tried new recipes last night...

had the girls over--an excellent excuse to try a new recipe--so I tried two. served with wine and caesar salad, this is deeeee-lish! enjoy!

artichoke and tomato pasta
I'm not sure where this one's from...Audrey, Katie or Ariel I think.

1 6oz can artichoke hearts, reserving liquid

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves minced garlic

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (I used ground)

1/8 tsp cumin

8 oz pasta (rotini or farfalle)

cook pasta.

heat artichoke liquid to boiling and add onion and garlic, cook for 2 min. stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices. heat through.

note:you might want to drain the liquid from the diced tomatoes and add as needed, else you'll have to wait for it to reduce.

bruschetta
from my 365 great 20 minute recipes book

12 slicess Italian bread

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/3 c olive oil

2lbs tomatoes, diced petite

2 cloves garlic

1/3 c fresh basil slivered

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp hot red pepper

8 oz fresh mozz, thickly grated

1. heat oven to 400C. toast 3-5 min making sure not to burn the toast and have to have your friends fan the smoke alarm and open all the windows.

2. mix everything but the bread and cheese. put 2-3 tbsp of mixture on each slice of toasted-not-burnt bread.

3. sprinkle mozz on top. if desired, put in the oven for ~1 min to melt cheese, again, making sure not to catch the house on fire.

note: we used varying proportions of these. basically, it's to taste. but it's yum!

also, be careful with your spinach.