Dinner for one - or Sauce for two

Tonight is the kind of night where I'm tempted to eat cereal for dinner. I fed all three kids around 5 and had some of their sweet potatoes, avocado and strawberries. My husband is out for a work dinner and now it's 8:00 and I'm thinking about what I should have. Since I had groceries delivered today I have a ton of fresh vegetables so I tell myself I have to make something. I don't feel like an omelet - which is my "go to" meal when I'm dining alone - so I decide on an "Italian Veggie Mix" see below. As always substitute what you have. To turn into a heartier meal serve over gnocchi with a glass of your favorite red wine.

Garlic 1-2 cloves
Shallot - one small
Wild mushrooms - small handful
Grape tomatoes - 6
Kalamata Olives - 3
Baby spinach - large handful
Pine nuts - a few
Julienned fresh basil - 4 large leaves
Parmesan cheese - 2t

Mince garlic and shallots. Place garlic in hot pan with EVOO. After 20-30 seconds add shallots. About a minute later add olives, tomatoes and mushrooms. Cook down until mushrooms are soft 3-5 minutes over medium heat. Add spinach, salt and pepper. Cook until just wilted. Transfer to bowl and sprinkle Parmesan and basil. Toast pine nuts on high in same fry pan for 30-60 seconds until lightly toasted brown. Pour over veggies. Serve.

A touch of India

This is a super easy dinner - A riff off of one of Arti Party's dishes. It's yummy but not overwhelmingly spicy. You can also make it with whatever you have in the kitchen.

Veggies (whatever you have on hand - I used shallot, celery, carrot, gourmet wild mushrooms and zucchini)
Whole Grain (could be previously cooked - e.g. wild rice, quinoa, steel cut oats, etc.)
Garlic, EVOO
Feta cheese (Greek)
1/2 t cumin
1 T coriander
handful fresh cilantro, parsley or mint

Mince Garlic. Fry in EVOO for 20-30 seconds. Add veggies. Cook down till soft. Sprinkle with spices - cook till done ~ 5-10 min medium heat.
Meanwhile broil grain with crumbled feta on top. Once hot transfer to plate.
Spoon veggies on top. Sprinkle with herbs. Serve. Enjoy.

Tuna Surprise, not Great - but Good Enough to Eat...

This isn't something I'd ordinarily make, but when we got home from vacation there was nothing fresh in the house. As a result I whipped up this quickly and it had variety even if it wasn't the best:

Package Annie's Organic Mac & Cheese
Cascadia or other organic mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
America's Tuna (or other line caught tuna)

Prepare the pasta and veggies according to the package. Mix in a can of tuna. Let stand 2 minutes to cool. Serve.

Waldorf meets tre colore

I had some left over arugula and some cut up grapes from school so I made this combo. Pretty yummy...

Arugula (torn)
Endive (chopped)
Radicchio (chopped) (can substitute romaine or bib for all lettuce if needed)
Walnuts
Grapes (halved)
Celery (sliced)
Apple (or Pear cubed)
Optional: raisins, cranberries, avocado

Dressing (for two):
~3T mayonnaise (I like the Canola kind)
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1-2t honey
S&P to taste

Toss the ingredients. Wisk the dressing & add to salad immediately prior to serving.