Day Eight

First, let me say that Blind Side is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Loved it! Eight days without sugar, dairy, gluten, meat, or caffeine and feeling great! Tonight I made Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto and Sun-dried Tomatoes. The pasta is made of rice and is gluten free. This one of Mike's favorites.

Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto and Sun-dried Tomatoes

3 quarts water
1 teaspoon sea salt (yes, it does make a difference-sea salt just tastes better!)
Rice noodles (found in the Asian section of your grocery store)
Basil Pesto (recipe below)
1/2 c oil-packed julienned, chopped, sun-dried tomatoes, drained

In a 4 to 6 quart stockpot over high heat, combine the water with salt. Bring the water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to the package directions. When the pasta is done, drain it, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and stir in the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes. If the pasta seems too dry, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Pesto
1 c fresh basil leaves

1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

1/4 c pine nuts (these are expensive so I just use walnuts and you really can't tell the difference)

1 clove fresh garlic
1 t sea salt

Wash and remove basil leaves from the stems. Place the garlic, salt, and oil in a blender or food processor-blend well. Add the nuts and blend. Add the basil leaves a few at a time until well blended.