Lets Pick Strawberries...

Over the summer, Lauren Olivia made a list of 10 things she wanted to do. Picking strawberries was one of them.  So... I had this brilliant idea, we would get up early this morning, spend quality time together, and go pick strawberries and get our Christmas tree...
I thought it was a very good idea, but the girls seemed to think differently! They just wanted to stay home, in their pj's, and do homework. I had to put my very sad mother face/voice on, and then they changed their minds. It works every time. Shhh don't tell my secret...
When we first got to Bedner's Farmers Market, it was actually very comical! All the children there were under the age of 6. Except for mine, my girls are 15 and 20...
Santa Claus was there too, and no I did not make them sit on his lap. I won't lie, I did think about it for a few moments...

Funny how even when you are 15 and 20 years old, you still can't stand still while waiting in line. I have one texting, and one studying her flash cards for chemistry. Or they are annoying each other to no end. Some things will never change, and maybe, I really don't want them too...

They actually ate more berries than what went into their baskets, just like when they were smaller.  I remember the first time I took the girls to pick strawberries. A friend had told me to bring little scissors, so they could cut the stems and not squish the berries. It worked very well. Except, Lindsey decided to cut her own bangs that day. Let me just say... They were not straight what so ever, but they did grow back eventually and it is a very sweet memory for me...

You can also cut your own sunflowers if you would like...

Where else, but South Florida, can you pick strawberries, sunflowers and get your Christmas tree all at the same time...

XoXo

Happy Thanksgiving To You...

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Turkey Day!!! Don't forget to watch, The 84th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...

XoXo

My youngest, Lauren Olivia, continues to be a vegetarian. I thought this was just a phase, but I thought wrong! So... I'm in a constant search of delicious recipes that we all can eat. When I say we all, I specifically mean my oldest daughter, aka My Very Own Drama Queen. She loves everything and anything that is not healthy. OK... well she does like orange juice, watermelon, mango, pineapple, zucchini, squash and broccoli. Yep...that would be it for healthy.

So this one particular afternoon, I was on a mission to find something for dinner, that was yummy, fast and easy...
 

Winter Pasta

I used penne here, but you can substitute whatever pasta you like. Spinach can be substituted for the kale if you like as well.

4 cloves of garlic, peeled
4 small shallots, peeled
1 small bunch of kale - 1/2 lb / 8 oz, stalks removed, washed well
1/3 cup / 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup / 2 oz goat cheese, plus more for topping
2 tablespoons + hot pasta water
fine grain sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
fresh lemon juice - optional
12 oz / 340 g dried penne pasta
fresh thyme - and thyme flowers

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the boiling water generously, and add the garlic and shallots. Boil for 2-3 minutes, stir in the kale and cook for another ten seconds. Don't overcook. Working quickly, use a slotted spoon or strainer to fish the greens, garlic, and shallots from the water. Use a food processor to puree the ingredients along with the olive oil and goat cheese. Add a couple tablespoons of hot pasta water if needed to thin things out if needed. Then season with a touch of salt and plenty of black pepper. Taste. Depending on your goat cheese, you might need a little extra acidic oomph if your sauce is a bit flat. If so, add fresh lemon juice a bit at a time until you're happy with it. Set aside.

Reheat the pot of water and boil the pasta per package instructions. Drain and toss immediately with the green sauce. Serve topped with a few pinches of fresh thyme, and more crumbled goat cheese.

Serves 4-6. 

I had extra sauce left over, so we used it as a dip for Tostito chips and veggie's. You could also add some pine nuts to the pasta, if you like...

XoXo

 

Love My Farmers Market...

I have to say... I have a great farmers market, right down the street from where I live. The produce and plants are always so fresh and really really inexpensive!!!

XoXo