Quick Dinner Idea - Pasta with Kalamata Olive Tapenade and...

Pasta! - there are more exclamation points to unfold within this post. 

Being human or otherwise comes with having particular days. Some include feeling the following:

• I suck! 
• You suck! 
• Everything sucks! 
• and...Suck it! 

Conversely, you may also have days when you feel:

• I rock! 
• You rock! 
• Everything rocks! 
• and…Rock on! 

Whatever day you are having, even if not depicted above, a quick dinner idea may HELP. 

Whatever happens….

Dude says: HELLO! 

Pasta is a staple food for whatever ails you. Even if you are not ailing, you will enjoy this recipe.

Pasta with Kalamata Olive Tapenade. 

Pasta with Kalamata Olive Tapenade 

Ingredients 
1 (12-oz package) pasta of choice (I used Trader Joe's Organic Vegetable Radiatore)
*This pasta is not gluten-free.

Tapenade
3 garlic cloves
1 cup pitted kalamata olives (Other good quality olives may be substituted.)
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (The ones packed in oil will also do.)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed, stems removed
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper (about 1/3 of a teaspoon)

Mountain of yum. Take a hike! 

Directions 
Prepare the pasta of choice according to package directions. No need to salt the water as the tapenade is pretty SALTEE in my humble opinion. However, if you disagree, go to town with salt, but not that far.

While the pasta is cooking, make the tapenade. In a food processor, or high speed blender (I am not sure how regular blender behaves during this task. Be sure to let me know.) add the garlic cloves, and pulse for a second. Add the remaining ingredients and give your food processor or blender a GO! Be sure to add a bit of water or additional olive oil if the blending is not going so well.

Drain the pasta - do not rinse! - place in a large bowl and mix in the tapenade. Serve with additional basil on top or vegan parmesan. You can also add favorite nuts of choice to make it more interesting.

If you are not a pasta fan, serve the tapenade with crackers or toast. Serve it hot or cold - the choice is yours.

Peace out!

Eat and cheers peeps!