Pasta a la J.

When I first moved to this area I quickly realized that the Italians who had settled the area also brought their great food with them. There is pasta galore and the local store always has good produce. It makes eating well as easy as it should be.
serves 2-3
25 minutes

• 1 onion, diced
  
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, grated
  
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
  
• 3 cups spinach cut up
• romano cheese
• olive oil
• 3 cups of pasta
  

1. Saute the onion and pepper in some olive at medium heat until they turn slightly brown.
   
2. Add garlic and carrots and cook for 3 more minutes.
3. Add spinach, add a little bit of water, cover with a lid, turn to low and simmer.
4. Into a boiling pot of lightly salted water add pasta and cook until done.
5. When the pasta is done, drain and return to pot. Add the vegetables and some olive oil to mix everything well.
6. Serve and add some grated romano cheese.
7. I like to add a little chili peppers as well for some heat.

Steamed Broccoli and Fried Red Pepper

Whenever I want a nice light meal that is quick and nutritious I almost always turn to broccoli. This dish is definitely on the salty side so feel free to cut back on the salty ingredients if you wish.
serves 2

10 minute

To steam and cook

• 2-3 heads of broccoli, cut into individual stalks
  
• 2 medium red pepper, chopped any size you like
  
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp olive oil
  

The sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 anchovies, minced
• juice from half a lime/lemon
• 1 tsp real french mustard
• 1 tsp tamari sauce
• pinch of cayenne
  

Steam the broccoli and fry (in olive oil) the red pepper at the same time. After 5 minutes of cooking add the garlic to the red peppers and cook for a further 1 minute. While the steaming and frying is going on mix all the sauce ingredients together. When the vegetables are done put the broccoli on a plate topped with the red peppers. Pour the sauce on top of the vegetables and sprinkle on the sesame seeds.

Optional - You can use whatever sauce or vinaigrette you like on this dish. You can also use any other nuts or seeds such as shaved almonds, cashews, etc. These can be dry roasted or not. Throw some cilantro or parsley on top. What I made is very simple but many things can be added to it depending on your own taste and what you have in your kitchen.