inspired for pesto...

sometimes i feel like 70% of my day is spent figuring out what my little one's going to eat and how to get 5 fruits, 5 veggies, only whole grains, and enough protein in his system without giving him an ounce of milk. sometimes sister-in-laws are just the answer. she made spinach pesto for her family, and even though i couldn't use her recipe (which incidentally came from one of my friends!) it inspired me to make some of my own! i used pasta that has veggies in them (i don't know if it's even enough to count--i might have been suckered...), and started with this recipe but tweaked it. i used peanuts because we have an all-but-peanuts nut allergy living in the house. something i appreciated is that there is no cheese in it. i also deleted the chilis and amchoor powder...i didn't want to experiment today.

spinach pesto pasta
serves 3-4 (...or 1)

ingredients
3 cups frozen spinach
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
~1/3 cup olive oil
4 tbsp peanuts (smash them up beforehand)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp dried basil
freshly ground black pepper

pasta for 3-4

directions

1. throw it all in your blender or food processor until it's to the consistency you want it.
2. boil pasta
3. put pesto in microwave for 2 minutes (i had to microwave it because i used frozen spinach)
4. combine
5. experience divinity in a bowl.
   

my little one was licking the pesto off the spatula--i couldn't have been more happy at that moment...i think i got all his veggies in for the day.

maybe we'll get lucky with fruit tomorrow (i tried a smoothie this morning...no go. i've gotta get more yummy fruit and see if he goes for that).