March 21, 2010

Little Green Men and Florentine Pasta

In honor of St. Patrick's day that came and went uncelebrated on my blog, I figured I had better explain myself.

I always have in my head all the cute ideas I'm going to do with and for my kids for every holiday. 
But sometimes, well, it just doesn't happen. 

Okay, so maybe LOTS of times... *sigh* fine, MOST of the time it doesn't happen. But the word "sometimes" makes me sound like I actually do cool things once in a while.

The biggest thing I remember doing as a kid for St. Patty's day was making leprechaun traps. 

In the event that you happen to know something I don't (such as where to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow) and are wondering; no, I never did catch one. *sniff* But I did manage to capture lots of chocolate. I believe I am psychologically damaged from this.

And that is why I eat so much chocolate.

In any case it took us until the night of St. Patty's day to get the trap made. Savannah was worried that "they" wouldn't come back the next day since the holiday was over. But I told her I had left a note and they were indeed going to come back to our house.

 

So we baited our trap with fake gold. (aka construction paper circles)

It was a pretty fancy cage (aka a shoebox) decorated by this little model herself.



I would just like to state for public record, to be etched in stone for all eternity, that I did NOT in any way, shape, or form, teach my daughter to pose like that.

By the way, she's asking to get her ear's pierced. *gasp*

The next morning, it was clear that the leprechaun had escaped, leaving a trail of chocolate gold coins behind.



Maybe next year Savannah!

If you want to see one seriously cool leprechaun escape trick, check out the one The Kooky Queen almost caught HERE! It's pretty sweet.

And now, the moment you've all been reading for, this week's recipe!

Okay, so I wouldn't put this one in my personal top 10  favorite dinners list, but it still quite good.

Florentine Pasta Toss

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta
1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves (or I just buy a bunch and use those, it's cheaper than the pre-bagged kind)
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped oinion
1 tsp olive oil
 2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 jar (16 ounces creamy alfredo sauce
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions in large pot. Drain pasta and return to pot; add spinach. Cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, dice bell pepper and chop onion. Heat oil over medium heat until hot. Press garlic into pan. Add pepper and onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.


Add vegetables to the pot, stir in Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese; mix well.

Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste!


The Alfredo cream/taste is very light. If you would like it to be more creamy or have a stronger Alfredo flavor, I would recommend adding more sauce.

Be sure to come back next Sunday. I'm going to post a killer (for your hips anyway) dessert recipe.

Until then, wait in mouth watering anticipation. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!

7 super cool people speak:

ldsjaneite said...

I love her PJs! Must find some for myself...

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Looks like you had a very fun St. Paddy's day!
How fun of a mom are you???? Seriously.
The pasta looks delicious!
I can hardly wait for the hip enlarging dessert!

Mama Smith said...

Boy...it is only MORNING...and your PASTA dish looks SO GOOD to me for RIGHT NOW!!!! (sign...) Must finish my "fruit/veggie" smoothie...first...

LOVE the "St. Patrick's" UPDATE in your house...seems the "little rascal" is still managing to "get away"! (smile)

Evelyn said...

I know this recipe! i used to make it often, but my husband doesn't really care for it (something about no meat). Thanks for the reminder! I must make it!! :)

Oh and way to go being a good mom doing St Pattys day. I figure I have enough little mess-makers of my own, why create imaginary ones?

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

ha ha ha! Too funny.

I just came across this recipe a few months ago. Throw some chicken in there! Then your husband will have no excuse not to like it!

Charlotte said...

I have managed to make it deep into my mothering career without making a leprechaun trap. I'VE BEEN MISSING AN EXCUSE TO EAT CHOCOLATE?!?

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

That is so fun!!! And that pasta made me REALLY hungry just now. :)

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