After Dinner Thoughts

Mmmm, that was different. Good, but different. I should have added salt to the water when I cooked the lentils (I didn't use canned lentils). Michael felt something was missing. Also, we ate the Eggplant Lentils by themselves: no pasta, rice or other grain. It really didn't need anything more. And, it was quite filling. I may make this again with a few minor adjustments.

As you can see, we also had corn on the cob and a tomato salad. For the salad I cut up three farm fresh tomatoes and a cucumber, added salt and pepper, sprinkled about 2 ounces of feta cheese on top after putting a little bit of fat-free Caesar Italian salad dressing. Such an easy and truly delicious dish!

So, while not a complete hit, dinner was pretty good. And, as stated above with a few minor tweaks this could make another appearance on our dinner table.

Skillet Eggplant and Lentils

I came across this recipe recently and thought it sounded good, so today I'm trying it. Skillet Eggplant and Lentils - sounds intriguing. I think I'll also make some type of tomato salad.

Yesterday my sister and brother-in-law hosted a "last pool party of the summer." We had a terrific time! Our friends Liz and Darren, Andrea and Aleah, Cassy and Timmy and our Aunt Linda and Uncle Richard all stopped by; of course, Mom and Dad were poolside too. Liz made a fabulous tomato, cucumber and feta salad that I'm going to try to replicate today. All the food was really god - that salad just stood out for me and I'd like some more.

I hope the folks on the East Coast are fairing well. The weather in Midwest has been beautiful this weekend! In a few weeks Liz, Darren, Michael and I are taking a trip to the Grand Canyon. We will be celebrating my 50th birthday (earlier this year) and our 20th wedding anniversary (we've actually been together for thirty-two years, we just waited awhile to get married). We're staying one night at Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim of the Canyon, then several nights at The Orchards Inn of Sedona. We're all very excited for this trip!

Anyway, as ever, I'll be sure to let you know how dinner turns out.

After Dinner Thoughts

My that was tasty! It's too bad, though, that mom didn't feel up to coming over for dinner. There is plenty leftover; I may have to take some to them tomorrow.

This was a wonderfully easy dish to make with ingredients I already had on hand (oh, okay, so I might not normally have fresh grilled tuna steaks on hand, but canned tuna might do in a pinch). Michael and I both enjoyed tonight's dinner.

I don't know what will be up for dinner next week, but when I figure that out I'll let you know. Have a great week!

Making It Up - Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

I didn't make Sunday dinner last weekend; instead we went over to Cindy's & Dave's house and enjoyed a really nice summer Sunday. While the weather is nice again today, I am making Sunday dinner and bringing Mom and Dad over to enjoy it. I'm needing a fairly low-key Sunday.

So, I've made it up myself today. Michael grilled some tuna steaks the other day; they are in today's dinner. I'm calling dinner Mediterranean Tuna Pasta. Here are today's ingredients:

Cheese tortellini
Marinated artichoke hearts, chopped with marinade
Sundried tomatoes in olive oil, chopped
Medium-size black olives, halved
Tuna - chopped

The artichoke marinade is the sauce (with a little of the sun dried tomatoes marinade - just however much looks right). Everything, except the tortellini, goes in a large bowl. Add the tortellini right after cooking and draining so that it warms all the ingredients. Serve.

I could easily also add:
Red onion, chopped finely
Fresh spinach, chopped
Parmesan, mozzarella, feta or goat cheese
Pine nuts
Basil
Cannelloni beans

Green beans with sliced almonds is our side today. Sounds yummy! I'll be sure to let you know how it all turns out.

After Dinner Thoughts

OMG! The fresh tomato pasta is wonderful! It is lovely; if you like tomatoes try this recipe. The locally grown tomatoes gave the pasta a slightly sweet taste. I used fresh spinach for my greens. It truly is a mouth-watering recipe.

We also had a sliced cucumber brother-in-law David gave us. Oh, and bread - I picked up a loaf of Artisan "take, bake, & share" Italian peasant bread. The bread was nice and crispy on the outside and deliciously warm on the inside.

To top things off I made brownies from a Ghiradelli mix - yum.

Have a great week.

Summer Tomato Pasta

My friend Laura posted on facebook the link to this Perfect Five-Minute Raw Tomato Pasta Recipe that just makes my mouth water! So, yesterday, I stopped at a roadside stand and a farmer's market to pick up some homegrown tomatoes. I can hardly believe we didn't get a garden in this year, but that's how it goes sometimes. I think all the early rain and then the plunge into heat and humidity kept me from doing any gardening.

I didn't post my after dinner thoughts last week, and for that I apologize. Let me just say the slaw was wonderful. Marinating the mushrooms in Adria's steak sauce was a real winner! I highly recommend trying it - it compliments the mushrooms quite nicely.

I'll be sure to let you know how this weeks dinner turns out.