‘Make it’ – Basil pesto sauce – no stove-top required!
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Good morning! Happy Monday! It is HOT! I’m all for fantastic weather, but what happened to Spring? Last week it was snowing and this weekend it got up to 90 degrees! Crazy, crazy! The Mister and I were SWELTERING last night. We rent an older house that is very poorly insulated (if at all!) and we certainly don’t have central air! (This is #1 on both of our lists for when we buy our own house!)
Anyway, we obviously haven’t had a chance to put in our window unit(s) yet (we have three!), so I had planned on relying on the ceiling fan and open windows. At about 10:30 last night (yes, I’m 80 years old), I ascended into the 3rd circle of hell our upstairs to open the windows.
“Hmmmm that’s funny,” I thought. I had remembered the windows opening much more easily.
Looking closer to see if something was off-track or stuck, I noticed white putty JAMMED into the window trim, preventing the window from opening. “Of course,” I thought. The Mister.
Side note: the Mister doesn’t half-ass anything and he always takes all precautions to keep us safe, save money, etc. While this is one of the very reasons I love him so much, it doesn’t always jive with my “fly-by the-seat-of-my-pants-no-worries-here” attitude.
True story: A few weeks ago, our neighbor got “robbed.” I say “robbed,” because I think it was one of his many friends he has over at all hours of the day/night. Also, he lives on the third floor. Why would someone bypass the first and second floor of a house to rob someone on the third?
Anyway, the Mister immediately panicked and started thinking we’d be next. So naturally, when he got home from work he dead-bolted the door. After all, isn’t he our most valuable possession?! Note: We have lived in the house for 3 years and have never once dead-bolted the door. I’m sure you can guess where this is going…
He locked himself inside the house. Yes, you read that correctly. INSIDE. Who does that?
Apparently, when he wanted to get something from his car, the lock got stuck. Since the Mister is incredibly impatient strong, he freaked out and broke the lock. But after a visit from the locksmith and a new deadbolt, we were good as new!
Anyway, the Mister had clearly gone the extra mile yet again with the windows. Upon further examination, I also realized that he had installed little brackets and drilled the windows shut. Remember that terrible insulation I mentioned? Yes, this is the Mister’s way of keeping the heat INSIDE the house. Pretty clever, right?
Maybe in the WINTER! Spring has sprung, Mister — heck, SUMMER is upon us! It is time to de-winterize the upstairs. I know you helped keep me warm all winter and I’m grateful, but it was hard for me to feel that way as I was BAKING in our 88 degree bedroom (I’m not making that up, the thermometer doesn’t lie).
Cursing the Mister and his responsible handiwork, I ripped out the putty, breaking a few nails in the process (don’t feel too bad for me, my nails are pretty hideous, anyway), and managed to get one of the windows open. Now soaked in sweat and dust, I plummeted to the bed praying for a cool breeze. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. ARGGGGHHHH! I tossed and turned all evening waking up caked in sweat — I’m sure I was a gorgeous site to see this morning! (p.s. – I love you Mister!!! Thanks for taking one for the team and letting me share your stories 
)
So how did all of you sleep last night? Similar problems? Beating the heat?
As I was getting ready for work this morning, I was running through some dinner ideas in my head. While I love to cook, I just can’t imagine laboring over an oven or stove top in this heat! I remember mentioning my low-fat basil pesto sauce a few weeks back and wanted to share the recipe with all of you, since it doesn’t require stirring anything over an open flame – which honestly gives me nightmares right now to even consider!
This sauce is great on top of pasta and also works great on top of pizzas or mixed in with cooked veggies. I’m sure it would also make a great sandwich spread! I would love to try it with some goat cheese on top of some crusty bread—yumyumyum!
You’ll need:
- 1 package (about 10-ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed (make sure to drain it or the sauce will be too watery)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup fresh basil
- 1/3 cup fat free cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
Add to your favorite pasta, pizza, bread or vegetables.
Low-fat basil pesto sauce with whole wheat pasta
This takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and it is packed full of flavor and nutrients, while being very low in calories and fat. Enjoy!
What is your favorite way to beat the heat?
Pesto is totally one of my favorite foods! Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve never made pesto with spinach before. I’ll have to try that.
I ADORE pesto!! It’s good in sandwiches too
I slept like a baby last night (once I was asleep, getting to fall asleep was another issue). I love that we can sleep with the windows open!
I guess this is where my beautiful basil plant will come in handy
My favorite way to beat the heat is swimming!
Oh, yum! I just love pesto!
(Dine Out, Fight AIDS. April 30. http://www.diningoutforlife.com)
The pesto recipe sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
Ok, for fear of becoming the “pesto” girl – can I just point out that I have commented on your blog twice so far, and each time have mentioned pesto! But oh goodness, I couldn’t not pop over to say that pasta pesto looks soooo delish! My stomach is rumbling. Thanks for the recipe.
Hope you’re feeling a little cooler tonight. Sleeping in a hot room is not easy.
oh man i love pesto. we grow tons of basil in containers on the deck. you should think about putting a basil plant or two in pots in front of your windows. they would love it!
Oh my. Thanks for the laugh. Your Mister is pretty crafty! LOL
On another note, the pesto looks delish!
Oooh I love pesto- I just bought some basil this week so pesto has got to be on the menu!
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