Fresh Basil

I bought this basil plant at TJ’s the other day, I think it was about $3.00. I planted it in a ceramic pot. This should last me throughout most of the summer. After a while these plants tend to get woody.

Next I will plant some Italian parsley.

Fusilli Pasta

This is our comfort food. This dish is full with flavor and rich in healthy ingredients. 

Start by sauteing garlic, shallots and TJ’s seasoning in olive oil. Then add roasted red peppers and fresh or canned cut tomatoes. Finish it with fresh basil, oregano and italian parsley.

I add red pepper flakes for some heat. Make plenty, this dish is great served as a leftover lunch.

It’s complemented nicely with a rich Cabernet or a spicy Zinfandel.

Fusilli comes from Italian meaning ‘little spindles’.

TJ’s Pizza

A perfect snack to add to the picnic basket. Nice paired with a Cabernet. Kiki and I like to add generous doses of Cholula hot sauce. When I started going vegan, I thought I’d miss having cheese on a pizza, but this is so good I don’t even think about it.

Amy’s or Trader Joe’s

We figured out that Safeway and Trader Joe’s carry the same pizza. The difference in price is about $3 or $4.

If TJ’s wasn’t alway so busy, I’d say ‘TJ’s…why go anywhere else?’

Avocados

I’ve found the perfect substitute for cheese! We put them in our breakfast tortillas with spicy salsa.

Spinach Salad

I found that when you add fresh berries, lightly roasted nuts and shallots to a simple spinach salad, it really gives the dish a delicious complex flavor. Change out the nuts and berries for variety.

Super easy, super tasty, super satisfying!

Colorful Peppers

Tasty and full of vitamins, bell peppers are a great addition to your hot and cold dishes. And they are available in most areas all year round.

Pizza

Trader Joe’s has a ready made crust which makes it easy to make your own pizza. I prefer to use the herb crust for more flavor.

The dough is pretty easy to spread out on your pizza pan, but make sure to use flour when shaping and stretching it, it does gets sticky.

I like to top it with a pizza sauce and add garlic, onions, and fresh basil. 

Perfect with served with any red wine of your choice.

Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce

Adds flavor to many dishes including phad thai, rice dishes and gyozas.

Strawberries

 

Fresh strawberries are always a good snack to have around. We spend a little extra for organic. Which such porous skin, strawberries can readily absorb pesticides that washing can’t remove. Our thinking is we spend more on good ingredients and just eat less food. A word of warning, if you’re going to chop them on a wooden cutting board arrange the remnants artistically so it will leave a red heart-shaped stain.

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