Day 231: 15 minute pasta sauce...that doesn't come in a jar

Last night I was struggling to find something to make for dinner.  I had a pack of whole wheat rotini, and a can of whole tomatoes.  Together, with a few other staple ingredients I was able to make something quick and easy for my whole family to enjoy.  Yes, it was just pasta and sauce, but I made the sauce myself instead of breaking into my emergency stash of jarred pasta sauce.  The real thing has more depth of flavor, and tastes amazingly good!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

3-4 cloves garlic

1 green onion

15 oz can of whole tomatoes

basil

oregano

red pepper flakes (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

8 oz package of pasta 

parmesan cheese (to sprinkle afterwards)

1.  Start boiling water, with a dash of salt.  When water comes to a boil, put in pasta until it is no longer al dente (about 10-15 minutes).

2.  Slice up the green onion, and mince or crush the garlic.  Heat the oil on low to medium in a pan, sauting the green onion and garlic.  Add tomatoes and stir.  

3.  Reduce to a simmer.  Add the basil, oregano, salt and pepper to taste.  Drain the pasta, and add to the pan with the sauce.  Stir under low heat.  Serve immediately, with parmesan to sprinkle on top.

You can use whole tomatoes if you like.  Just put them under hot water for about 10 minutes, until the skin is soft and can be easily removed.  I used a green onion, because I happened to have it on hand, but if I didn't I would have used about 1/4 cup of sliced yellow or red onions.  I'm a fan of using what you have!  For the spices, I used a few dashes of the basil and oregano.  Hard to quantify, but if you are unsure just add a little at a time tasting in between.  I also added a dash of red pepper flakes for some spice, but you can leave that out.

As with any pasta sauce, adding veggies or ground meat can be added.  I have found on many occasions this pasta sauce really doesn't need much.  The tomatoes give it a nice hearty taste, without being too heavy.

Enjoy!

Day 17: Homemade Lara bars

As a delicious natural food and nut bar, I've basically fallen in love with Lara bars.  This all started when I kept them stashed in my nightstand drawer for late-night feedings with my newborn.  Not only are they delicious and filling, but I feel like they aren't that bad for me since they have mainly dates and nuts in them.  Ok, so some chocolate too, but who doesn't want chocolate in their "granola" type bars.

My favorite kind is Chocolate-Chip cookie dough, thought I also like Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip too.  I've been making them at home, which is super easy to do.  I followed the recipe from Oh She Glows, and every time I make them they only last about a day.  They are so good, so good, and I feel good because it limits my dependence on packaged foods.  

Day 10: The Supernut, the Almond

Almonds are a great snack to munch on!  Investing in 250 calories (approximately 35 almonds) will provide you with healthy fats, and may ward off such diseases such as diabetes and heart disease! These filling nuts are also very portable.  Keep them on hand to subside those hunger pangs!