Meatless Monday!

Have you heard about this Meatless Monday movement that is going on? I think it is pretty cool. Basically they are saying that by removing meat from our menu for one day a week we will be cutting our consumption by 15%. By doing this we can improve our health and the health of our planet. You can find out more about it at their website or check out the video below.



I like this idea and decided to commit to doing it. My first attempt at feeding my children a meatless meal went over great. I took a recipe that I have for pasta fagoli and omitted the meat (which I don't usually even put in there) and switched out the chicken broth for some vegetable broth. It was a success. The kids didn't even realize they weren't eating meat. In fact, I am going to do this a few more times before I announce it to them.

Why wouldn't I just tell them you ask. Well, the little guys probably would think it was a great idea. I could show them the video and we could have some fun with it...which is exactly what we will do in a few weeks. The problem is the teenager. Yes, he is a meat eater and will complain incessantly about the lack of meat. I figure if I do it without him realizing it I will have some history to fall back on him when he complains. You know, "I've been doing it for a month now and you haven't complained once." Sneaky I know.

Now, if any of Cody's friends are reading this blog post (you know who you are), you better not let him in on the secret. I will know you did it :o)

Vegan Pasta Fagoli

2 TBL olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large carrot, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes
1 quart vegetable broth
2 cans cannellini beans
1/2 cup small pasta (tubettini or ditalini)
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt & pepper
red pepper

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot. Cook the onion, carrot and celery until soft. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Pour in the broth, beans and chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Remove a few scoops of the bean mixture and puree or mash. Return to the pot. * Add the pasta, parsley, and seasonings. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Serve in bowls topped with a drizzle of olive oil, some shaved Parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of chopped parsley.

*I use my immersion blender to thicken up the soup instead of taking the beans out and mashing them. It is quick and easy.

Is it Wierd to Eat Soup in the Summer?

Normally I would say yes. It just doesn't seem right to dig into a steaming hot bowl of soup in the middle of summer. I like to save that for fall nights when I am bundled up in my sleeping bag watching my kids play soccer or football.

Wait, I know it is summer but I was sitting outside bundled up in my sleeping bag on TUESDAY watching my kids play baseball. It was freezing. I wasn't the only one out there with blankets in case you are wondering. It really was cold out.

So yesterday I had a hankering for some soup. I went to my favorite old stand by, Pasta Fagoli. I decided to change it up a bit by adding some escarole. It was delicious.

So if it is chilly where you live right now, give this soup a try. If not, save it for fall. Here is the recipe:

Pasta E Fagoli
2 TBL olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 large carrots, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 can chopped tomatoes
2 quarts chicken broth
2 cans cannellini beans
1/2 cup small pasta like tubettini or ditalini
1/2 bunch escarole
salt and pepper
parmesan cheese

• Heat the oil in a large pot. Cook the onion, carrot and celery until soft. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
• Pour in the broth, beans and chopped tomatoes and cook for five minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to mash up some of the beans to thicken the soup. If you don't have an immersion blender you can remove a few scoops of the bean mixture and puree or mash.
• Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• Add the escarole and salt and pepper. Turn off the heat. The escarole will wilt quickly.
• Serve with parmesan cheese