Single Gal’s Fresh Mozzarella & Pesto Pasta

This is the tastiest dinner for a single gal (or dude) looking for a filling, hearty fall meal! This dish serves one and can be enjoyed with a side salad, piece of garlic toast & glass of wine…hope you enjoy! 

*makes one serving for the single gal in the kitchen 

For Pasta:

-1/2 c. whole wheat or brown rice pasta

-1/4 c. spinach 

-1/4 c. Roma tomato, diced

-3 mini mozzarella balls, halved or quartered

-2 generous TB of homemade pesto

To Make Pesto:

-1 c. fresh basil leaves

-2 cloves garlic

-1/4 c. walnuts

-1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

-3 TB extra virgin olive oil

-salt & pepper to taste 

1. Cook pasta according to directions on box. In the meantime, add the pesto ingredients in a mini Cuisinart and chop until well grounded, creating a smooth pesto sauce texture. 

2. Mix together tomatoes, mozzarella balls, spinach and 2 TB of pesto. Add in the pasta once cooked. Stir together and add in salt & pepper to taste. Enjoy! 

Vegetarian Farmer’s Omelet

This is one of my favorite go-to breakfasts because it’s quick, tasty and oh so filling! Enjoy with a piece of Ezekiel or whole grain toast and half a grapefruit! 

-1 whole egg plus 1 egg white, whisked with fork 

-1/4 c. sliced portobella mushrooms

-1/4 c. chopped zucchini 

-1/4 c. spinach

-1/4 c. chopped red onion 

-2 TB feta cheese

-1 tsp. oregano 

-1 tsp. parsley

-s & p to taste 

1. Cook the veggies in olive oil on medium heat, adding in spinach last (because it cooks faster and we don’t want to burn it!) 

2. Move veggies to one side, and add in the egg mixture. Cook on medium heat. 

3. Once it starts to bubble, add in the feta cheese and herbs. Flip the plain side over the veggie side to form the “omelet shape.” Enjoy : )

Tantalizing Thai Style Rice with Sesame Tofu

Usually, I season my tofu with herbs and garlic, but last night I chose to change it up a bit. I just purchased some sesame seeds, sesame oil, and a brand new bottle of Agave syrup, so decided to experiment. Let’s just say my little experiment was a huge success. I hope you enjoy!

*makes 2 servings

-1 Package Trader Joe’s Thai-style Lime Rice* (or other brand of choice) *Next time I’m going to make my own!
-1/2 package extra firm tofu
-1/2 lime
-2 TB sesame oil
-2 TB agave syrup
-few shakes of garlic salt (according to taste)
-2 TB olive oil
-1 TB lemon juice
-2 TB sesame seeds
-1/2 TB nutmeg
-1 tsp. ginger
-s & p to taste

1. Preheat oven on 350. Blot the tofu with a paper towel to remove excess water, then chop into edible square pieces.
2. Add tofu into a zip lock bag with oils, herbs, spices and lemon juice (hold off on lime juice). Shake up thoroughly being sure to coat each piece of tofu.
3. Arrange tofu on a coated baking sheet (I like to line with tin foil) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tofu is crisp and slightly browned.
4. In the meantime, cook the rice according to directions, using stovetop or microwave. When the rice is finished, add in the juice of 1/2 lime and stir in.
5. Add in tofu, and top with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in a pretty bowl with lime wedge to garnish. Eat with chopsticks or a simple ol’ fork!

Homemade Chive ‘n’ Herb Hummus

A while back, one of my reader’s asked for a recipe for homemade hummus. To tell you the truth, I hadn’t attempted making it until last night. And boy did it turn out delicious…so delicious that I’m actually thinking of never buying store-bought hummus again (well unless I’m realllllyyy craving it and have no chickpeas on hand). Anyway, I used some of the basic hummus ingredients, with a little extra flare to spice it up. I enjoyed my hummus as a side with cucumbers, salad, and baked pita with feta!

-1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
-2 TB olive oil
-1 TB sesame seed oil (tahini)*
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-2 cloves garlic, crushed
-1 TB dried oregano
-1 TB dried parsley
-1 to 2 TB fresh chives, chopped
-salt and pepper to taste
*start with 1 TB and add more to taste

1. Drain the chickpeas and place into a large bowl. Mash up with a fork to soften.

2. Add chickpeas into a blender or Cuisinart and start to blend, slowly creating a hummus-like texture. Add in lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil and blend well.

3. Once mixture is well blended and smooth, add in the herbs, salt and pepper and blend on low for another 30 seconds.

4. Serve with chopped veggies or pita chips and enjoy : )