Pasta Italia

Tom and his companions often made this on their mission. It has become a staple in our family; especially in the summer when we can use our fresh grown basil. I've purposely not included measurements, because it is best accommodated to each family's tastes.

pasta
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
chopped tomatoes
chopped mozzarella (fresh is best)
fresh or canned corn
chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper

Cool your cooked pasta and splash the vinegar over top, so that it absorbs into the noodles, then splash a tiny bit of high quality olive oil over top, add lots of chopped tomatoes, cubed mozzarella, corn and basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir it up and serve it cold. It's best eaten outside!

Banana-y Banana Bread/muffins

I adore this recipe, and after making it tonight I just had to post it. While Banana bread can't exactly be called a health food, but hey! (I've inserted my changes in parenthesis.)

2 c flour (1 c. White Flour, 1 c Whole wheat)
1 tea. baking soda
1/4 tea. salt
1/2 c butter (I only use use 1/3 or less- you could probably use applesauce)
3/4 c brown sugar (1/2 c works fine, especially if you're going to add chocolate chips)
2 eggs (just use whites)
2 1/3 mashed bananas (be warned this is A LOT of bananas)
(opt. chocolate chips, dash of cinnamon, splash of vanilla)

Sift together the tried, beat together the wet, and combine! Cook at 350 for 60-65 min. Or put them in muffin tins for around 25min.