Summer Squash

4 servings

1 1/2-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 med. onions, thinly sliced
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 lbs. squash, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices or cubes
1 tsp minced or crushed garlic
ground black pepper

Toppings:
minced thyme
3-4 oz feta or goat cheese

1. Place a large skillet over med. heat. Let heat for a minute or so.
2. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
3. Add onion and salt. cook, stirring often for about 10 minutes or until onions becomes very tender and lightly golden brown. Transfer to bowl and set aside
4. Return pan to heat. Slick the pan with 1-2 tsp olive oil. Add the squash and cook without stirring until golden on the bottom, for about 1-2 minutes.
5. Repeat step 4 after flipping squash to the other side.
6. Toss in the garlic, and return the onions to the pan. Mix well and season to taste.

Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Dill-and-Almond Green Beans

Quick and easy! This one is for Becca. After chatting online with her about the whole green bean recipe I decided to add it. ;)

Ingredients:
1 Red bell pepper
1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1. Cook green beans in boiling water to cover in dutch oven over med-high heat for 10 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

2. Saute almonds in hot il on large skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic; saute 30 seconds. Stir in green beans, dill, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

3. Serve!!

Mom's Famous Pasta Salad

We had family visiting this weekend, and we were looking for an easy dish to add to our lunch menu...but something that would also feed a lot of people and taste just as good. Our solution was the "famous" pasta salad recipe that my mom had collected from one of her quilting bee members. Its a really easy salad to make, and there is not much to it and everyone, I mean everyone, who has ever tried it has absolutely loved it. The relatives staying with us this weekend even asked for the recipe. So, I decided to share it with all of you! I hope you guys find it to be just as good !! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Package of Wacky Mac pasta
Broccoli
Peppers
Feta Cheese
Peppers (green or red works)
Artichokes
Black or green olives
Pepperoni
Italian salad dressing

1. Boil and drain the pasta according to package
2. Cut desired ingredients (you can add or subtract what you want according to your own tastes - feel free to experiment with it!!)
3. Mix
4. Top with dressing and chill or eat right away.

*note: you may need to add more dressing if you let it sit in the fridge overnight, the pasta tends to soak in the dressing