Rotini With Golden Beets, Chard, Feta and Pecans

When we go to the farmer's market on Sundays, I never bring a list.  I buy what jumps into my arms.  Last Sunday, it was yellow beets and chard.  They were so pretty, they just begged to come home with me.  Of course, then I had to figure out what to do with them.

I remembered seeing a pasta recipe on Pinterest with the genius idea of grating the beets for faster cooking.  Seriously, people.  It's genius.  I love me some beets, but you need to plan ahead 'cause roasting them takes like an hour.  No more.  I am now armed with the knowledge to get beet pasta on the table in under 30 minutes.

Here's my recipe:

Rotini With Golden Beets, Chard, Feta and Walnuts

1 pound whole wheat rotini, or any pasta you like
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 onion, sliced into half moons or diced
1 bunch beets, grated
1 bunch chard, leaves and stems chopped and divided
8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
Lemon juice from half a large lemon
Pasta cooking water
1/2 C toasted pecans
Salt and pepper to taste

Grate your beets just before you need them, otherwise they'll turn brown.

If you need to prep them ahead of time, fill the bowl with water and keep them in the fridge.

Drain them well before using.

Could you have walked away from this chard?!

Heat oil in a large pan.

Cook onion, garlic, and chard stems until soft.

Add grated beets and cook about 10 minutes more.

Add chard leaves and 1 to 2 ladles of pasta cooking water.

Cook just until wilted.

Stir in fresh squeezed lemon, feta, and pecans.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Everyone in my house inhaled this pasta.

I don't know how I lucked out, but The Kid was literally picking all the chard out to eat first.

Yes, to eat, not to secretly feed the dog under the table.

Here's dinner in my bowl:
 

Remember the Cheesy Garlic Sticks I posted?

I did a somewhat healthier version this time around.

I used whole wheat pizza crust and added heirloom tomatoes, also from the market, and basil, instead of just cheese.

Yes, it's pasta and pizza again all in one meal.

Don't judge me.

Baby: Six Months

Yes, everyone says it, but can you BELIEVE she's six months old already?!  Insane.

She had her doctor's appointment on Friday and is growing right along her own little arc.  She's way down there as far as percentiles go, but considering she was 5 pounds the day we brought her home, I'd say she's growing like a champ.

For those who care, here are the latest stats:  13 pounds, 7 ounces and 26 1/4 inches long.  She's a string bean!

Here's the little peanut hangin' outside with The Mom:

And a video.

End Of July In The Back Yard

I had so many pictures from the other day, that I decided to break them up into two posts.  To see the front yard post, you can go here.

This is more of that crazy lighting.  Everything seemed to be glowing.

The red lobelia is in full bloom.

Here are those cream colored marigolds again.

A pink hardy fuchsia.

Another tuberous begonia that made it through winter.

The butterfly bush is blooming, even after whacking it late this spring.

The tree that the kids spend hours in.

I finally have some cucumbers coming.

These are just some shots of the back bed.

The individual plants and flowers aren't all that defined, but I like the way the sun is shining.

It doesn't happen all that often in these here parts.

I wanted to get it on record.

 And last, here are some shots of the patio I was whining about the other day.

Notice anything?

Here, have a closer look.

He thinks the table that I drug home from the neighbor's parking strip on garbage day works just fine, thankyouverymuch.

No Fun Food Friday today. 
Baby has her six month doctor's appointment this afternoon, so we'll probably be shoveling PB&J in our mouths as we're racing out the door.
Enjoy the weekend.
Supposed to hit the 90's here.
Hot!