Green Beans with Pesto

Don't you love how sometimes the simplest dishes can be so tasty? Our youngest turned three yesterday so I made some of her favorites for dinner last night.  Slow cooker mac & cheese (more on that another day), honey drizzled carrot fries (another big hit) , and these pesto green beans were on the menu and she was so happy - that kid will eat anything with pesto on it! But it's got to be the good stuff - homemade or store bought fresh.  She's a definite foodie in the making already. ;)

1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed

1 tsp. olive oil or butter

1 - 2 TBSP your favorite pesto, or to taste

Parmesan cheese, grated - optional

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add green beans.  Allow to cook 3-4 minutes.

Remove from heat, drain beans, and immediately rinse with cold water.  Pat dry.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tsp. olive oil over medium high heat.  Add the green beans and toss to coat a minute or so, until heated through.

Remove from heat and toss with as little or as much pesto as you like.  Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve warm.

Or refrigerate and serve cold.  It's good either way.

How to Make the Perfect Shirley Temple

I don't think there's a girl out there who doesn't love Shirley Temples.  This classic kids' cocktail has been my older daughter's favorite restaurant treat for years.  Just a few nights ago, we wanted to go out for dinner and gave her the honor of choosing the restaurant.  She immediately chose a place nearby that we all know and love and while waiting for our table, I asked her why she chose this place.  Her response - "They make the best Shirley Temples!"

What?!  Really?!  Okay, they make a darn good margarita, too, but that's beside the point.  Such a thing has never been my basis for choosing where I want to eat my evening meal.  Right then and there I decided it was time to show this girl how simple it is to recreate her favorite restaurant drink at home.

She was amazed how easy it was and I was happy when she declared my Shirley Temple concoction, "way better than the ones at the restaurant!"  Psst... It's all about the cherry juice/Sprite ratio which will vary by glass size.  So easy:

1 bottle Sprite

1 jar maraschino cherries, with juice

1.  Fill glass with ice (we like the slushiness of crushed).

2.  Pour in the Sprite and 1-2 TBSP cherry juice.

3.  Top with cherries and serve.

Sit back and let the little ones praise your talent.  

They'll think you're a master mixologist!

4th of July Flag Toast and Watermelon Stars

4th of July food has historically been all about lunch around here, with leftovers available for grazing throughout the remainder of the day.  This year, we switched things up a bit by going out for lunch and saving the big All-American feast for dinner.  But first, my daughter and I threw together this super cute and easy breakfast:

sliced bread

cream cheese

strawberries

blueberries

1.  Toast the bread and allow to cool a minute or two.

2.  Spread with cream cheese.

3.  Add blueberries and strawberries to represent stars and stripes.

                             

For the Watermelon Stars, a cookie cutter makes preparation quick and easy.  I use this one twice a year - Christmas and 4th of July!

                                       

                                       

Toddler-Approved Pasta Dinner

Do you buy canned raviolis and o's for your little one?  If so, stop it right now!  It's way too easy (and cheap) to make your own!  My two-year old loved this today and even the 20-year old gave it a thumbs up.

Notes:

* As usual, I subbed non-dairy products for the milk and butter
* I use white sugar but think this would be just as tasty with Splenda or maybe agave (haven't tried them yet).
* Pasta I used was the dried mini raviolis from Trader Joe's.  Next time, I'll use fresh though.

15oz. can tomato sauce

2 TBSP milk

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1 TBSP butter

3 TBSP nutritional yeast

2 TBSP sugar

2c small-medium size pasta

1.  Cook the pasta according to package instructions.  Drain and set aside.

2.  In a medium saucepan, over medium high heat, melt the butter.

3.  Add remaining ingredients and heat through, stirring frequently.

4.  Top pasta with sauce and serve.