A TuesDate with the Little Boy at Mesa and Yabu

Cauliflower Garlic Stir-fry

Super easy to make. Just chopped a whole head of cauliflower, mince about 8 cloves of garlic.  Saute garlic in oil, then add cauliflower, season with salt, pepper and if you want some Parmesan cheese.  That's it. you have a delicious dish to enjoy.

Lettuce and Crispy Herb Chickpeas with Honey Calamansi Dressing

A bright citrus salad with crunchy oven roasted chickpeas.  

For the chickpeas drain 1 can.  Then season with salt, paprika, and cayenne.  Place in baking pan with oil, then it should take about 20 minutes, make sure to shake every 5 minutes. 

For the honey calamansi dressing simply whisk together calamansi juice, honey and olive oil  Then season with salt and black pepper.  Then toss lettuce with dressing then top with crunchy chickpeas. 

Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil ala Ina Garten

For the past several days the temperature has been extremely hot and unbearably humid too, so I have been trying to make dishes that are quick to make so I don't have to be in the kitchen too long.  I love to cook but sweating like a pig while in the kitchen is no fun.  Making a pasta dish is always my go to solution for days like this one.  I can make a delicious and filling meal with  minimal prep and cooking time.

I already made a similar pasta dish last Saturday,  but since I still had some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil  I decided to make this quick and yummy dish I got from Ina Garten.  Since she is the expert here is the link to the original recipe.   Happy cooking.

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil

I love trying out recipes that I get from either relatives or friends.  This is a very simple and quick to make pasta dish that my cousin Kuya W. shared with me and the Little Ones.  It is so simple the kids can do this.

What you need:

1 pack of cherry tomatoes or ordinary tomatoes will do too

1 pack fresh basil leaves

Olive oil

500 grams pasta noodles, the original recipe calls for Angel Hair pasta, but you can use any long pasta that you want

Cheese of your choice

Salt and pepper

Using your hands break the tomatoes, place in a huge serving dish or bowl.  Next tear up the basil leaves, add to serving dish/bowl.  Then add as much olive oil that you want, I don't really measure things, so I just eyeball it.  You want to make sure you add enough oil so that the pasta will be coated with oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Next cook the pasta, when cooked  drain then immediately add to the bowl with tomatoes and basil. Mix everything together, then you can add cheese.  We like using either parmesan or feta cheese, but you can also use cheddar cheese.

Broccoli In Garlic Cream Sauce

Since I have given up eating beef, pork and chicken, I have been trying to get the Little Ones to eat more vegetables.  We all know it can be  difficult to convince kids to eat their veggies, but with this dish you won't have a hard time.  This is their favorite broccoli dish and it is so simple to make.

What you need:

1 large head of broccoli chopped. If you can get one with the stalk that's fine I use the stalk as well, just make sure to peel it, and then dice.

8 cloves of garlic minced

1 pack of cream we use Alaska Creama

In a pan heat some oil under low heat, then saute garlic until fragrant, don't let it brown.  Then add the peeled and diced broccoli stalk, saute for about 1 minute.  Then add the chopped broccoli florets, season with salt and pepper.  Afterwards add the cream and let it cook for about 2 minutes, and that's it.  Quick and yummy vegetable dish the kids will love.  

Zesty Salsa Mac

I never could imagine that a fusion of Italian and Mexican could work, however this dish proves otherwise.  A quick snack that both the kids and grown-ups will definitely enjoy.

Here is the recipe:

1 7.3 ounce package Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 cup chunky salsa

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1. Cook Macaroni and Cheese as directed on the package.  

2. Stir in salsa to the pan and heat with the pasta for another 2 to 3 minutes

3. Top with diced tomatoes and grated cheese, serve immediately.