A couple of years back I saw this recipe on an episode of Everyday Italian. The theme of the show was Picnic Planner, as Giada was packing a lunch to surprise her hubby with at work. The show was a bit cheesy, but the recipes had stuck in my mind for a while, especially the pasta. I love arugula and had wanted to make this for quite a while.

Earlier this year when arugula came in in the garden, I knew just what to use it for. I had always kind of thought this recipe was odd for a picnic, but after making it, I decided it was more like a pasta salad — perfect warm or at room temperature. The sauce you pour over it is basically a dijon vinaigrette, which is very quick and easy to make. Thus me making it this week with what I could find in the refrigerator and pantry. (more…)

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Dairy free, Dinner, Lunch, Quick and Easy by Courtney

This bit of Indian summer we’re experiencing is making me want to have one last hurrah of summery, grilling out sessions (you know, before those fall grilling out sessions that are more like tailgate fair). So I’m going to make some thin burgers, about a 1/4 pound each, perfect for stacking up for a double (or triple) cheese burger. I’m jonesing for a bit of fruit, and a fruit salad is the perfect way to trick myself into thinking this burger meal is healthy! Chips are added for good measure though. Really, who can eat a burger without some form of potato? (more…)

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Cooking outdoors, Lunch by Courtney

Attention Campbellites, this post is for you!

Actually, it’s for anyone that is experiencing those last warm days of summer that are fading into fall. This sandwich was inspired by products I pick up at my local farmer’s market, but if you’re not from these parts, you should easily be able to find most products in your local store (and the one secret ingredient online if not locally).

The veggie pita sandwich starts off with veggies – duh! Personally, I like to start with zucchini, summer squash, and onions. You could also try adding some tomatoes or eggplant to the mix. (more…)

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Cooking outdoors, Lunch, Sandwiches, Vegetarian by Courtney

Some people like a BLT. I’ve never been much on lettuce or tomatoes on my sandwich, so I’ve always made a BMT – bacon, mayonnaise, and toast. After years of making this sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I think I’ve hit upon the perfect ingredients for the perfect sandwich.

Not long ago, I stumbled upon Trader Joe’s organic mayonnaise. There’s something about this mayo – it just tastes so much better than the Hellman’s and such that you usually pick up at the grocery store (and we’re talking quick and easy meal here, so no making my mayo from scratch). Slather this on sandwich bread that has been toasted for a little wetness to all the dry. The bacon? (more…)

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Breakfast, Dairy free, Dinner, Drink Time, Lunch, Southern by Courtney

One of my favorite prepare-ahead meals is pizza. Every month or two, I make up a big batch of pizza dough (usually doubling or quadrupling the recipe I have for 2 12-inch rounds), and I portion those out into large size and individual size lumps that are frozen for later.

When I do this, I also like to cube up some mozzarella and portion it into baggies (generally around 5 – 8 ounces per bag) and make a few batches of pizza sauce, freezing those in individual baggies as well. At some point in the month or two, I end up poaching a bag of sauce here, a baggie of mozzarella there, and I end up with just the pizza dough. So there are a couple of go-to pizzas I make when missing the other ingredients. (more…)

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Dinner, Italian, Lunch, Pizza, Prep for Later Use, Vegetarian by Courtney