Mediterranean Pasta Salad

We made this pasta salad as a quick brainless recipe that could be prepared ahead of time for company. It was definitely a keeper. The creaminess of goat cheese, the tartness of the vinegar, the acid from the lemon, it was delicious. I certainly went back for seconds and would make this again no questions asked. 

Ingredients: 

16 ounces pasta (we used rotini, but penne would also be great) 
1/2 large cucumber, diced
1/3 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
crumbled goat cheese to taste

For the dressing: 

1/3 cup vegetable oil
juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Boil salted water until pasta is barely al dente. After straining, rinse pasta in cold water. While pasta is boiling, mix together dressing and refrigerate. Once pasta is cooked, mix in your onions, olives, and cucumber. Coat with dressing, add your crumbled goat cheese. Best served immediatley at room temperature or but can be refrigerated prior to serving as well. 

Summer Squash Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

I figured it was time I dust off the ol' blog because I finally made something good enough today worth repeating. Life has been crazy and lots of quick meals and eating out has been happening but today I cooked, I grilled, and I baked. The winner recipe of all my efforts today was this delicious lemon poppy seed cake. It tastes as delicious as the stuff made by store bakeries, but the ingredients are a lot more simple and probably a lot more healthy. Sorry my photos aren't food blogger worthy, but the recipe is so good I'm documenting it anyway.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup melted butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon and 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated summer squash
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions, add all ingredients together slowly in order on low in mixer. Spray 2 loaf pans with non stick spray (generously) and bake at 325 for 1 hour or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean when inserted. 

I've seen several of these types of recipes include and icing glaze but these are perfect without one.