MEATLESS MONDAY - Whole Wheat Pesto Pizza

I'm revisitng this blog post because I love this pizza so much and it's super easy. And the funny thing is, when I posted it originally I wasn't even doing Meatless Monday. I'm glad I kept this recipe around. Pair this with a green salad and you have a great filling meal on this meatless day. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

MEATLESS MONDAY - Mary's Flavorful Red Sauce

My friend Mary made this for my family years ago and I fell in love with it. It really is so flavorful. It has a very pronounced salty flavor which I love from the olives and capers. It's super quick and easy to make. It's on the thinner side which I also love.

She came over a year or so ago and made it for us again, served it with a red wine and crusty french bread. It was such a treat!

Mary's Flavorful Red Sauce

6 cloves garlic, diced or minced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cans (soup can size) stewed tomatoes

3 Tbsp capers with juice

3/4 jar black kalamata olives, PITTED & sliced, with juices

4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1/4 cup Fat Tire Beer (optional)

In pan over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook garlic until soft but not brown. Add stewed tomatoes. Mix well. Add capers, olives, balsamic vinegar & beer. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes over low heat. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Wide Awake Coffee Shake

I know it's freezing outside in most of the world...well at least here in the U.S. But yesterday it was almost 90 degrees here in Arizona. So make this because not only is it delicious but because I'm wearing flip flops in November.

I found this recipe on the Cooking with Trader Joe's blog. I really love that blog. I love Trader Joe's so it gives me some ideas on how to use some of their prepared or packaged food that I otherwise probably wouldn't buy. I'm not a huge fan of prepared or packaged food but for some reason I walk into TJ's and I go nuts...it's pretty self explanatory...that place is just..well...you know...AWESOME!

The original recipe called for Nonfat Plain Frozen Yogurt. I have never used this before. And sad to say, I will never use again. That stuff is GROSS! So I made this with Dreyer's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream....Mmmmm...it was so good!

I also used the Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans. These things are like crack. DELICIOUS!

Coffee Shake

2 cups vanilla bean ice cream

1/3 cup cold strong coffee

15 chocolate covered Espresso beans

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

MEATLESS MONDAY - Spinach Artichoke Mushroom Quiche

I can't remember where I got this recipe but I'm so glad I found it! It was so yummy and dense. I hate puffy foods and quiche is up there right along with meringue and mousse. BLECH! But this quiche is dense and tasty. I can't wait to make it again.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

1 frozen pie crust, thawed or fresh pie crust

1 1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, chopped or sliced

1 cup half and half

4 eggs

1 cup Italian Blend shredded cheese (I used the Quattro Formagio from Trader Joe's which has Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Provolone)

1/2 cup chopped canned artichoke hearts (not marinated)

1 cup spinach, thawed and drained (1/4 packed, after drained)

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375

Saute the mushrooms in olive oil until brown about 3 minutes

Whisk together the eggs and half and half.

Stir in the cheese, artichoke hearts, spinach, mushrooms, nutmeg and salt.

Pour mixture into the pie crust and bake for 40 minutes (check to see if done by inserting a knife through the middle, if it comes out clean, it's done)

Let it cool for 5 minutes

Slice and serve

MEATLESS MONDAY - Vegetarian Taco Salad

This was super easy and super yummy and VERY filling! I somewhat followed a recipe but you can really add what you like. This is how I made them:

Vegetarian Taco Salad

Chips

Beans

Rice

Salsa

Tomatoes

Lime

Onion

Avocado

Cilantro

Romaine Lettuce

Olive Oil

Chili Powder

Oregano

Salt

Pepper Jack Cheese

Prepare your rice. I used spanish rice, I make it homemade.

In another pan, heat up the oil and soften the minced onions. Add chopped tomaotes and cook for a minute. Drain the beans and rinse them and add them to the tomato/onion mixture, cook for about 5 minutes. Add your spices to the mix. I used oregano, chipotle chili powder and salt. Add in your rice and heat through.

Assemble your salad.

Chips, lettuce, bean/rice mixture, shredded cheese, salsa and guacamole or cut up avocado. Mmmmmm, so good!