Summertime Lunch

I was thrilled to find that I had basil coming up in a huge pot on my deck this spring from my basil going to seed last year. Yesterday I realized I had enough basil that Sweet Girl and I were able to make our first batch of basil pesto. How I love me some basil pesto!!!!

Today for lunch we made mini basil pesto chicken pizzas. First we started with a round flat bread that might be more for gorditas...these came from Christina's food co-op and are in my freezer.
Then I spread a layer of my basil pesto on the bread.

I had a box of grilled chicken from Aldi that I buy for suppers in a pinch so I cut it up into smaller pieces.
Sprinkled a little mozzarella on top and voila, lunch is served!
I had my pizza with a side of Magazine heaven (won as a giveaway from Jen at thecottagenest - check her out today, she's having ANOTHER giveaway!)...

followed by a banana smoothie (choice of Sweet Girl).
What are you eating today? Do you have any summertime favorites?

~Victoria~

Recipe

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts (I left out the nuts as I didn't have any on hand)
  
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.

Kitchen Storage Solution

This past weekend my husband bought me an industrial shelf to use as open shelving in my laundry room.



We have very little cabinet space in our kitchen and what we do have was poorly planned. I now have this shelving just around the corner so we can quickly grab bowls, pots, and baking stones when needed. The bottom shelves house things that we use less often. I keep adding to the shelves and so you are seeing pictures from earlier in the week and then again today.



I couldn't get a picture of the entire shelf in one frame. It is such a tiny room.

It just dawned on me that everything except for the cooking utensils and the little pitcher were either bought at Goodwill or a yard sale. We found the pitcher on clearance at Marshalls. The gold tray on the second shelf is also a favorite find from Goodwill.



I plan to use the basket to house a few longer items such as a carving knife and other seldom used but important utensils. If that doesn't work I have a larger basket that will take its place. The lamp will stay as long as it doesn't bug me or I need to space for something else. Things continually move around at my house.

It doesn't take much to make me happy and you can't believe how happy I am.

Here is the jumble under my cabinets before:




Now to the question of where I will put the large container of dog food and the box of treats that used to be housed on the new shelf wall? Right now it is just sitting on the floor in the kitchen. lol.



Have a wonderful Thursday.

Christina

I'll Have Rain and a Side of Grilled Cheese Please

(I found these old aluminum cups at a garage sale for $1.00 a few weeks ago)

So welcome to a rainy Monday in Georgia. The sounds of rain, music and the washing machine fill the background. The kiddos are quiet, one laboring over a writing class assignment, and the other quietly reading. I think grilled cheese sandwiches are in order.

I will be adding another layer of yummy to the old standard grilled cheese. This idea came from Victoria's friend, Joanne, a few years ago and boy does it take the classic grilled cheese to another level.

Layer fresh sliced tomato on buttered bread between the cheese. Sprinkle the buttered sides with Shaky cheese (what my family calls parmesan cheese in a shaker can). Grill to yummy perfection and enjoy.

Some with tomato.

For the more boring and picky among us, without tomato.

Oh and I think a side of music will just make this day perfect:

How about a free download to chase away the rainy day blues. This is the song featured in one of Amazon's Kindle commercials. Click on the album image below to get the free download.

I am a sucker for creative advertising and interesting music videos. They get my creative juices flowing.



If you like the sound of Little & Ashley you will find more of their music here and for a similar sound try the She & Him Volume Two album for $5.00 during the month of May at Amazon.

How about a little Joshua Radin. He is one of my very favorite artists.

try these out
I'd Rather Be With You
Brand New Day
Today



Forgiven Sanctus Real

Wonderful song and interesting video.

Happy Monday to you!

Christina