Creamy Goat Cheese, Basil & Spinach Pesto Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Pesto pasta has become my default when I don't feel like cooking a complex meal. It's a step above pasta with sauce out of a jar? Maybe? At least I make the pesto myself, which is really arduous: put some ingredients in a food processor and press on... Whatever. It's delicious!

         

This pesto is a little lighter than your average pesto, with goat cheese instead of parmesan, spinach, and no nuts. I like to add some sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes (I admit that those come out of a jar) to add another layer of flavor. I hope you enjoy this simple yet satisfying dinner (makes a great leftover lunch, too!).

Creamy Goat Cheese, Basil & Spinach Pesto

yields about 1 cup pesto

Ingredients:
2 ounces goat cheese
1 1/2 cups basil leaves
1 1/2 cups spinach leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1/4 - 1/3 cup olive oil

Directions:
Place goat cheese, basil, spinach, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend and slowly add olive oil until desired consistency is reached.

Smother on anything. Here I tossed the pesto with some pasta and sun-dried tomatoes.

Pesto can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Over time the pesto will brown. It's still okay to eat, but looks rather unappetizing.
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Hummus

Hummus. You've seen it at about every potluck/dinner party these days. You've probably bought a giant tub of it before. You've probably never made it yourself though, and lucky for you, it's super simple! You just chuck a bunch of ingredients into a food processor, and voila! you have a dip that deceptively makes you feel better about your hips than ranch dressing does.

I like to garnish my hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and either paprika or some sun-dried tomatoes, and serve with some cut up pita bread (that's on the list of things to bake!). But hummus doesn't just have to be an appetizer. You can pretty much spread it on whatever you like. I like to put it in my sandwiches and wraps for lunch.

This hummus takes five minutes to make, so try it out the next time that you have a party or want to switch up the lunch routine. And most importantly, enjoy.

Hummus

yields 4 cups

Ingredients:
2 16 ounce cans garbanzo beans, drained of liquid
3 tablespoons tahini
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons olive oil
7 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until evenly mixed and smooth (about 3 minutes).

Place in a serving bowl and top with olive oil and other garnishes (paprika, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, pine nuts, cumin, etc.).
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