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CAPRESE SALAD AND PESTO PASTA: FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Recently, we dropped in at our local Olive Garden, for lunch. The food was anything but good.The calamari was over salted and rubbery.The stuffed mushrooms, did not have any seasoning. The Pasta was superbly mediocre. That really prompted us both in saying, that as a couple, we make much better Italian food. Case in point: The Father's Day Dinner. So despite a fussy baby, I knew it was time to pen down the long delayed post. So I sip my caramel machiato, at the local coffee shop and type away, to tell the tale of another evening, which began right here. Cheers !

Being First-Time Parents, every milestone with our baby, is a celebration for us. Some cake, some good food, some pictures for sure, and a great memories, to last a lifetime. Needless to say, we were majorly excited for our First Mother's Day and Father's Day this year.

While the Mother's Day Celebrations did not take place as planned for some undesirable elements, I made sure that at least D-Boy got his First Father's Day, as memorable, as possible.

So a few clicks, and lil bit of time in the kitchen, and it was all set. Co-ordinating Tshirts for both father and daughter, and the evening started off, at our local coffee shop.

Click , click went Mommy, as Daddy and Baby exchanged smiles and smiles and sometimes no smiles at all.







Going to the Farmer's Market, by the Missouri River is  something I look forward to always. This time around, it was extra special. I was going there, a day before, to pick up supplies for an all out Italian meal at home, for the First Time  Father. Fresh produce makes cooking so much easier.


The stars of the day were surely Fresh Mozzarella and some good sun dried tomatoes. So i had to spin my dinner around them. The answer was quite simple.

As I had also picked some sweet Italian Basil. Did I mention, some juicy heirloom tomatoes. Yes, the first course was undoubtedly Caprese Salad. It made for some decadent platter, and honestly, I did not even need a second course. But hey, I was planning it for the man,not myself. Each bite was a juicy one. The velvety mozzarella, the firm yet soft tomatoes, and some good EVOO.How can you go wrong with something as classic as this.  I could have added a dash of Balsamic, but then, I always forget things on my grocery list, don't I !


Some fresh pesto, some al dente thin spaghetti, sinful sun dried tomatoes,some sharp Parmesan cheese, and  handful of meatballs. Easy Peasy Pesto Pasta. What better way to make sure that the sweet basil does not get freezer burn ! Hard core Pesto fans, would not be comfortable with the idea of julienned sun dried tomatoes, but I must say, its a great combination of flavors. Not to forget, it also makes a colorful plate. As they say, a great looking plate, satisfies half the hunger. No, I didn't make the meatballs myself on that very day. I just used some frozen, store bought all beef meatballs, with a touch of fennel. Feel free to add in a protein of your choice. Bacon, chicken or even prawns would do well. But please, no Tofu !

It was one big hearty Italian Plate, which was washed down with some crisp Moscato. Baby entertained us with her Cooing, and it surely made for one memorable celebration. A lil secret for  all my readers: if your day is spoiled, make sure at least, some one else's day is a good one. It does give you a warm fuzzy feeling, to see someone else smile.

CAPRESE SALAD: 


Ingredients: 
Fresh Mozzarella balls: 1
Heirloom tomatoes, or large ripe Roma Tomatoes: 2
Sweet Basil leaves: 5 to 6
EVOO(Extra Virgin Olive Oil) : A dash
Salt
Freshly crushed Black Pepper
Balsamic Vinegar: A dash (I had run out of it)


Procedure: 

Cut thick rounds of the mozzarella and the tomatoes. Arrange the tomatoes slice son a large plate. Top that with the slices of fresh mozzarella. Place a couple of sweet basil leaves on every slice. season with salt and pepper, and drizzle EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar. Voila ! First course is ready.

PESTO PASTA:

Ingredients: 
Thin Spaghetti: 8 oz
Broccoli Florets: 1/2 cup
Chopped Mini Portabella Mushrooms: 1/2 cup
Frozen Meatballs: 1 cup
Pesto Sauce: 1/4 cup
Salt
Sun dried Tomatoes: 1/4 cup
Pepper
Parmesan Cheese
EVOO



Procedure:
If you're using store bought Pesto sauce, then you can skip this step. In a small blender, throw in a bunch of sweet basil, some Parmesan cheese,a few gloves of fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and EVOO and churn, till its a smooth green, thick sauce.

Boil the pasta according to package instructions. It should have a bite(al dente). Strain and keep aside. Make sure that the pasta water is well salted. reserve a cup of the pasta water.


Cook the frozen meatballs according to package instructions. I like baking mine in the oven, rather than cooking over the stove top. Keep aside.

In a large non stick pan, add in some EVOO. Throw in the veggies and toss them around for a couple of minutes.Throw in the sun dried tomatoes,and the pesto sauce.Season with salt. Cook the pesto sauce for a few minutes, then toss in the noodles and meatballs. If you feel that the sauce is too dry, then add in some pasta water,to incorporate things better.







Bon Appetit !!







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