Pasta Primavera

whole wheat penne pasta
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1 small can sliced olives
1/2 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
1/2 cup spinach leaves
7 stalks asparagus (chopped in 1-1/2 inch pieces)

Boil water for pasta. While water is boiling, combine all ingredients (except pasta) in frying pan and saute on medium until asparagus is tender. Once pasta is cooked, coat with sauce.

Pesto Sauce

Pesto:

3 cups Basil (packed) -large basil leaves
1/2 cup Walnuts
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp coarse salt
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350. Place walnuts on cookie sheet and toast for 10 min. In food processor or blender add basil, walnuts, garlic, and salt. Slowly and evenly add olive oil until blended. Add Lemon juice and pulse to blend.

Normally pesto has plenty of cheese in it, but I didn't even miss the cheese with this tasty treat. I couldn't get enough of it last night...

Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled*
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup quinoa
1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 medium tomatoes, diced
4 scallions (green onions), chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.

Wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.

Cook quinoa according to package directions.

Add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 3-4. I ate it with corn chips at it was yummy!

* Leave out the butter if you want it to be vegan.

To Answer Lindsey's question: Quinoa is a grain that is similar to rice, except that it is a complete protein (one of the only grains out there that is). I bought it at Trader Joe's.