From the Garden....

I anticipate big things for our garden this summer! Things are trucking along in our nice little beds and I can wait to start picking the beautiful fruit of our labor. Assuming we have fruit, Tim has his doubts, but I am so ready to prove him wrong on this one ;) 

In the meantime, we have been enjoying the fruits of other people's labor. I thought I would go meatless on this one. So here it is-

Here is what you will need for the Salad...

 I "skin" my cucumbers like so, to keep a little green....



You will need 2 cucumbers (I use the english ones from Sam's Club- pack of three)..


Slice or cube however you would like, and place in a bowl (preferably with a lid).

Top the Cucumbers with about 1 tsp salt, grind about 1/2 tsp pepper and about 3 tbls of sugar. Toss with spoon.

Add about 1 Tbls of fresh Dill (chopped) if you have it...this actually did come from my herb garden.

Pour about 1 cup of White Vinegar over the salad. Put a lid on your bowl, give it multiple shakes and place in the fridge until serving.

For your Pasta...yes, I am back to eating it....

I actually only used ONE box of pasta for this, not two. Wash your veggies. Cut up you mushrooms and I only used the tips of Asparagus. These little tomatoes were super sweet.

In my super large skillet I drizzled oil oil (1T) and two tabs of butter  over medium high heat.
And started the boiling water (very salty remember) for my pasta.

Add your Asparagus and Mushroom, because these will take the longest to cook. Sprinkle with salt (about 1 tsp)....

 Cover with lid to create a nice steam for about 5-7mins.....Do not add water, the veggie's alone hold enough...

by now, your water is about ready for your noodles so add them to the water and cook about 7 minutes... Chop your peppers with 2 large or 3 small cloves of garlic...

add to your veggies and give it a stir...

Simmer on med-high for the next 5 minutes...

add about 1 1/2- 2 cups of white wine and crank the heat up....

once back to a boil, simmer and add your tomatoes and sprinkle again with salt...

when the tomato's skin starts to pop (5 mins), add a few tabs of butter and stir.....




add your drained (but not rinsed!) pasta, toss and serve... you won't even miss the meat :)

Enjoy!


We have been soaking up this glorious weather! Take your meals outdoors, even if it is on a blanket in your yard. We enjoyed our Easter Dinner on the patio...here's a few pics of our garden in the works! Hope this inspires you to try your own!