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Heartwings Love Notes 777 - Simple Meals for Easy Days

Heartwings says, "The happiest cook has a few simple recipes for busy days when cooking time is short."

In the good weather when there is much to do in the garden and elsewhere, who wants to labor in the kitchen and spend time fussing
with complicated recipes? In addition, as farm stands open and crops are harvested local fresh green vegetables are more and more
available. It is such a treat when local asparagus as well as rhubarb become available. Both are helpful for the bodily cleansing that
helps make for a healthful change of season. It is such a treat to be able to find what you need locally grown.

This first recipe, Asparagus Pesto and Pasta goes together quickly, will please just about anyone, and is inexpensive to make.
Gluten free or intolerant diners can enjoy it using one of the many good gluten free pastas available in the local supermarkets. To
serve 4 to 6: Ingredients:1 Lb. Fresh Asparagus, trimmed (The equivalent of 2 cups) 3 or more fresh basil leaves or 1 or more tsp
dried; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup chopped pecans, walnuts or cashews, as you like; 1 small clove raw garlic, ¼ tsp
salt, 3 Tbs olive oil, 8 Oz fine spaghetti or fettuccini.

Method: Cook spaghetti to taste and drain. Add 1 Tbs olive oil and stir well. Place remaining oil, trimmed asparagus and all other
ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth, pour over spaghetti, stir and serve with a side salad and some fruit for a complete meal.
This is also a good recipe to have fun with: try other green vegetables and/or vary the herbs as desired. The addition of parsley would
be a natural. Or combine say half a cup of parsley and any green fresh or lightly steamed and still bright green vegetable.

To enjoy rhubarb easily, simply purchase fresh, young stems at the market or if you are lucky, pick them from a friend's rhubarb
patch. Snip them into inch or so sections with a pair of sharp scissors. Put them into the top half of a double boiler or a bowl that will
fit into a pot with some water in the bottom. Cover and steam for about 45 minutes. Add ½ to ¾ cups honey or sugar, to taste. Stir
well and chill. Serve any time of day for a refreshing treat as well as good cleansing for your system. Let your food be your medicine,
especially in the spring!

May your spring food be easy to fix and leave you time to enjoy other things.
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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