EASY SUMMER SUPPER

A new blog feature-What's Cooking in Vienna.
I will post every Wednesday a recipe of some type. Oldie-but-goodie or something new-you need to tune in to see!

Last night's supper was YUMMYLICIOUS and super easy:

Strawberry/Spinach Salad

Homemade Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

You do remember I grilled chicken 2 days ago? I always grill enough to make two meals with. Last night's dinner preparation probably took 30 minutes including cooking the pasta. EASY - PEASY!

Make your dressing for the strawberry salad and let it sit in the frig at least an hour before you dress your salad-you know mingle the flavors.

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

Mix the ingredients down to the spinach in a bowl with a whisk. I did not have any poppy seeds so just left them out-you could probably leave both of the seeds out and it would be fine. I used a red onion to give it a little bit of heat. The difference in the spicy and sweet makes for a great combination. Put it in the frig and let it sit. 15 minutes before eating mix the spinach, strawberries & almonds and pour the dressing over and toss. Put back in frig for 15 minutes.

Homemade Pesto

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves washed

1/2 c pine nuts

3 cloves garlic minced

1 c. olive oil

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Put basil and pine nuts in food processor and pulse a few times. Add garlic and pulse again. Slowly add olive oil while processor is on, occasionally stop and scrap down the sides. Add Parmesan at the end. Salt & Pepper to taste.

I coated whole wheat pasta with the pesto and sprinkled Parmesan cheese on top and layered sliced chicken on top.

It was great & Bobby LOVED it!

I will post the winner of the Anniversary Contest tonight. As for now, I am trying to get moving again after a 5 mile sweltering run (did not stop-but was SLOOOOWWWW) and 3 mile walk.