I know I am ready for love when I did deep writing and creating and cooking.

I write through every emotion however, love is saved for cooking, especially for someone I care about. This is possibly the craft that I hold near and dear to my heart. My most fragile heart. There are recipes I am unable to return to now because of heartbreak.

Spicy Tortellini and Sausage is one of personal creations that I am unable to return to. I made this for my husband while we renovated our house. I poured love into this dish and later tears.

My latest was a wine and garlic mussel dish that broke my heart in a completely different way and one that I didn’t expect. The memory of the taste of these dishes have faded however, the memories of relationships still remain.

My heart is still on the mend after five years of writing and slowly returning to thinking about love and the possibility of love during this stage of my life. I am now returning to the kitchen  with a pen to record. My Green Goddess Pasta Salad is self -love dish in preparation for my next love. I pray that I am ready for the next journey and all that it brings I hope you love the recipe as much as I do.

Green Goddess dressing is the bomb. It is the perfect combination of dreamy, creamy and healthy green. Add this to salad and you have the perfect lunch or start to your dinner and add it to pasta salad and you have a dinner.  This is a sweet vegetarian delight and the combinations are endless. You can prepare the dressing ahead of time or make it in a pinch.

I start with greens of choice ( Basil ) is a favorite and a mortar and pestle works well or a small processor add your extra virgin olive oil and get pulsing. I love a dash of  salt and black pepper to taste and some garlic of course. Mix this combo in a bowl with the richest decadent Greek Yoghurt you can find. Whirl and swirl together until you have a green cloud of happiness. Cover and place in the fridge to chill. I always add a little mantra of self – love.

One can use any type of pasta the possibilities are endless. I love gluten free and eat this one up right away as usually gluten free pasta do not store well.  After preparing add a drizzle of olive oil and let rest. Bring the two together and add some baby tomatoes, black olives, Goat cheese or Mozzarella and a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan . To garnish pick you green herb of choice and what you have available and I also love some pine nuts or anything you enjoy as a good crunch. Finally for the zest you squeeze a lemon or lime and mix.

You can enjoy this hot or cold after a swim in the lake or pool. I  Imagine this would be delicious in the park after a hike with a cool glass of Kombucha or sparkling water. Making this is the ultimate gift of self love. It also gets me thinking about love and cooking. In the meantime this pasta salad is my go to dish for friends and family. I hope you try it and let me know your review.

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Basil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Himalayan Salt

Black Pepper

Garlic ( Fresh)

Fresh lemon or lime

Pasta of choice ( I like gluten free) I pick up at my local Italian store.

Black Olives

Soft cheese ( Goat or Mozzarella)

Hard cheese ( Parmesan)

Baby tomatoes

Pine Nuts

The secret is to taste and measure only with love.