phenomenal, it is also incredibly versatile.  This is one of the things I love the most about pesto - its playfulness.  You can dress it up or down in any way you like.  Swap the nuts, sub another type of cheese, play with your greens.  Just process the heck out of it and smear onto your favorite carb, protein or fruit.  You will be happy.

Summer Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomatoes & Garlic Lime Shrimp

After over a week of 100+ degree days, a hot meal is on the low end of my appetizing foods scale.  I've been rocking salads, wraps and other luke-warm to cold dishes.  But after weeks of burger buns and tortillas, I  was really starting to get a hankering for pasta.  And while it does require boiling water, it does not require being served hot.  A cold pasta salad with the best flavors of summer is necessary now and again....and again, and again.......

Green Goddess Pasta & Parmesan Baked Chicken

Avocados are nature's butter.  Pretty much anything you would ever think of topping with a pat of butter, I counter you with a hunk of avocado.  Smear it on any carb and you have a delicious and far more nutritious fat source.  It's amazing on biscuits, burritos, eggs, chickpea salads, guacamole....you can mash it, slice it, dice it or serve it whole.  I love the stuff.