Teacher Cooks Edition! Pasta with Baby Broccoli and Lemon Garlic Sauce

It’s a good thing I’ve got morning walking dates with friends this fall because I am loving all the pasta and bread and the delicious fall foods intending to fill in my fall clothes.

My husband pretty much went vegetarian a couple months ago and my kid is completely uninterested in chicken, so I’ve been experimenting with all sorts of meat free (and dairy free – allergic, yo!) dishes.  My Food Finds Pinterest board is full of ideas you’ll see here this season.

This week’s dish was brilliantly simple and delicious. I would eat it every day if I wouldn’t have to buy new pants.

Without further ado, I bring you Pasta with Baby Broccoli and Lemon Garlic Sauce.

 

Recipe is so close to the one from The Yogic Kitchen, click over there to see what’s up.

Pasta with Baby Broccoli and Lemon Garlic Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients Notes:

I used Earth Balance vegan “butter”

I wasn’t sure what Italian seasonings she meant, so I used 21 salute from Trader Joe’s – 2 handfuls plus a couple of shakes of red pepper flakes.

I juiced the lemon and added it to the sauce as well. Who wants a zested lemon just laying around the house? Put that sucker to work!

Those little “ear” pastas crack me up.

What to do:

Add parmesan cheese if you want, but I had it without and it was delicious! I have rosemary bread crumbs that I should have added. Hmmm, guess I’ll have to make it again next week.

+++++

What’s for dinner at your house these shorter, cooler days?

Not really feeling this recipe? You can always visit the recipe archive for more dinner ideas.

Photo Credit: Me

Lame Food Confession UPDATE! – Bonus Recipe Edition!

Recently I spilled the proverbial beans about my inability to consume a respectable amount of fruits and vegetables despite my claim of being a healthy eater. I called it my Lame Food Confession and since confessing that I have trouble finding fruits and vegetables in my mouth, not just my refrigerator, I have learned a great many things.  

1. I actually like the taste of most fruits and vegetables. Plain fruits. Plain vegetables. Don’t even have to do anything to them and they already taste pretty good.  

2. Before I’d been eating way too many granola bars – Clif Kid Organic Zbar in Chocolate Chip – I love you, but you get in the way of my fruit and vegetable consumption.  

3. As it turns out, I know someone who works for the used-to-be 5-a-day folks. It’s now called Fruits and Veggies: More Matters – and even she has trouble fitting it all in. The new name actually clears up confusion about the amount, although it doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.  

4. Many people I spoke to didn’t know about the new name AND didn’t know what qualified as a serving.  

5. My trousers are already fitting a bit looser.  

6. I’m less hungry during the day.  

7. I feel more virtuous when I actually remember.  

8.  Some friends even sent in recipes during the first Lame Food Confession.  

Here’s one I apdated from Leili –  

Broccoli Slaw  

Cut up fresh brocoli  

Throw in some blueberries ( I used thawed frozen organics from Trader Joe’s)  

Raisins (for some extra sweetness)  

Sliced almonds (for some extra crunch)  

Flax seeds (for some extra fiber)  

Combine with some ginger vinaigrette.  

I used Annie’s Naturals Gingerly Vinaigrette  

Enjoy!  

Food photography: Harder than it looks!

  

Care to share YOUR fruit and vegetable confessions? What about tips, techniques and recipes for getting your daily allowance in? Leave a comment and you may find your recipe featured here someday.