Day: March 14, 2014

20 Minute Gourmet Pasta Tossed In A Pan Sauce! Open a bottle of wine…You Got This!

This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies!  Peppers an spinach tonight!

Get home at 5 and have nothing prepared for dinner? We are all there multiple times per week! Relax, my 20 minute pasta dish is healthy, easy and quick!! Best part…It looks like you have cooked all day!

Yep...20 minutes!
Yep…20 minutes!

20 Min.Gourmet Pasta in Pan Sauce

Ingredients:
2 cloves of garlic presses
2 tbsp olive oil
1 35 oz. can LaValle whole tomatoes
Salt/pepper
Choose what you have in the fridge! If none – move on there is nothing wrong with a pan marinara sauce! Today, I have a pepper and a bag of spinach.
1 pepper chopped
1 cup fresh spinach
1 pack Mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup Italian olives sliced
1 zucchini sliced
1/2 cup Pepperoni
Etc.

1 lb. of your favorite pasta- farfalle for us today!
Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions:

Put hot water in a stock pot on the stove, add 3 pinches of salt and bring to a boil.
Heat your largest frying pan on medium/low heat.
Add olive oil
Add garlic
Stir with wooden spoon- remember no brown- if it is crackling it is too hot!

If garlic burns throw it out and start over! Start over med/low heat.
If garlic burns,  throw it out and start over! Start over med/low heat.

Add peppers (raw veggies) put a lid on and cook 5 mins.
Add can of tomatoes.
Salt and pepper
Put a lid on and let it cook. Totally fine to boil and bubble. You want to quickly cook the veggies and let the flavors mix together.

Chop up tomatoes as you stir . We like to have some chunks of tomato!
Chop up tomatoes as you stir . We like to have some chunks of tomato!

When water is at a rapid boil add pasta and follow directions and cook until al dente. Perfectly chewy!

Add some salt to the hot water. Wait for a rapid boil! Relax, you have time!
Add some salt to the hot water. Wait for a rapid boil! Relax, you have time!

Strain pasta in a strainer over the sink. Take advantage of the pore opening steam facial!!

I love it! Freshen up for dinner! Blot with a paper towel!
I love it! Freshen up for dinner! Blot with a paper towel!

Add a few spoonfuls of sauce in a serving bowl and coat pasta so it doesn’t stick. Mix in spinach last!

This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies!  Peppers an spinach tonight!
This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies! Peppers and spinach tonight!

Serve with a nice ciabatta! I happened to have one in the freezer! OR Make a quick garlic toast in your toaster! Toast bread, butter it and sprinkle on garlic salt and Italian seasoning!

Always add freshly grated Parmesan !! Enjoy!
Always add freshly grated Parmesan !! Enjoy!

“All You Need Is Love, Love.” The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s New Exhibit…WOW!

When asked to participate in a focus group at the Children’s Museum last year, I knew a new exhibit was being developed about love, kindness and individuality. I was totally excited to see what it would be in the end! I did not expect to be blown away by its life lessons, interactive exhibits, and its ability to keep 4 toddlers’ totally busy and happy for 3 hours!!!

Here were our favorites within the XOXO Love and Forgiveness Exhibit-

Draw a silhouette. See how others see you. The lesson- Giving others our attention makes them feel loved!
Draw a silhouette. See how others see you. The lesson- Giving others our attention makes them feel loved!
Great Photo Op moms!! Various colored frames and wooden signs saying "I Love You" and "Thank You" against an XOXO printed wall make a fabulous greeting card or a thank you for grandma!
Great Photo Op moms!! Various colored frames and wooden signs saying “I Love You” and “Thank You” against an XOXO printed wall make a fabulous greeting card or a thank you for grandma!
The boys came home with 8-10 love tokens each!
The boys came home with 8-10 love tokens each!
Draw a picture or write a love letter. Crush the paper in a machine and press it into a token with another pump machine!
Draw a picture or write a love letter. Crush the paper in a machine and press it into a token with another pump machine!

We stumbled upon a story time within the exhibit at 2pm! Songs and books about love and friendships!

How do we show our feelings? Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood for sure! Children are asked to write how someone has been kind to them and what they do when they are mad and  hang it on the display. We enjoyed reading what others had written!
How do we show our feelings? Mr. Rogers Neighborhood for sure! Children are asked to write how someone has been kind to them and what they do when they are mad and hang it on the display. We enjoyed reading what others had written!

Need something to do with the kids this weekend? Head over to the Children’s Museum!
Mr. Rogers’ Day is March 20th and the museum is offering free admission!

We loved the new exhibit! You will, too!

Create a memory of love!
Create a memory of love!

Ciao!