Written by Alex Mackay
I wanted to focus on one of the hobbies that I have done the most of during
quarantine, cooking. I have had a lot of free time to cook new recipes, tweak old recipes, and try new dishes. I have included two of my favourite summer recipes: pesto pasta salad, strawberry spinach summer-salad! All three recipes are fairly easy to make
but have interesting flavours and can easily be adjusted for any dietary needs.
Pesto Pasta Salad
w/ Roasted Tomatoes
ACTIVE TIME: 30 MINUTES
SERVES: 6
2 cups sliced grape tomatoes
2 cups macaroni pasta
2.5 cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
PREHEAT the oven to 400 degrees F. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, add tomatoes cut side up. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Roast until shrivelled and golden brown for 25-30 minutes.
COOK pasta following the directions on the box. Then drain and drizzle with oil olive.
WHILE the pasta is cooking, make the pesto. Add basil, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt and olive oil to a food processor. Blend to combine, the pesto should have a pourable consistency.
TOSS the pasta and roasted tomatoes with the pesto in a large bowl.
Summer Strawberry-Spinach Salad w/ Poppyseed Dressing
ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES
SERVES: 6 (SIDE PORTIONS)
5 ounces organic spinach
2 cups halved strawberries
½ cup chopped red onion
½ cup feta crumbles
½ cup toasted sliced almonds
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
salt and pepper to taste
COMBINE olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, poppy seeds and salt and pepper in a small jar with a lid. Shake to combine.
ADD spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta, toasted almonds, and dressing to a large bowl.
TOSS to combine and enjoy immediately.
About the Author
Alex Mackay is a grade 12 IB student at Monarch park C.I, Toronto, Canada. She loves school and learning new things, as well as taking pictures, listening to music and meeting new people.
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