Top Ten Food Shots and a Quickie Recipe--Zucchini Faux Pasta with Italian Sausage

This tag is from Pixie at You Say Tomahto, I Say Tomayto. Actually not really a tag, more like she left it open to anyone that wanted to do it, in turn. I really like this idea! That way, there's no pressure on anyone to do it. But it's a fun tag! The idea is to post your ten favorite food photos.

1) Fresh Summer Salad


2) Date Bars



3) Garlic Shrimp


4) Guacamole



5) Whole Wheat Brownies



6) Chili and Cornbread



7) Lime Bars



8) Parm Crusted Chicken with Lemon Vinaigrette over Mixed Greens



9) Jams and Citrus Curd



10) American Chop Suey

So there are my ten faves, so far. Whoever wants to go ahead and do this tag, go for it! It's fun and easy, and not too much thinking, which can sometimes cause my ears to let off smoke. ;) And if you want to tag five people, feel free!




Quickie Recipe! Zucchini Faux Pasta with Italian Sausage



This is one of our favorite recipes. Not only is it quick and easy, but it's good for you, low in carbs, and a great way to use up zucchini, which will be invading everyone's kitchens very soon! You know it will. You'll come home to find your sweet neighbors have gifted you with mutant zucchinis the size of a small car. You can only eat so much zucchini bread! (Though I have a *killer* recipe for that, too!)

The faux pasta is ribbons of zucchini that you make simply with a vegetable peeler. Just start peeling strips and keep turning the zucchini until you get down to the center. Also, there's no boiling pasta here that'll heat up your kitchen on hot days!

The sauce is a snap to make, and it's delicious! It would be great to whip it up and use it on any of your favorite pastas, or over chicken for chicken parm. The fresh basil that's added at the end gives it a very fresh flavor.

You can use your favorite Italian sausage here--this particular time I used a chicken Italian sausage, flavored with asiago and basil, I believe. (I actually made this weeks ago, and am just getting around to posting it now, hehe) So use whatever looks good! The ones I used were precooked, so I just sliced and added them in. Looking back at the photos, I think I'd brown them up anyway, to give them a little more color--but they were still delicious, even as is. And you could leave out the sausage if you want to make it meat-free.

Zucchini Faux Pasta with Italian Sausage


4 small zucchini
2 Tbs olive oil
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1/2 lb Italian turkey sausage, cooked and sliced
salt and pepper
1 bunch fresh basil, torn
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese


Directions

1. Slice clean, unpeeled zucchini into ribbons, using a vegetable peeler, and turning the zucchini as you go.
2. Warm 1 TBSP olive oil in a saucepan, on medium heat.
3. Saute the garlic for a few seconds, don't burn it--then add tomatoes and oregano.
4. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
5. Heat the remaining oil in a separate, large skillet.
6. Add the zucchini to the skillet.
7. Stir for a few minutes, until zucchini is soft.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add the tomato sauce to the zucchini in the skillet.
9. Add the sausage, stir well.
10. Stir in basil, and transfer to a serving dish.
11. Top with parmesan cheese.

pretty, aromatic basil

zucchini ribbons, your "pasta"