There is an article about me in the Daily herald news paper (I added it below), how exciting is that. I sent in a salad recipe that I came up with and its in the article. I also came up with a cream pesto sauce for the salad that's not in the recipe below. They are both really good but I think I like the cream pesto more let me know if you want the dressing recipe. It was really exciting to see my name in the paper!!!
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Always try new things
Daily Herald
Annette Wassom, of Provo, feels cooking and baking are a "labor of love." "I truly believe there is no greater way to show your love than by making yummy food for those you care about," said the 27-year-old homemaker, hairstylist and mother of two young sons.
To her credit, Annette cooks healthy food. "I'm a big believer that you are what you eat, and at the end of the day I think we can feel the power in healthy food and what we put in our bodies," she says. "I love coming up with healthy recipes."
She says nutritious food can still be satisfying and great tasting.
Her husband, Jason, is her best critic and loves everything she makes. Ethan, age 3, follows Mom around the kitchen hoping to get a chance to taste test or lick the bowl.
Annette is so comfortable in the kitchen that she loves to compete in cooking and baking contests. She's entered five dessert recipes recently and hopes to hear by September if any of them win her cash, appliances or a paid vacation. Annette finds various contests on the Internet or in food magazines.
"Try new things," is her advice to keep meals interesting. "Add one new thing at a time to a recipe you like. Make a list of foods you enjoy together, like peanut butter and chocolate or herbs and veggies such as mint leaves and peas." When experimenting, Annette is not above shopping at the dollar store for her ingredients to save on the grocery bill.
"I love to entertain, spend time with my kids and work on my health," says Annette. She is training for several 5K, 10K and half-marathon events.
Annette put the following pasta salad together for her son's birthday party last year. It can be served hot or cold and leftovers are wonderful, she says. To save time, Annette buys pre-made pesto sauce and cooks the chicken the night before. "You can make it in minutes that way," she says.
"It's so easy, but it looks really fancy. I always get a lot of compliments on this salad."
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Pesto Tortellini Salad (cold)
Serves 6-8
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons lemon pepper
• 2 packages fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (colored)
• 1 package fresh pesto sauce
• 11/2 cups Kraft Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, optional
• 1 cup black olives
• 1 cup pine nuts
• juice of 1 lemon
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Cut chicken into strips and season with lemon pepper and cook thoroughly in skillet. Cool. Cook tortellini, rinse in cold water. Drain well. Combine pesto, dressing and lemon juice. Whisk to blend. Add other ingredients and mix well. Chill to taste.
Spring has finally arrived; have a favorite fresh salad to complement your meal or makes a meal all by itself? Share it with us by calling Karen Hoag at 344-2540.
MY TASTE TESTING PARTY!
I had some friends and family come over for a taste testing party to try out some recipes I had come up with, it was a lot of fun and I plan on having another one in the future and could use all the advice I can get. Let me know if any of you would like to come to the next one!!!
My good friend Annie and my baby sister Brittney!!!
"Annie" of course she is always adorable in any picture she's in!!!
Me and Jason!
Jason stuffing his face with my food!!
Everyone rated the food!
LOL!!! She's the best!
My mommy and some friends!!! I didn't get pictures of everyone else that came but thank you all so much for the support!!!
