Backyard Pesto

I've been feeling a little uninspired lately with my cooking. This whole dairy, gluten, and sugar free world I'm catering to has cooked me into a corner. I'm not feeling the love in the kitchen. I need the love if I am meant to cook the love. I don't even like shopping for food right now, and that is usually the only kind of shopping I like.

So I hunkered down for a solid 3 minutes to peruse a few cookbooks. Due to time constraints, I didn't get through many but I did get slightly inspired. I decided not to go shopping and use the food I have at home. I kept it simple, and who knows it may work out. Tonight we are eating sweet potato fries, edamame with sea salt and sesame oil, white beans with corn and backyard pesto, and salmon salad served on romaine lettuce leaves. I'm sure my kids will recoil in disgust, but at least I'm excited about having dinner. It's been a long time.

Backyard Pesto

1 big handful of basil
1 small handful of chives
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove minced
juice of one lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Throw it all in a cup and blend with a hand blender. I opened a can of white beans, and after rinsing them, tossed them with two tablespoons of pesto. Then add cooked corn from half a cob.

Italian Dreams

I had one recurring fantasy when I was growing up. It wasn't to be a princess, or to get married, or own a pony. It was that my dad's job in HR at Sealtest was a sham, and that he was really a mafia kingpin. I know, it's a little weird. We got a fair bit of discounted ice cream when he was working at Sealtest, so in retrospect I'm not sure a job change would of worked out in my favour.

It isn't clear when or why I devised this dream life of living with the head of a mob family. There certainly weren't many indications that that was a reality. My parents were divorced which is usually not allowed, we weren't rich, and my dad own a little townhouse in Scarborough. He could of least moved to Little Italy to be closer to his secret life. My dad is half Italian which is the only thing connecting him to a life of crime.

I think I just wanted to be more Italian. Or more anything. I always found it a little boring to be a Caucasian with an English background. I wanted exotic blood running through my veins. The fact remains you can't pick your heritage. So I am what I am. But there is hope. Maybe Jess has a secret life?

Tomato Crostini with Sardines

can of sardines, well drained
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 small avocado, peeled and diced
8 fresh basil leaves, torn
juice of half a lemon
1 clove of garlic, peeled
1 tbsp of toasted pine nuts or walnuts
1/2 baguette, sliced and lightly toasted

In a bowl combine tomatoes, avocado, basil and lemon juice. Toss gently. Rub baguette slices with garlic. Spoon a little of the tomato mixture onto the baguette slices and top with bits of sardine. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.