Finally - Arizona --- it's cold cold cold

It's 11pm and only 54 degrees. BURRRRRR













Monday, July 12, 2010

Eating Healthy even when it's hot.







What do you do when it's just too hot to cook - plus it cost to much to cool off a kitchen after turning on the stove or over. Answer - Salads and grilling outside.

Today I got all the vegtables ready, having Reg's garden is so much better than running out to the market, and put a bag of Reg's homemade Italian Sauage out to defrost. While Reg grilled the Sausages outside on the grill I quickly sauteed in olive oil 2 chopped cloves of garlic with 1/2 of one of Reg's sweet onions from the garden. Then I added some chopped cauliflower and brocolli, Reg's cherry tomatoe's (it's what I had on hand, peppers and zuchini would have been good too) and just sauteed them slightly, then tosed them into a deep bowl. In the same pot I had used to sauteed in (the fewer the dishes to wash the better) I quickly boiled some water, then cooked about 1/2 of a box of angel hair pasta.

While waiting for the pasta to cook I cut up a dozen or so fresh basil leaves, also from Reg's garden, and threw them into the bowl. When the pasta was done I saved about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drained the rest, and added the pasta to the bowl also. I tossed all this with some olive oil, then added some soft Mozzarella cheese cut in small chunks and some largely grated parmesan cheese and a few tablespoons of the pasta water and "Voila" (yes a French word for an Italian dish - but I have not entirely crossed over yet) a perfect Italian dinner, pasta and sausage.

I also have been making a different cold Italian salad a couple of times a week. I buy a 1/2 pint at DelFalco's, then I take it home and fiddle until I have made a salad as good or, as Reg has told me, better than bought at the Italian store.



2 comments:

  1. I wish we lived closer so we could take turns making up fun meals!! You're so much fun Val... I really miss hanging out with you! <3

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  2. Have you tried dad's sausage in jo mazzoti yet? It's really good (in fact, I'm having some for dinner tonight...)

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