Best of the Month July 2014

A recap of my most popular posts from July 2014

I'm late getting this written and posted.  I like to try to post these on the last day of the month but the end of August was opening weekend of college foot ball, Bacon Day, and then Labor Day on the 1st of September.  I'm still trying to get my blogging groove back with my weekends being occupied with football (my husband and I love football season).  So this is a little late but oh well...what can I do I like to procrastinate.

I finally broke 1,000 followers on Google Plus this month YAY!

**I've noticed that my "pin it" counter buttons don't always show the correct number of pins.  I know that I have personally pinned each picture at least once and usually more when I pin them to group boards but the counter has a big fat zero.  It also makes me wonder if my pins with a large count are correct.  This is very frustrating because I'd like to know actual counts.  Does anyone else experience this?  Know how to fix it?

Wild Rice Cherry Pecan Salad

A salad of wild rice, dried cherries, and pecans tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette.  It makes a great side dish or lunch. 241 views and 67 +1s.

Pudding Popsicles

A simple way to turn your favorite pudding into a frozen treat.  213 views and 37 +1s.

White Wine Sauce and Shrimp Scampi

A delicious and simple sauce made with white wine and butter.  Used to flavor pastas and many other dishes. 210 views and 37 +1s.

Tzatziki

A deliciously cool and refreshing yogurt dip/sauce made with cucumbers and dill.  176 views and 32 +1s.

Blue Cheese Alfredo

Whole wheat pasta tossed in a creamy, cheesy, blue cheese sauce studded with pistachios.  174 Views and 46 +1s.

Enjoy.

Linked to:  Cook Craft Share, Full Plate, Best of the Weekend, See ya in the Gumbo, Merry Mon, Two Cup, Tasty Tues, Tickle my Tastebuds, Wonderful Wed, Wed Roundup, Cook Craft Share


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Blue Cheese Alfredo

Whole wheat pasta tossed in a creamy, cheesy, blue cheese sauce studded with pistachios.

I had some blue cheese dip/dressing in my freezer that I finally got around to thawing.  It was in there longer than it probably should have been but it tasted fine the sour cream just got soupy, not what you want for a dip.  I didn't want to throw it away so I tried to thicken it by adding a pack of cream cheese.  That didn't work to thicken it but it sure tasted great so I decided to transform it into something different.  You could make this with regular blue cheese dip (that hasn't gone soupy) just add more white wine, or pasta water, to thin the sauce to the consistency you prefer.

That is when I decided to make an alfredo sauce from it.  My husband made the suggestion to add some pistachios to the sauce too.  I was very doubtful about his suggestion I thought they would get soggy and gross but he assured me it would be good (he has traveled to Italy and I haven't so I followed his suggestion).  Boy, I'm glad I did they were delicious.  They softened a bit in the sauce, but they were not soggy, and they were delicious adding some extra texture and protein to the meal.  I only used 1/4 cup of pistachios in this recipe but I would recommend more (I apologized to my husband for doubting him).

Blue Cheese Alfredo

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups blue cheese dip
1 8oz pack cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup pistachios
Whole wheat pasta
basil
cracked pepper

In a large saute pan, saute the garlic, in the oil, until soft and fragrant.  Pour in the white wine and reduce by half.

Meanwhile, mix the blue cheese dip and the cream cheese until well blended and then add it to the garlic and wine sauce.  Add the pistachios and let simmer until the sauce thickens to desired consistency.

While the sauce is thickening cook the pasta al dente.  I used whole wheat spaghetti but you could use fettuccine of any pasta of your choice.  Add the drained pasta to the sauce and remove from the heat.  Cover and let sit for a few minutes.  Toss well before serving.

Makes 4 servings.  Garnish with fresh cracked pepper and basil.  Great with broccoli on the side.

Enjoy.

Linked to:  Merry Monday, Two Cup, Lou Lou Girls, Teach Me, Brag About it, Tasty Tues, Wonderful Wed, Whimsy Wed, Yuck Stops Here, Full Plate, Cook Craft Share. Eat Create Party, Freedom Friday, Pretty Pintastic, Best of the Weekend, Share it Sunday, See ya in the Gumbo, Much Ado


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