Do You Know Naan?

If you haven't ever tried Naan then please put it on the top of your grocery list. Naan is an soft Indian bread you can buy frozen at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. (Trader Joe's Quattro Formaggio is another great staple)





Lately I have been treating Naan like instant personal pizza dough, but it is a great substitution for any sandwich. Because summer = simple in my kitchen, choose one veggie, one herb and one cheese to top your Naan. Any combo will be great but here are two I know to be awesome...


Squash, Oregano and Quattro Formaggio Blend





Turn on oven to broil setting.
Slice squash fairly thin.
Roughly chop oregano.
Saute squash briefly in a small saucepan with oil to release some water.
Top frozen (or lightly microwaved) Naan with the squash, oregano and cheese.
Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Broil for a few minutes.


Tomato, Basil and Quattro Formaggio Blend




Turn oven to broil setting.
Slice tomatoes and set on a paper towel to soak up excess water.
Core tomatoes if still very watery.
Layer frozen or lightly microwaved Naan with tomatoes, basil and cheese.
Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Broil for a few minutes.


I hope these Naan pizzas bring excitement to your lunch like they did for me.

Weeknight Pasta Supper

I could make and eat pasta every night. Pasta dishes are most always easy, adaptable to the seasons and a great staple to pair with all kinds of veggies. My friends Leigh shared this recipe she discovered on the "Pioneer Woman" blog. The rich tomato sauce and spinach created a perfect pasta meal for a stormy summer night.

Pasta with Tomato-Blue Cheese Sauce

You will need:

1 pound angel hair pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 whole 28-ounce can diced* tomatoes, drained

dash of sugar

salt and fresh pepper to taste

crushed red pepper flakes to taste

3/4 cups blue cheese

1/2-3/4 cup half & half*

4 cups baby spinach

*I used crushed tomatoes and it tasted wonderful

*The original recipe called for 3/4 cup heavy cream and half & half. I used about 1/2 cup of half & half only, and the creaminess was ample.

Cook pasta according to package.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add minced garlic when hot- be careful not to burn.

Pour in tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to lowest temp.

Stir in blue cheese.

Add half & half or heavy cream to your liking.

Taste for seasonings.

Turn off heat.

Toss in spinach just before serving.

Fold in drained pasta and serve.