Vodka Sauce

I love pasta. I also love a variety of pasta sauce.
This sauce  had slightly more of a vodka bite than I'm used to, but was delicious (with ravioli and chicken cutlets!).

ingredients
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs salted butter
1 medium onion, chopped finely
3 cloves garlic, minced
1C vodka
1 (14oz) can tomato puree
1C heavy cream
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1C grated Parmesan cheese

directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter.
2. Once butter is melted, add in onion and garlic.
3. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in vodka, stir, and cook for 3 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to low and stir in tomato puree and heavy cream.
6. Allow to simmer, stirring periodically.
7. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes.
8. Stir in cheese.
9. Let cook for 5 minutes, stirring periodically.
10. Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Pancakes

I had seen all over the internet, the phenomena of making pancakes using bananas instead of flour.
After seeing how easy this could be, I gave this recipe a try.

The verdict? Taste was great, but texture was weird. I would definitely make these again, but will just prepare myself for the eggy texture that is absent in "regular" pancakes.

yield: ~6 medium pancakes

ingredients
1 large banana
2 large eggs
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I used Quest)

directions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. While pan is heating, mash banana in a medium bowl. 
3. Mix eggs into the mashed banana until well combined. 
4. Add protein powder to the bowl, mixing until smooth (-ish, as smooth as you can get it).
5. Spray skillet with cooking spray.
6. Pour batter into skillet (this depends on how big you want your pancakes on the small-medium-large scale).
7. Cook until the bottom appears set (~60 seconds) and flip.
8. Cook for an additional minute.
9. Serve warm (and with butter and syrup if that's your thing).
10. Enjoy!

Sweet & Spicy Green Beans

This is another CSA recipe-- easy and delicious, with a little bit of a kick!

ingredients
3/4 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
2 tbs soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp garlic chili sauce
1 tsp honey
2 tsp canola oil

directions

1. Arrange a steamer basket in a pot over boiling water; steam green beans 3-4 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, garlic, garlic chili sauce, and honey.
3. Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. 
4. Add the green beans and fry for 3-5 minutes.
5. Pour in soy sauce mixture.
6. Continue cooking and stirring for 2 minutes, until liquid is nearly evaporated.
7. Enjoy!

Maple Glazed Carrots

Every week, our CSA sends out an email of recipes to go with our week's haul.
This past week we got a bunch of rainbow carrots (I'd say probably 10 medium sized carrots), and opted for their maple glazed carrot recipe as a side dish.
It was fast, simple, and delicious.

ingredients
1 bunch carrots (~10 medium sized carrots)
2 tbs salted butter
2 tbs maple syrup
1/8 tsp sea salt

directions

1. Wash carrots thoroughly (do not peel).
2. Slice thinly in rounds.
3. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
4. Add carrots and cover with a lid.
5. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring every so often, until carrots are just tender.
6. Remove the lid; add salt and maple syrup.
7. Cook 1 more minute, stirring.
8. Enjoy!