I learned how to Instagram this weekend. My 14 year old is an Instagram Whiz and she thought I needed to add it to my repertoire of social media.
Oh Yay. One more social media application to learn.
I haven’t even mastered Twitter yet. With all the hatch tags and word limitations, I fail miserably at Twitter. And then I just feel silly when I put something out into Twitter land and no one responds. Hmmmm…. Maybe I didn’t say anything clever.
And don’t get me started with Pinterest. That’s just pure addiction.
Once upon a time I tried to “Stumble Upon”. It didn’t stick. Currently I’m trying to Google +, but I think that’s the most confusing of all. And because I don’t Google + all that often, some of my Google + friends/followers are dropping me. Well that’s just sad. 🙁
As you can tell I have a love/hate relationship with social media. And although social media has been a positive change in this world of ours, if not kept in balance, it’s exhausting.
So, maybe I won’t become a super social media Queen. I’m ok with that. I just ask that if you see me making not so clever comments out in Twitter land, please don’t leave me hanging. Maybe give me a shout out or something? I thank you in advance. 🙂
Although my love affair with social media has been short lived, I continue my love affair with Jovial Brand pasta. The brown rice pasta is a favorite of The Bennett Crew and I especially love the Einkorn Pasta. It’s nutty rich flavor and silky texture lends itself well to any type of sauce or pasta dish. And it boasts 9 grams of protein per serving!
I prepared this fresh and vibrant tasting pasta dish with the Jovial Brown Rice Fusilli but it can be prepared with Jovial Einkorn Penne, Rigatoni or even the Spaghetti. A fresh and fabulous summer dish that can be served warm or chilled. Paired with an Oregon Pinot Gris from A to Z Wineworks (one of my faves!) and dinner is complete.
Happy Summer and Loads of Love to you all!
Karista
Lemon, Fresh Basil and Chicken Pasta
Serves 4
Ingredients
¼ cup lemon juice, plus 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (or basil olive oil if you can find it)
Salt and pepper to taste (I like a little extra pepper in this vinaigrette)
1 bunch fresh basil (about one cup packed)
3 – 4 chicken breasts, roasted or grilled, and sliced or chopped
1 package Jovial Brown Rice Fusilli Pasta, cooked according to directions
1/3 cup crumbled feta ( I love Valbreso Sheep’s Milk Feta)
Quartered marinated artichoke hearts (optional)
Directions
Prepare the chicken and boil the pasta.
Chiffonade the fresh basil leaves. I’ve got pictures of this below so you can see how it’s done. Or feel free to check out this tutorial. http://localfoods.about.com/od/basics/ss/Chiffonade.htm
Whisk together the fresh lemon juice, minced garlic and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss the pasta with the lemon vinaigrette, fresh basil and diced or sliced chicken. Squeeze half a lemon over the pasta and lightly toss. Season with salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
Place the pasta in a serving bowl and garnish with the feta cheese. Serve with extra lemon wedges and serve either warm or chilled.
This is a great make ahead meal and lovely served as a brunch, lunch or summer dinner. Sometimes just for kicks I add in some quartered marinated artichoke hearts. I love the Napoleon brand grilled marinated artichoke hearts.
How to Chiffonade Basil
Beautiful post Karista! I can very much relate to being overwhelmed with social media! I’m a Twitter failure too. 🙂 Can’t wait to try this gorgeous recipe. Summer, summer!
Thanks Maria! One day I hope to get the hang of social media but I’m not certain that will happen anytime soon. LOL! Enjoy the recipe!
That looks great! I’m a twitter failure, big time. I don’t get instagram… so I didn’t get it 😛
Hahaha! Oh Frugal… you make me feel so much better about my lack of social media skills. 🙂 You really don’t need to be good at Twitter… your blog is fantastic all on it’s own!
This looks delicious – love the feta cheese added in!
Thanks Bill! You know, I was contemplating adding cheese and at the last minute i thought the feta would be delish. Just creamy enough but not stringy like mozz. A perfect texture combination. Enjoy!!
a lovely recipe Karista!
Thanks Spree! It’s fresh and inviting, perfect for our little warm spell here. 🙂 have a fabulous week!
Looks fresh, colorful, and delicious as always! ps. I wish I had time to contribute to my s&h twitter more ‘socially’ but alas…
Oh I feel your pain. But as i told Frugal (I love Frugal Feeding!) … your blog ( I love your blog too!) is so fantastic you need not worry a bit about social media. It stands on its own beautifully. 🙂
Welcome to instagram! It is my favorite of all of the social media because you simply take pictures- of anything! In my opinion, its a lot less intimidating than twitter. I literally stare at the message box on twitter for 20 minutes typing and retyping messages before I just finally give up and delete it all together, ha! Well, I wish you luck, and I’m going to definitely try out your recipe. Lemon, Basil, and pasta… mmmmmmm.
Happy Monday! Amber
Hahaha!! I thought I was the only person who stared at that little twitter message box wondering what in the heck I was going to say in in such few words. LOL! You gave me a good laugh! Happy Monday back at ya… but actually it’ll be Tuesday soon so Happy Tuesday to ya. 🙂
I’ve got the same problem with Twitter.. I’m hoping I’ve already added you, but I wouldn’t know because I have so many tweets.. I could never find you. I much prefer WordPress.. more civilized, don’t you think? I’ll look for that brand of pasta here, I’d like to have a better one than those I’ve tried! xx
Oh yes, I love that phrase… “more civilized”. I so agree! I think you’d love Jovial brand Pastas. They produce the most delightful cookies as well and the silkiest Einkorn flour for baking. Makes the best muffin or cake batter. Do you have Whole Foods where you are? I know they carry Jovial products. Let me know if you can’t find it and I’ll send you some. I’ve got a good stash to share. 🙂
You are not the only one struggling with all the different modes of social media. I also find twitter confusing with so many tweets. I do think we need to keep it all in perspective as really in the end it all comes down to the food and the people. Now if we could just get all the people in the same place like our food our lives would be so much easier. On to this yummy pasta dish. I love the fresh flavors and simplicity of this dish. Take care, BAM
So true Bam. It’s all good until it gives me a headache. That’s when I shut down the electronics and the computer and call it a day. 🙂 Enjoy the pasta!!
I love this salad, Karista. So fresh and light for the summer. Can’t wait to add it to my ever growing “to make” list! Welcome to instagram! 🙂
Thanks Kelley! I too have a growing “to make” list from my blogging friends. Your jam bars have been a huge hit at my house and one of my clients is asking me to make them again. 🙂
Wow! What a yumfest! I love discovering new gluten free pasta ranges and this looks gorgeous. The combination is definitely a feast fit for Spring, can’t wait to give it a go!
Thanks Carolanne! I love all the fresh flavors and the lemon feels so spring and summer like. Enjoy!
Great summer meal!
Thanks Maria! Hope you’re enjoying the summer. 🙂
Looks amazing and sounds like a good way to use some of my fresh lemon basil! Thanks!
I just don’t have time for social media!! I went on pinterest and have an account, but haven’t done anything with it yet … one of these days!
Oh yes, using the lemon basil would be fabulous! I can’t even go onto pinterest because I end up sitting in front of the computer pinning all the pretty pictures. LOL!
I’m having a really hard time finding recipes that my ponytails will eat. They keep asking for pizza and pasta. But this is a pasta recipe that I could feel good about serving to the girls. It looks fresh and delcious Karista!
Yay! Love it when that happens. 🙂 I have another chicken pasta that includes spinach and macaroni and cheese and my girls and their friends loved it! I’ll blog it soon but if you want the recipe prior (it takes me forever to post a recipe) I’ll send it to you. Instead of spinach you could sub with peas. It even passed my 14 year olds palate test and she’s become the pickiest eater. 🙂
Oh Karista that sounds great. I would sub with peas, as they really love peas in their pasta. No rush …but I’ll be watching for that one for sure!
I just don’t get Twitter, and though I downloaded Instagram…I don’t get it either! Now WordPress I understand, except for the fact that you’ve fallen completely off both my email subscription and my reader even though it says I’m following you! Ah, well, at least I saw this post on Facebook, so I could circle back and read it. Wonderful sounding flavors in this pasta dish, and though I’ve never used Jovial brand or brown rice pasta, I have tried oatmeal penne…it was quite good!
Oh wow, oatmeal penne sounds great! Where did you find it? I do love Jovial pastas and if you have a whole foods nearby they usually carry the product. And I did the same, although I’ve downloaded instagram I’ve only instagrammed three pictures. LOL! Have a great week!
Hi Karista, the oatmeal penne was also at Whole Foods and I think the brand is De Boles, but not completely sure. I’ll have to look for Jovial…love the name! You have a great week, too!
What a beautiful summertime meal.
Thanks Richard! It’s one of those yummy pasta dishes that can be served chilled or warm. And of course with a glass of white wine. 🙂
I’m with you…total love/hate relationship with all these social media channels…it’s EXHAUSTING!
This is lovely! I’l leave to make this for my kids
Thanks Alison! This has become one of my family’s favorite summer dishes. 🙂
chicken, pasta, feta cheese, basil, this looks really good for these summer months. I’ll have to try it. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Chef Bill! I love all the fresh summer flavors. Hope you’re having a delicious summer too!
I’m going to make this tonight! I love the advice on how to Chiffonade! Thanks Karista.
Tracy, hope you love this recipe! 🙂