Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Onions, and Bacon

Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Onions, and Bacon
Source: Adapted from 365 Ways to Cook Pasta
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Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients:
1 pound spaghetti
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1-2 garlic clove, minced
2 cups diced, fresh, ripe tomatoes
1-8 ounce can tomato sauce
fresh coarse ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Saute bacon in a skillet until partially browned; drain and set bacon aside.
2. Add olive oil to the skillet; heat over low heat.
3. Add in onion; stir/saute until tender but not browned, about 5 minutes.
4. Add in garlic; saute 1 minute.
5. Add in tomatoes; cook, stirring to break up the tomatoes with the side of a spoon. Add in cooked bacon and tomato sauce. Simmer and stir until sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
6. Season to taste with pepper.
7. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 6 minutes; drain.
8. Toss with the sauce and parsley; sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.

Lemon Spaghetti

I got this idea from my friend Katy's blog, Katy's Kitchen. I figured this would be a good dish to start ending the summer with since it is fresh and light.

Lemon Spaghetti
Source: Giada De Laurentiis (LINK)
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Makes: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min

Ingredients:
1 pound spaghetti
2/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bit, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the oil, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a large bowl to blend.
2. Brain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the lemon sauce, and the reserved cooking liquid, adding 1/4 cup at a time as needed to moisten. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with lemon zest and chopped basil. 

I also added dried oregano to the sauce instead of garnishing with basil.

Lemon Spaghetti

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins

We had more ripe bananas to use up!

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins
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Makes: 
Prep Time: 10 min
Bake Time: 20-30 min

Ingredients:
1 stick softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbs brown sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup pecans/walnuts, chopped

Instructions:
1. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and bananas and mix until incorporated.
2. Add flour, baking soda, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla and mix. Add chocolate chips and pecans and stir.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins