Summertime Food!!!

There is nothing better in the wintertime to me then having a lot of soup. I love to make so many different kinds...but once summer rolls around its all about salads and especially pasta salads for me. I found this one recently that I absolutely love. I just have to share it. For anyone looking to cut back on meat (and you should be) this entree is the perfect replacement. Beans are so much better at giving you protein since they are easier to digest then meat. So here it is for you to try:


Whole Wheat Pasta w/Ricotta & Vegetables:

8 ounces of whole wheat penne
2 1/2 cups of broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen beans cut into 1 inch pieces

Cook the pasta and the last 3 minutes of boiling add the green beans and broccoli. Drain and combine with ricotta mixture, 2 large tomatoes chopped, 1 can of rinsed and drained Kidney Beans, and 1/4 cup of grated parm cheese.

Ricotta Mixture:

1 1/4 cup of Ricotta
1/3 cup of snipped fresh basil (must be fresh)
1 tsp of dried Thyme
4 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp of Olive oil
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of pepper


Then just serve with Corn on the Cob or Bread with Balsamic/Olive Oil to dip in.

Michael Pollan is an amazing author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food". He recommends at least one meat free day like meat free Monday that not only will benefit you but our environment. You'd be suprised the impact all the animals raised for meat have on our planet.

I'm getting off my soap box now so you can go and enjoy dinner.