Kalamata Pasta with Chickpeas and Kale

While I was at the store the other day I discovered this ridiculously thick spaghetti. Naturally, I had to try it. On the back of the package it explained that because of it's substantial girth (snicker), it would hold up well in casseroles and heavily sauced dishes. I decided my Kalamata Pasta with Chickpeas and Kale would be the perfect dish to experiment with. 

I liked the thick pasta, though it was kind of a pain to boil. Normally I just shove the pasta down into the pot as the bottoms get soft. No can do with this pasta. Todd didn't like these little buggers because he said they were too "unwieldy, unpredictable, they do what they want and they make a mess." I obviously won't be getting this pasta again! But, it was fun to try out. If you see the thick pasta in your grocery store, be adventurous and try it! 

In this Mediterranean inspired pasta dish, thick spaghetti is laden with salty Kalamata olives, protein-packed chickpeas, fresh tomatoes, and tender kale.

You're going to love it. 

Kalamata Pasta with Chickpeas and Kale

Serves 6

• Pasta:
• 1 lb. thick spaghetti pasta, dry
• Aromatics:
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• Middle:
• 4 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. vegan sugar
• End:
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, de-pitted and halved
• 1 15 oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 small bunch of kale, de-stemmed and chopped

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low. Add the remaining aromatic ingredients and saute until the onions begin to brown slightly, about 8 minutes.

Add the middle ingredients and simmer for about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. 

Now, add the olives and chickpeas. Saute for an additional 3 minutes. 

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package. Then, incorporate the canned tomatoes and the kale into the sauce. Stir well and simmer covered while the pasta is cooking.

When the pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce. Remove from heat and allow to rest a few minutes before serving. 

Serve hot. 

Amen to this song, ladies: Ok Sweetheart – Can't Stop This

German Word of The Day: Kale --> Grünkohl (pronounced: groona-coal) Not sure how I haven't done that one yet!

Good Deed of The Day: Sign this petition to help stop climate change from endangering the Pygmy Rabbit. Author is the Environmental Defense Fund. Damn you, climate change! Look how cute!

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Strawberry Basil Jam or Sauce

Wondering what to do with one pound of sad strawberries and a bunch of basil that's seen better days? Don't throw it away! Make this jam. Of course, I'd prefer if you used, errrr, fresher ingredients. But hey, I do what I can with what I have...and what I have had was some less than stellar produce awaiting judgement day in the fridge. Except the basil. Never put fresh basil in the fridge.  I love strawberry jam. However, we never have any on hand. I buy that Kirkland signature strawberry puree from Costco that's totally amazeballs. Yet, I eat it all up too quick.  Like freakishly quick, and it's a massive jar. Anyway, Costco is about an hour away so we don't go on a regular basis. In addition, I flat out refuse to buy any jam at the regular grocery store because, well, to put it lightly...I'm a jam snob.

Growing up, my grandparents had a hugely vast vegetable & fruit farm garden full of fresh currents, rows upon rows of an assortment of raspberries, and gobs of plump strawberries. Believe me when I tell you, and this is very important...there is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked strawberry from a real ass garden. You don't know life if you haven't had one, so if that's the case get yourself to a U-Pick farm. Right now! There's no time to waste! Anywho, we used to make oodles upon oodles upon oodles of perfect jam with these home grown berries. And that's why I'm a jam snob. I'm ruined, essentially. 

I tried to make chia seed jam not too long ago (while in a state of panic due to our lack of jam). I didn't post the recipe because...I did not enjoy it. It had an odd texture (surprise!) and it wasn't sweet enough and it was just a plain insult to jams everywhere. It's still in my fridge and is made with Alaskan-mountain blueberries picked by yours truly last fall. It's all yours. So gross. 

I've been talking a lot about jam. This is because I simply refuse to acknowledge the existence of jelly. OMG, don't even get me started on that crap. Preserves, yeah, they're okay but I don't like my jam chunky, you know? But, live and let live. So, jam it is for me. NEVER JELLY.

If you're try to impress someone or just up your jam game, this is the one for you. It's a delicious, no-canning necessary strawberry jam infused with fresh basil, vanilla and cinnamon. I couldn't stop licking the spoon. 

Strawberry Basil Jam or Sauce

Makes about 8 oz. 

Notes: For more of a sauce, blend the strawberry mixture until smooth. If you'd like more of a jam, blend less. 

• 1 lb. strawberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup vegan sugar
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped and packed
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients over low heat. Continuously stir until the sugar has dissolved and it looks like the strawberries are floating in water.    Remove from heat and transfer to a blender. Blend until smooth for a sauce-like consistency or leave a bit chunky for a more jam-like texture.  Transfer back to the pan and over high heat, stir continuously until it reaches the mixture reaches 220 degrees (about 5 minutes). Once it's reached 220 degrees, stir continuously for another 5 minutes. If you don't have a candy thermometer, that's okay. Once the mixture is transferred from the blender back to the pot, it should cook on high from start to finish for about 10 minutes total.  Pour into a jar and allow to rest at least 15 minutes before covering and placing in the fridge to chill. Chill overnight. Store in the fridge and consume within one week.  Oh, that's what I'm talking about.  Yes, I always match my nails to my jam. Also, there was a little bit that didn't fit in the jar...and...well, I ate it all. Straight up. Treat yo' self! [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/29271982" params="color=73a89a&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

German Word of The Day: Jam --> Marmelade (pronounced: marma-lawd-eh) I know about orange marmalade, but who knew?!

Good Deed of The Day: All I have to say is WTF. Please sign this petition to stop a live bull from being set on fire for the entertainment of people. Grotesque animal cruelty shouldn't be tolerated, regardless of any culture it's involved in. Period. It only takes 5 seconds. You'll see my signature there! 

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Guess Who Got A Cat!?

Look, we got a cat named Goldie! 

Okay... April Fools. We didn't get a cat companion. Sad face. 

However, my birthday is in two weeks time and you can bet your sweet ass that I'm doing my very best work to try to convince Todd that we need a companion of the feline variety. Fine, fine...let's be real, I've been trying to adopt another animal for quite some time. I'm not even picky! I told Todd a cat, dog, rabbit, goat, or even a hedgehog would be just fine. When my birthday rolls around though, I like to put on extra special pressure. 

Today Todd texted me...

Todd: What do you want for your birthday, non-animal related? Me: Cat.  Todd: No.  Me: Goat. Todd: No, did you read above??

Disregarding the limitations of my future birthday present...I settled on this little one. The rescue says:

"Goldie is a darling little golden girl. She is super soft and super lovable.

Goldie has endured much in the past couple of months. Found freezing with her collar embedded in the skin under her left arm, she was taken in and given veterinary care. As a result of frostbite, she lost most of both of her ears and will likely lose most of her tail in the coming weeks. She is healing well and enjoys resting as well as a good stroll around the yard.  She just has these endearing qualities about her that make her irresistible! She has even taken to hide and seek! She “ambushes” you from someplace like behind the toilet:) to get the game started and, when found, she scoots out and runs to another hiding place. It is hilarious and the look on her face says “keep the fun coming.”  She is good with dogs and other cats.

Goldie is a special kitty who deserves a safe and comfortable home where she can enjoy life!"

God, isn't that awful! Breaks my little heart to pieces. So, give me all your tips to help me talk Todd into giving the a-okay on this little girl. She needs to come home with us and be Bailey's little sister! 

I suspect the outcome will be the same as my last endeavor. Remember when I tried to convince Todd that we should adopt Oreo? I'll never give up, you guys!