Zesty Tortellini

Dan (my husband) travels a lot for work and this week he was able to make it home on Tuesday, just in time for dinner. I wanted to make something simple (as I had to work all day), yet filling.  I decided to throw a pasta together and call it Zesty Tortellini. I came up with the super creative name by combining the type of noodle and sauce I used. ;) The pasta turned out just as I had hoped. I'd definitely make it again (but not too soon as it isn't the most healthy dish).

As you can see above, the dish consisted of caramelized onion, goat cheese, tortellini and basil.  Find the recipe below.

Zesty Tortellini
1 pkg. tortellini noodles
1 jar of Green Mill Zesty Arrabbiata pasta sauce
1pkg. Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage
1 clove of garlic
goat cheese
freshly grated parmesan
Italian seasoning
freshly chopped basil
1/2 sweet onion
2T. butter
2-3tsp. brown sugar

First,  you'll need to chop the onion (I sliced and quartered mine). Next, you'll need to caramelize the onion as this is the longest of the steps (find instructions below). Cook the meat thoroughly and strain once fully cooked. Place meat back in the pan, add the pasta sauce, caramelized onion, crushed and chopped garlic clove, Italian seasoning and parmesan. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Once the pasta sauce is warmed up, add the fully cooked tortellini to it and stir (I cooked the noodles while I was cooking the meat). Last, plate the mixed pasta, crumble goat cheese over the top and also sprinkle the chopped basil over the top.

Caramelized Onion
Place butter in the pan, add the onion and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the onion (I put a little bit of salt and pepper too). Cook on med. low - low for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally and leave pan covered when not stirring.

Garden Party Wedding

One of my favorite things to see at a wedding is the couple's style incorporated into the day's decor. It's fun to see creativity at work and gain a better understanding of the couple through the look and feel of their wedding.

One of my favorite blogs, Green Wedding Shoes, shares various examples of weddings. Today's post highlights a Garden Party Wedding and is fantastic. Every detail is absolutely beautiful!
Click the picture below to view the full blog post about the Garden Party Wedding.

Sugar Coated Voice - Jennifer Nettles

Having a love for all different kinds of music makes it hard for me to pick a favorite musician. BUT, if I were put in a life or death situation and had to pick a favorite musician to save my life (or someone else's), I would stand strong behind the vocal styling's of Ms. Jennifer Nettles. Not only is her voice wonderful, but her personality appears to be a close match.

Jennifer Nettles has done a handful of performances with other "big name" singers. In each of these performances it ceases to amaze me how pronounced each individual's sounds are, yet when put together it's perfect harmony (peanut butter & jelly)! Each time I hear one of the performances I can't help but smile. I've put together a handful of my favorites to share and hopefully result in a smile for you. :)

California King Bed - Jennifer Nettles & Rihanna

You and I - Jennifer Nettles & Lady Gaga

Run - Jennifer Nettles & Math Nathanson

I'm on Fire - Jennifer Nettles & Ben Harper