Spinach Pesto Pasta with a Twist

Pasta is always on the menu at home and there’s absolutely no way I’ll ever get tired of it! I was craving some this afternoon and I wanted to experiment with the ingredients I had on hand, so I came up with this simple and easy recipe. Most likely you have these basic ingredients in your kitchen, so give it a try!

Ingredients

• 1 package pasta of choice
• 1 lb spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1-3 garlic cloves (I like a lot of garlic)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 egg beaten (optional)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan boil water. Once water is boiling, add a teaspoon salt and all the pasta. Boil according to package instructions.
2. While the pasta is boiling, place all the other ingredients (except for the egg) into a food processor and mix until spinach is chopped fine and everything is mixed together.
3. Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to saucepan on low heat. Add egg and mix into pasta until slightly cooked. Add spinach mixture and stir.
4. Serve warm.

 

 

Buried Treasure

My father was recently given an Underwood Standard Typewriter No.3 as a gift and I was instantly mesmerized by it. There’s something about ”old” that’s magical to me. As I photographed it, I imagined where its home once was. With each key I pressed my mind drifted to thoughts of the man or woman who used this very piece of art.

No one knew when it was made and after a little research I discovered how to date it. I must say, I was like a child on Christmas morning when I finally located the serial number. I brought my flashlight out and searched every inch until suddenly I saw what looked like numbers under layers of dust and dirt. I gasped as if I’d found buried treasure. I gently scraped the dust away, and sure enough, there was the serial number I was desperately searching for: 379735. I ran back inside to search the database and I’d finally found my answer… a 1921 Underwood Standard Typewriter No. 3

If every day I experienced moments like this I would certainly be living the life I’ve always wanted, one filled with adventure, history, love and passion.

The Truth You Seek

Chirping birds gently awoke me this Sunday morning as if they were calling me outside to play. I picked a simple rose to photograph and then my mind just wandered, dreaming and exploring. After reading some Descartes the other week I was inspired by a quote and a few decorations from home. Needless to say, I had the best time today!

So blind is the curiosity by which mortals are possessed, that they often conduct their minds along unexplored routes, having no reason to hope for success, but merely being willing to risk the experiment of finding whether the truth they seek lies there.

---

Descartes on Rules of the Direction of the Mind: IV

Take a minute and let those words settle in. Read them again and again. Hopefully you will find them as beautiful and moving as I do. I dedicate this quote to my loving fiance who recently embarked on a new career far away from home. I think of myself in the same way, as I pursue the world of photography and self-expression. This new world is also far away from home, the home I call fear of failure. While I photographed today and as I write at this very moment, he is on my mind…

Ground Turkey Puff Pastry Pies

I have to give credit to my amazing mom for this recipe. She’s made this and variations of this recipe all throughout my childhood. It’s filled with delicious flavor and not to mention the puff pastry just melts in your mouth. It’s a perfect snack in the middle of the day and it’ll WOW your guests at a dinner party! I highly recommend trying this for yourself, you won’t be sorry!

Ingredients

• 1 package of ground turkey (about 1 lb)
• Olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 package of puff pastry (about 1/2 lb)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Salt, pepper, and dill to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
2. Preheat a skillet on medium heat and add olive oil. Next, add the onion and pinch of salt and saute until onion turns a translucent color. Add ground turkey and cook thoroughly. Remove skillet from heat and let the turkey cool down to room temperature.
3. Once the mixture is cool, add 1 egg, sour cream, flour, parsley and spices to taste and mix all together.
4. Cut the puff pastry into 4 equal rectangular pieces. Spoon mixture onto on side of rectangle and flip the other side over. Use a fork to press down on the edges, pinching the puff pastry together. Repeat for the other three rectangles.
5. Whisk the other egg in a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of water. Brush egg wash over the puff pastries.
6. Bake for about 40 minutes or until browned.