The Be Pro-Veggie Blog

Picnic plans...

Although hiking in fall can be pretty spectacular in Massachusetts because of the changing leaves, I love summer hiking because it offers some ideal spots for the perfect picnic!  My favorite hikes in the area are along the Mt. Sugarloaf and Mt. Tom trails.  Sitting hillside with my friends on a big blanket while enjoying the amazing view and good conversation is one of the best things in the world.  My favorite picnic staple is Lightlife's Creamy Tempeh Salad - it keeps me satisfied on the hike back home and is extremely easy to throw together before a spur of the moment hike. J   A few other picnic must-haves include: fruit, lemonade and a Frisbee!  

 

To make the Tempeh Salad you need:

 

2 packages Lightlife Tempeh

½ cup green pepper, diced

½ cup red onion, diced

1 cup celery, diced

½ cup sweet relish

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1 tsp. fresh dill, cilantro or parsley

¼ tsp. black pepper

¾ cup soy mayonnaise

1 tsp. horseradish (optional, for extra zing!)

 

Preparation:

 

Dice tempeh into ½ inch cubes and steam for 15 minutes to tenderize. Cool completely.  Place in mixing bowl.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix well. Serve on a bed of lettuce garnished with tomato wedges and olives.  Makes a great sandwich filling, too!

 

What are your favorite picnic recipes and activities?  Let me know so I can try them on my next hike!

 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 10:12AM Jul 09, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

The first days of summer

In Turners Falls it has been feeling like summer for weeks, and now it's finally here!  I love flip flops, fresh veggies, the longer days, holiday parties and the beach-which is why this is my favorite season of the year.  So far, I've enjoyed visiting Enterprise Farm (my farm share) for the freshest summertime veggies, and I'm gathering recipes to cook with my housemate.  Two recipes that we are going to cook up to celebrate the first day of summer are barbecue tofu salad and grilled chick'n with 'honey' lime and chipotle sauce.  YUM!        

These meals have the flavors of summer and incorporate some pro-veggie protein as well.  Lightlife's strips and tenders, dogs, sausages and frozen line offer great ways to reduce meat this summer.  In fact, Lightlife Smart Dogs are sold at six Major League ballparks!  Try these recipes and let me know your thoughts.

 

BBQ Tofu Salad

Ingredients

1/2 lb. tofu

1/2 cup green peppers, diced

1/2 cup Spanish onion, diced

2 Tbsp. cilantro, roughly chopped

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 cup whole-kernel corn

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

 

Directions

1.       Wrap the tofu in clean towels and gently squeeze the water out. Dice into ½-inch cubes. Dice the green peppers and onions. Chop the cilantro into small pieces. Combine these ingredients in a large bowl, being careful not to break the tofu cubes.

2.       Combine the cumin, corn, vegan mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Mix well.

3.       Gently combine the tofu mixture with the dressing.

 

Grilled Chick'n with 'Honey' Lime and Chipotle Sauce

 

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp. honey alternative or agave nectar

4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1 serrano chile or jalapeno pepper, minced

1 chipotle chile, in adobo

Pepper, to taste

1/4 tsp. cornstarch

1 Tbsp. cilantro, minced

1 lb. mock chicken (Lightlife Smart Cutlets® Original)

 

Directions

1.       Preheat the grill.

2.       In a food processor or blender, pure lime juice, "honey," garlic, serrano chile or jalapeo pepper, chipotle chili, pepper, and cornstarch.

3.       Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized sauce pan and boil until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in the cilantro.

4.       Brush the chick'n lightly with the glaze.

5.        Grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning once. Just before removing the chick'n from the grill, baste with the remaining glaze.

6.       Remove from the grill and serve.

 

What inspires your summer meals?  Let me know!

 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member 

 

Posted at 09:03PM Jun 24, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[1]

National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month

June kicks-off Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and I'm so happy that some of my favorite fruits and veggies are now in-season.  Watermelon, corn, green beans, peaches and strawberries are among my top choices when picking out fresh produce-and they're all in-season.  To jump on these delicious and healthy foods, I'm going to make more smoothies this month.  Nothing is sweeter than fresh fruit in a glass with a straw and umbrella!  There are countless combinations, but I usually stick with the classic strawberry-banana smoothie.  Here's a quick recipe and all you need is a blender. 

Ingredients

2/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 banana, peeled

2 heaping cups (12 ounces) individually quick-frozen strawberries

Directions

1. Put the orange juice, yogurt, banana, and 1 cup of the berries in a blender. Blend using the pulse option. Once blended, add the remaining berries one at a time through the jar cap hole while the machine is running. Blend until smooth.

Additionally, I've found a salad recipe that combines fruits and veggies for a simple summer treat. 

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons slaw dressing
• 1 large carrot, pared and shredded
• 8 ounce crushed pineapple
• 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 dash ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Chill to blend flavors.

Do you have any good veggie and fruit recipes?  Let me know! 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member 

Posted at 11:10AM Jun 18, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Celebrating Father's Day

My dad and I are like two peas in a pod.  I often catch myself using phrases he would say when I was younger that I promised myself I would never use!  The one thing about us that differs drastically is our eating habits.

As you all already know- I don't eat meat.  And as I'm sure you can guess- my dad does. It's not that he doesn't eat healthy, because he does eat balanced, nutritious meals; he just doesn't see the need to reduce his meat intake. So for Father's Day I am taking a trip down to good old New Jersey and I'm going to cook him a meatless meal!  I'm not even going to tell him that it's veggie protein until he takes a bite so I can see his reaction. But shhhh don't say anything!

Father's Day recipe: 

Gimme Lean Sausage Cheddar Quiche, serves 6

Ingredients:

3-1/2 oz Gimme Lean® Sausage 

1 frozen pie crust 9-inch

2 cup whole milk 

3 eggs 

1/4 cup onion 

1/4 cup Cheddar cheese 

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 

1/4 tsp salt 

1 salsa optional

Directions:

Bake pie crust according to the package directions and set aside. Sauté sausage and onions in cooking oil or spray, then transfer to cooled pie shell. Sprinkle cheese over sausage and onions. Beat milk and eggs, add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix together and pour over sausage, onions and cheese.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

I'll be sure to let you know his reaction...and maybe even take a picture of his face when he takes the first bite if I can catch him at the right moment. J

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 03:56PM Jun 15, 2010 by Rachael in About  |  Comments[0]

Asparagus, Asparagus & More Asparagus!

Asparagus is a funny vegetable. Have you ever seen it grow in a garden? I have, and it's pretty unique. It literally grows straight out of the ground like you see it when you buy it from the store. My mom used to have it growing in our garden in the back yard.  If we waited too long to cut it, it would start to flower and you couldn't even tell that it was a vegetable anymore. It was always a treat to be able to eat it freshly cut from the garden. My farm share starts in just a few weeks and I believe it's one of the first things that I am going to be able to pick up! Mmmm. Yummy! J

Try this Tempeh - Asparagus recipe; I'm planning on making it tonight.

Ingredient List

Serves 6

• 1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 1/2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 Tbs. fermented black beans, rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
• 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. vegetable oil
• 3/4 lb. asparagus, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 3 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced

Directions

1. Steam tempeh in steamer basket over boiling water 10 minutes. Whisk together soy sauce, black beans, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and 1/4 cup water. Toss tempeh with soy sauce mixture in bowl, and let stand 10 minutes.
2. Combine broth, cornstarch and vinegar in small bowl. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, bell pepper and mushrooms, and stir-fry 3 minutes. Add tempeh mixture, and stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes more, or until vegetables are crispy. Pour in broth mixture, and cook 1 minute more, or until sauce is thickened. Serve over rice, if desired.

 

Let me know if you have any favorite recipes featuring asparagus!

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 04:15PM Jun 08, 2010 by Rachael in About  |  Comments[0]

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend Memorial Day will kick off the summer season of backyard cookouts. For as long as I can remember my family always rented a house on Long Beach Island, which is a beach spot not too far from where I grew up, for the weekend.  All of my relatives and family friends would come down and we would always be able to see the parade from the porch on Sunday morning. Since I live up in Massachusetts now, I won't be able to make the family gathering this year. But that's ok because throughout June, July and August, I am invited to countless BBQs and I rarely turn an invitation down if I can make it!

 I love spending time outside on warm summer nights after work or on weekend afternoons, the only challenge is remembering to be prepared with my veggie friendly grilling food.   Since I am only among a small handful of other veggie-lovers within my group of friends, I always show up prepared with  my own main course...Lightlife Light Burgers -Original, Mushroom or Veggie - or Lightlife Smart Sausages Smoked, Chorizo or Italian.  The Light Burgers can be thrown on the grill or in a skillet on the stove, which is also the best place for the Smart Sausages.  Usually, I prefer cooking my meat in a separate skillet when with a mixed group of herbivores and omnivores, and then moving to the back yard to chow down.  I also love putting mushrooms, zucchini and peppers in a vegetable grill basket- they give me the smokey flavor from the grill I crave!  And I love using the leftovers to top off a salad the next day at lunch.  Reminds me of being outdoors the night before when I am sitting at my desk during work wishing I could be outside in the sun. J   

Do you have any good veggie grill recipes?  Let me know! 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member 

Posted at 01:38PM May 28, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Smith College Grad Event

A few weeks ago I performed in another dance performance at Smith College. One of the women who I danced with in my show earlier in the year asked me to participate in her piece that she was choreographing for April, and of course I couldn't turn it down! Both my mom and boyfriend came to see the show and walked out saying that it was the best performance they had seen me dance in yet. J Here are a few pictures:

As usual, my rehearsals were a lot of fun and helped me stay in shape, but I definitely started to feel the pressure of making everything fit into my schedule. As I gain more work experience I have been given more responsibility and I have also started to travel quite often. I absolutely love it, but it has forced to me to plan farther in advance than I'm used to so that I can continue to eat healthy on-the-run. With hardly any time at home during the week, I have learned that I need to have at least one full day of the weekend around the house. I use part of that day to plan my meals for the week, which makes the work week run more smoothly. This way even if I'm swamped with work and dance practice, I know that when I get home I'll have something healthy waiting for me that I'll enjoy!

I know this probably sounds silly to those of you out there who have families and have been planning your meals around your busy schedules for years; but for me this is totally new and one of my biggest challenges in balancing my life. I never thought that I would be planning what to eat on Friday for dinner the Sunday before! Still not sure how I feel about this growing up deal-I'm starting to feel a little more like my mom each day!

If you have any quick veggie meal ideas please send them my way!

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 04:02PM May 24, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[1]

Summer Biking

Now that the weather is warming up, my bike is out of storage!  I've been a pretty avid rider since college...it was my preferred form of transportation getting to and from class; faster than walking, but more economical and environmentally sound then driving.  At that point, I had a mountain bike.  Since I never made it to any off-road terrain, I recently decided that I want to upgrade to a road bike, which is much lighter and easier to ride around town.  If I didn't live 20 miles from work like I do now, I'd definitely be still biking it during the warm weather months. 

 

Since I do not have the time to ride to and from work on my bike, I save leisurely rides for the weekend.  I can't wait to take a long ride this Sunday!  There is a bike path that connects my town with other towns in the area.  The Norwottock Rail Trail is an 11 mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston & Main Railroad right-of-way. It gets its name from the Native Americans who lived here before the European settlers. Translated, norwottuck means "in the midst of the river," the Native American term for the entire area.  The ride gets me outside for the day, provides a little bit of a history lesson and I also get to add some variety to my running and dancing exercise routine!

What do you like to do outdoors in the summer or as the weather starts to get warmer? 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member  

Posted at 04:03PM May 17, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Farm Share

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I am a pro-veggie girl!  I love supporting local, organic farmers and recently found a great way to buy fresh, locally-grown vegetables all summer long.  You may have heard about farm shares, which are essentially community-supported agriculture co-ops.  Farmers that operate farm shares offer memberships to the public and interested consumers receive a rationed amount of produce each week.  Established in 1983, Enterprise Farm is one of the longest running certified organic farms in Massachusetts, and I am lucky to live so close-only about 15 minutes away.  My housemate, an art teacher at Snow Farm, turned me on to this program-all of her colleagues are supporters of organic farming and she thought it might be something we would like to take part of this summer.

 

One day each week from June through November, my housemate and I will stop by the farm for our weekly share of their produce.  And the best part, we'll get a mix of things like asparagus, arugula, garlic, onions, greens, salad mix, berries, peaches, apples, corn, tomatillos, zucchini, squashes, peppers and much more.  There are so many summer recipes I can't wait to make with these fresh veggies! 

 

If you do not have access to a Farm Share in your area, Farmers markets are another wonderful option for fresh, local produce.  You can find them in almost every major metropolitan area.  Check your local newspaper calendar listings for information or try this link.  The markets are different than farm shares because they are set-up to sell their produce alongside other farms and do not ration their supply.  I'd love to hear about your experiences with both local farmers markets and farm shares in your area. 

I'll be sure to post pictures this summer of our trips out to the farm on Facebook!  Be sure to follow @Lightlife on Twitter, too. J

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 11:28AM May 11, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Cinco de Mayo!

Need a spicy kick to your eating routine?  Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is a great day to take your taste buds south of the border.  The holiday celebrates Mexico's historic victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla, and gives me a reason to cook up some of my favorite Mexican dishes.  Just thinking about guacamole, pico de gallo and yummy salsas, makes my mouth water.  And, the colorful ingredients make party platters fun and festive.  For this year's Cinco de Mayo party, I have a few delicious dishes to suggest.  Make a plate of Burrito Bites and offer a spread of No Meat-a-Fajitas for your guests because they taste great and are easy to prepare! 

 

If you are looking for more simple options, remember that cervezas and dip are an easy, quick way to recognize the day.  Here's how to make my favorite Hot Mexican Dip:

 

Ingredients:

1 pkg Smart Ground® Original 12 oz each

1-1/2 tsp chili powder 

1 tsp onion powder 

1 can fat-free refried beans 16 oz each

1 diced green chilies 4 oz each

3/4 cup taco sauce 

2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheese blend 

1 cup fat-free sour cream 

1/3 cup green onions 

1 Tbsp olive oil 

 

Crumble Smart Ground® Original into a large bowl. Add chili powder and onion powder.  Set aside.  In a 13 X 9 X 2 baking dish coated with olive oil, layer the beans, Smart Ground Original mixture, green chilies, taco sauce, and 1 1/2 c cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until cheese melts and bubbles around the edges.  Cool for five minutes.  Spread sour cream on top; sprinkle with green onions and remaining cheese.  Serve with tortilla chips.

 

Check back next week for Mother's Day recipe ideas and some great artichoke recipes.  Adios!

 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 08:05PM May 05, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Developing a green thumb...

We all know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers."  Throughout my life, my mother has always been an avid gardener.  She spends tons of time in the backyard, tending to the yard and always knows the names of all the flowers and trees she comes across - not just the ones at our family home.  She got the talent from my Nana, whose passion was to keep her garden thriving year long even if she had to move most of her plants indoors come winter time. I've often wondered if and when I will inherit their green thumb. 

Since I do not have a backyard or any place to plant at my townhouse, the opportunity has not come to me yet.  However, I have decided that I'd like to have some greenery around to brighten my day.  I'm heading to our local garden center to get all the necessities to plant some flowers in pots to line our front porch and also to start an indoor herb garden.  I have the perfect spot for the herbs in front of our kitchen windowsill.  And you can't get much fresher than something grown at home - I'd like to have basil, chives, dill, rosemary and sage.  I can already taste a fresh dill, cucumber and tomato salad.  It will be gardening with training wheels for me!  Any thoughts or pointers are welcome.

My experience so far with gardening has just not been successful. One job that got passed to me when I first started at Lightlife was to just simply water the plants around the office. But of course within the first few months I let one of the trees die. Fortunately for Lightlife though; there are others in the office that have much better luck at making indoor plants thrive! We actually have an ivy plant that stretches across the tops of all of our cubicles on one side of the office that's been alive for almost 4 years. It is just one of the things about Lightlife that makes our working environment comfortable and home like instead of being so stark like most office buildings.

Take a look:

 I'm curious, is developing a green thumb something that you get a knack for as you get older?  Maybe when you own your first home?  Let me know what sparked your interest in gardening...

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 09:02AM Apr 30, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Its time for farmers markets :)

I know I am getting ahead of myself, but summer is coming soon!  One of my favorite things about the warm weather months are farmers markets. The weekly market in my local downtown area takes up a whole block on Sundays until 2pm, and has everything from goat cheese to local flowers, and of course every veggie you can imagine!

Each Sunday my housemates and I race to get up, no matter what our weekend plans entailed, so we have the best pick of the produce.   It's also a really fun way for us to plan meals.  Whether it's being inspired to grill out by some great corn on the cob, or come up with a great tasting salad by some ripe, red tomatoes we usually let the fresh picks available appeal to our stomachs and determine the course of our meals for the week. 

Our local market starts in May and runs through November.  However, I found this great resource on the Natural Resources Defense Council Web site that helps you find fresh, local produce in your area no matter what the season.  Check it out here!

 What are you looking forward to when it warms up? 

 

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 02:04PM Apr 27, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Earth Day

Happy Birthday!  Earth Day (April 22, 2010) turns 40 this year and right now the planet is receiving a lot of attention.   Although we should consider the planet every day, Earth Day is a nice reminder to incorporate green habits into our lives to keep our world beautiful.  In fact, Earth Day Network has created programs to get everyone involved to make our planet cleaner and more sustainable. 

Now is the perfect time to step up and take on their initiatives that include:  Global Days of Service - April 17 - 18, Billion Acts of Green, Arts for the Earth, Songs for the Earth Contest and Athletes for the Earth.  Or, stop by the events on The National Mall in Washington, DC:

 

• Earth Day 40th Anniversary Events - April 22
• Change the Climate Rally - April 25
• Exhibitions and Performances on The National Mall - April 17-25

 

Protecting and saving our resources is as simple as planting a tree.  When I was in first grade on Earth Day, everyone in class got a sapling to take home and plant. It was a way to get kids excited about the environment and what they could do to contribute. Mom planted the tree for me, since of course being 7 years old I got distracted as soon as I got home from school; and to this day it still stands!

 

 I'd like to challenge everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle more at home, and be mindful of the energy we exhaust.   At Lightlife we believe it only seems right to do the same.  Implementing environmentally friendly practices is something we take great pride in.  Here are just a few ways we're showing Mother Nature some much deserved respect.

 We revamped our plant lighting from white light to warm light, improving light quality for everyone (warm light acts as natural sunlight), while eliminating the need for increased lighting - and the energy it would require.  The plant lighting is also on a motion sensor so we're not using energy when we don't need it.  Lighting isn't the only way we're conserving resources.  Converting Lightlife's steam heat pasteurization process to a hot water system decreased our water usage and brought significant energy reduction as well.

Local farmers have always been the beneficiaries of our rich and natural compost.  Much of our organic waste is composted to grow veggies, grain and flowers for others.  We're reducing our carbon footprint in a way that supports developing communities which is something that I personally believe strongly in. If you can help communities flourish, I think the people within them can then do their part individually.   

 I would love to hear about your environmental efforts-send me a message on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (@Lightlife).  Happy Earth Day!

 Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 01:20PM Apr 22, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

National Poetry Month

Have any of you ever gotten into writing poetry?

I have tried a few times, but have never written something that I'm very proud of. I love to write though. I keep a journal where I free-write anything that is on my mind. It is one of the things I like to do when I just need to vent.  I don't worry about structure or making sense - just putting pen to paper and releasing thoughts from my mind does it for me. There is something about writing whatever pops into my mind and not worrying about whether or not that word makes sense in the sentence or if I'm writing in the correct tense that is relaxing for me. That could quite possibly be why I have never enjoyed writing poetry. Or maybe it's because I have never thought of poetry as an unstructured form of writing and that's why it intimidates me.

Regardless of my writing skills, I really love to read and hear other people's poetry. Since it's National Poetry Month, there are plenty of poetry readings going on around town for me to attend where I can do just that!

The Green Street Café in Northampton is known for its open mic nights and poetry readings and is one of my favorites in town. If you are in the area, here's their schedule for the month:

GREEN ST. POETRY SERIES
Green Street Café
Northampton, Massachusetts

The Green St. Poetry Series showcases the voices of emerging and noted poets from the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts and beyond.

Future Readers Include:
March 18 --Stephen Lindow & Frankie White
March 25 -- Tory Rosen & Diana Alvarez
Wednesday March 31--David Giannini & Gary Metras
April 8 - Jono Tosch & Matt Suss
April 15 --Anne Holmes & Christie Crutchfield
April 22 -- Richard Michealson & Daniel Hall

If you are a poet and would like to read at Green Street, please contact Maria Williams-Russell at mariawilliams@gmail.com.

Who is your favorite poet?

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

Posted at 03:24PM Apr 19, 2010 by Rachael in Blog  |  Comments[0]

Spring Veggies

My taste buds are leaping to try all the fresh flavors that are starting to crop up.  After a season of hearty recipes, it's time to introduce spring's best veggies back into my diet.  Artichokes, asparagus, radishes, watercress, rhubarb, sugar snap peas, scallions and spinach are a few that should start to be in season at your local market. 

A few things to check out when picking fresh produce:  Make sure asparagus stalks are firm but tender, and artichokes should be compact and plump with thick, green, tightly closed leaves. Avoid any with leaves that are dry, spreading or hard. 

Later in spring, corn will be at its best.  Be sure to find medium-sized ears with large kernels and smooth green husks.  I have to say I'm partial to the almighty famous Jersey corn. I can¿t help it¿.no other corn can really compare to when I can get it from the farm stand across from the house I grew up in! I can¿t wait to start grilling this summer.  YUM!

If you are planning a spring dinner party, I recently made this lovely, simple recipe that can be served as a delicious side or the main dish.  Combine asparagus, snap peas and penne pasta for an easy crowd pleaser¿all you need is:

• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 (8 ounce) package sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 1 (8 ounce) package dry penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add asparagus, and cook for 2 minutes. Add peas, and cook for 2 more minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside. Add pasta to boiling water, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Place pasta in the bowl with asparagus and peas. Toss with olive oil, Parmesan, salt and pepper.

I also added a few sundried tomatoes and Lightlife Savory Tenders to top it off! Find more spring recipes at http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Penne-with-Spring-Vegetables/Detail.aspx.  Do you have a favorite spring meal?

Rachael

Lightlife Team Member

 

Posted at 03:27PM Apr 16, 2010 by Rachael in About  |  Comments[0]