Lemony Pasta & Broccoli

As a mother of three young children, sometimes putting dinner on the table without someone going "ugh... this is what we're eating?" can be a difficult task.  Different kids = different opinions... and I'm cool with that ;)  There are some things that I know will always make my kids happy... one of those things is pasta. (surprise surprise)  Since I'm making a good majority of things from scratch, I always have a glass jar full bulk pasta (from Tidal Creek) on hand for nights when I just don't have the time or have no clue what to make for dinner. (Fyi... that happens once a week!)  

Awhile ago, I had practically nothing in my house.  I had no idea what I was going to make for dinner and I had about an hour before I had to get my kids to gymnastics and karate.  So... I did what I always do.  I took a quick inventory of the things that I had (pasta!) and I figured out a way to make it work.  That "I'm rushed and I don't know what the heck I'm going make for dinner night" turned into one awesome dinner.  My kids kept asking for more and now this is their most requested meal. :D  (Shout out to my friend Tracy who text me for this recipe tonight!)

Lemony Pasta With Broccoli

adapted from Barefoot Contessa Family Style

1 lb pasta*

2-4 heads of broccoli, cut into florets

1/4 cup organic unsalted butter

1/4 cup olive oil*

2 large cloves of garlic, minced 

Zest of 2 lemons

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper*

4 tsp kosher salt

Juice of 1 lemon 

1/2 - 1 cup Nutritional Yeast*

Cook pasta until almost finished, then add broccoli to the boiling water.  When the broccoli is bright green, drain the pasta and broccoli.  Don't drain too well.... leave some water on the pasta :)

While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and oil in a small sauté pan over medium-low heat.  Add garlic and lemon zest.  Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.  Off heat, add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.  Pour this over the (drained) pasta and broccoli.  Toss well.

Add nutritional yeast.  Stir well.  The pasta should get a bit creamy looking (almost like adding parmesan... in fact, you could use parmesan.).  Taste.  Add more nutritional yeast if you like.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  If you want more lemon (which my kids usually do... add the juice of the 2nd lemon) 

Oh right... so you may be looking at the photo... thinking... "ummm... where are the peas in the recipe??"  Here's the thing.  You know that mantra "make it work"... well, along with the broccoli I had peas in my CSA box.  I figured why not? :)  That's kind of how I view cooking... tweak the recipe for what you have.  Seriously.  Don't go buying shell noodles to match mine.  Have another green on hand, use it.  Add some chickpeas. Really love garlic, add more.  Do whatever sounds good to you.  That's what cooking is about... and it makes it so much more enjoyable being released from the constraints of a recipe. :)

* Bought in bulk with my own containers at Tidal Creek Co-op

Hey, Big Spender.... Where Are YOU??

Last week, I received this letter from the the grocery store that I used to frequent at least two times a week... 

Ok... so I know the people who work in the produce department have commented on how they haven't seen me much... BUT... I didn't realize I had cut back on my shopping that much!!!! YAY!!

Of course, I filled out the survey (in detail) and called the 800 number.  Here are some of the things I discussed:

Local foods (produce, dairy, seafood), bulk foods, more organics AND how a year or so ago they used our coastal area as a test market for ONLY plastic grocery bags (seriously)... and let them know that the store I do shop at now has a plastic bag ban. ;)

I am just so pumped that I used to be a big spender at Harris Teeter... and now... they've taken notice that I'm spending my money elsewhere....

SO....I would like to thank my Farmers' Markets, my CSA (Cottle Farm Organics), my garden (even though it didn't perform to my expectations), Tidal Creek Cooperative Market, Edens Produce (a roadside farm stand) and the lady that sells local shrimp on the side of the road for helping make this happen!!!

VOTE with YOUR $$

The Better Market

When we first moved in our house... three and a half years ago... one thing that I was super excited about was the "new" Farmers' Market just a short bike ride from our home.  Of course, when we first moved to our home... I didn't have a bike and I had a 6 month old baby, a 2 year old and a 4 year old... so we most often traveled by Sequoia.  

A lot has changed in the past 3 years.  The Farmers' Market has grown and so has my appreciation for local food.  When I first started going to the Farmers' Market... it was more for leisure.  Pick up a few things here... add them to what I had already purchased from the store.  My trips to the Market always revolved around my trips to the grocery store.  Today, I'm a different kind of shopper.  I realized this about three months ago when I went into my big chain grocery store and the produce people said to me,

"Hey!  Where have you been!  We thought you moved."  

You see, I used to go to the grocery store a couple of times a week.  It always felt like an episode of "Cheers" when I would go there... true they didn't know my "name"... but they did know all of my preferences and my kids (they'd always tell me how much my kids have grown... they remember when my 4 year old was a baby and they'd always be quick to ask where my kids were when I was traveling solo ;)).  True, I really enjoy the people that work at Harris Teeter.

BUT... sorry, Harris Teeter....I like LOCAL food better. 

So now, I plan for Wednesdays (and sometimes Saturdays).  The grocery store is last resort because I like knowing that the food I'm buying is supporting my community.  I like knowing the farmer.  I like knowing that my food didn't travel thousands of miles.  And...I LOVE getting the freshest foods possible.  True, I'm becoming somewhat of a Locavore.  When we were on vacation in California we even hit up a Farmers' Market.

 While my local Market doesn't really compare to the variety in California, I'm still able to eat a primarily locavore diet for most of the year.   In fact, our dinner tonight was comprised 100% of foods that I purchased at the Farmers' Market.  What was for dinner?  Crab Cakes, Green Beans, and Roasted Potatoes with some blueberries, and some of Angela's Pickles on the side.

But my Farmers' Market isn't just about food.  Nope, sure isn't.  For as long as I've been going to the Farmers' Markets, I've supplemented my homemade Christmas gifts with goods from the Market.  Lotions, soaps, handmade glass jewelry, candles... and non-perishables such as honey, jams, teas, and pickled peppers... they've all found their way to family, teachers, and friends.   Last winter, I passed on buying a scarf at J. Crew and instead bought one at the Farmers' Market that was handmade locally (no tag because it's not "Made in China").  It feels good supporting the local economy and keeping my $$ in my community.

SO... what else do I dig about Farmers' Markets?  The experience that my kids have every time we go.  My kids get to be actively involved in the shopping.  I can easily send my kids to pick out and purchase food without me being right on top of them.  The farmers/vendors are always happy to help them :)  They also get to take in the sights and smells of the market.  No processed foods.  Sure there are people selling cookies and other baked confections that kids go crazy for, but they don't win over the color and smell of in-season fruits and veggies.

Seriously LOVE everything about Farmers' Markets.

SO... do you LOVE your Farmers' Market??  Last night, I voted for my Farmers' Markets  in the American Farmland Trust's Favorite Farmers Market Contest.  So vote for yours... :)