Someone to Love, Someone like you!

My sister's taco plate from a take-out joint in Pueblo, Colorado.

It only takes that spark of her sharing her delicious lunch for me to begin this insatiable craving for the same.  I had to have tacos.  There would be no rest until they were in my belly. This is what its like to have a sister that you bonded with gastronomically early in life.  We text about lunch or dinner and those seeds become reality if you wanna do right by your stomach and soul. Somehow the food experience becomes that much richer.

Being the younger sibling, I knew I would have to fight to stay on board the independent mysteriousness that was my big sister.  She was not keen on having me tag along to her new adventures after about 9 years old and even before that perhaps she was not as enamored of a pesky awkward runt. I think my excitement to be near was enough to scare her off.  Besides, she had her sights on the outside world, all the fun little gals around the neighborhood and beyond. Which is funny because in my mind I was like, I got it all here girl, can't ya see me?!  I had fun game ideas to last a life time, you just had to buy into the weirdness.  I always had my mind set on having her as a bestie from way early on. Like birth.  She would take years to realize my fabulousness but I might have finally roped her now later in life.  At least where sharing thoughts on food and men is concerned.  Maybe she's just desperate enough for a female friend.  I know I am. Either way I'll take the in whichever way I can get it.   

Shrimp pesto tacos with an avocado schmear.  When you teach yourself to cook, I think one advantage is that you are more likely to mash-up cuisines and styles because you can't recreate the classics as they should be made.  When you learn how to make dishes correctly, like my sister, then you are able to serve dishes perfectly and can enjoy them as they were supposed to be.

Try to Remember the Kind of September

This was one of those amazing days where I exercised in the morning, made two dinners and went to see a great afternoon movie.  As I lay on the couch today with a blanket over my knees I try to recall the mindset of getting so much done and realize good weather makes all the difference.  It's 27 degrees, feels like 16 as I'm writing this now.  I'm not looking forward to doing too much today except staying warm and horizontal.  

This was a Pesto Vinquini that is so easy with yogurt, ricotta, Parmesan and Pesto mixed to make the sauce. You can add fresh herbs and I made with broccoli but any green would do.

The Beef Veggoni, where the summer squash mocks the macaroni was not as visually appealing but super tasty and I would recommend taking the time to cut the vegetables just right so they mock the polpular tubular noodles.  This was ground beef in a quick spicy tomato sauce with mushroom, onions and garlic with the squash thrown in to the boiling sauce for only a few minutes to soften. Doesn't take long at all.  Top with Parmesan.

Lots of construction downtown Brooklyn.  It will be a brand new town at some point and from the looks of it, the people who will live here are not short on cash. 

The Blaze movie.  So good.  I had heard about this guy from P for years, not these huge stories but just of him, a guy that was around Texas that he knew of, that was also during the Townes era.  I have issue with the way Townes was portrayed, meaning his character but thought Charlie Sexton did an amazing job.  P disagreed and didn't see Townes in him at all.  I really hate that when you feel so strongly and your partner is on another plane entirely. I don't think that man who played Foley himself could have done a better job.  I liked all the characters and felt they put to life a story I held in my head for some time. 

We went to the park and ran the steps in the morning and someone displayed an outdoor art gallery on the public garden fence. 

The top of the park and steps.  That's P doing push ups.  I draw the line at that madness.

Pesto Vinguini

Pesto Vinguini

Too bad I didn't quite capture this well in photos because it was exceptional.  Zucchini noodles with a ricotta and pesto sauce with Parmesan.  The noodles were roasted first, topped with the sauce and then back in the oven for a few to get all hot, cheesy delicious.   That's it, that's the recipe.

Just pesto with a little Parm would be awesome had it been the full meal but as a side, this is great, slightly rich and most definitely satisfying.

I love the idea of making little birds nests to center fill.

And be sure to add those chili flakes.