Purple Basil Pesto & Tagliatelle Pasta

Purple Basil Pesto is great dish to create for parties. The eye popping color is festive and healthy for you.

Ingredients:
1 cup of purple basil  or  1/2 head of purple cabbage, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup Virgin Olive Oil
dash of sea salt
dash of pepper
dash of chili flakes
* dash of fresh garlic if you like
1/4  of Parmesan cheese or vegan cheese
Vegetarian: add steamed or sauteed asparagus * purple cauliflower & fresh mushrooms
 * purple eggplant & shallots * purple broccoli  * purple spinach & shallots
Protein: add fresh grill salmon or grilled shrimp

Variations: in Pesto base:
*1/2 cup  unsalted sunflower seeds
* 1/2 cup fresh unsalted cashews  or  * 1/2 cup pine nuts

Blender:
Add basil, garlic, nuts and ingredients to food processor. Blend and add olive oil until the mixture forms a nice smooth paste.

Cook and drain pasta.
Try different shaped pasta like Farfalle, bow tie pasta to create a party atmosphere.
Bucatini pasta is nice as well.  Add vegetables and your favorite protein.
* gluten free pasta, vegan pasta and fiber pastas are great as well to create a delicious alternative version for your families heath.

The Ultimate Italian -Greek Salad!

The Italian version of Greek Salad! To start off the new year for 2015 we are going to mix up some
exciting twists of your classic favorites. "You ready?"
The Italian- Greek Salad!

3 Persian cucumbers  shaved or chopped
1/2 cup of black Greek Olives
1 cup chopped red bell pepper and green bell pepper
6 Julianned sun dried tomatoes
 Fresh Mozzarella balls or Fresh crumbled Sheep or Feta Cheese
sprig of fresh basil leaves
dash of fresh oregano or parsley
dash sea salt & pepper
2 shallots chopped
1 tbsp chopped garlic optional
1/4 cup pepperonis

Traditional Dressing:
1 cup Olive Oil
2/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
dash of salt & pepper
dash of garlic powder
1 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice

New Italian Twist Dressing:
add Basil Pesto Dressing
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 clove of garlic finely chopped
2/3 cup Olive Oil your favorite Extra Virgin is always great to use
dash sea salt & pepper to taste
dash of garlic powder optional
1/2 cup of Pecorino Toscano Cheese,  or  Grana Padano cheese. 
1/4 cup pine nuts or cashews nuts are optional to save calories & your waist line
dash cayenne pepper optional 
Add ingredients to blender or food processor and slowly add oil as you mix

PARTY IDEAS:
cut fresh bell pepper top and use as salad bowl
or
roast the red and yellow peppers in oven till golden for 25 minutes 375 degrees in oven
Open top of peppers and put salad inside
serve on tray