Last Wednesday was the first time in a LONG time I had REAL people over for dinner. Sure, I have plenty of “Guests for Dinner”, but rarely actual people. It was really nice to have people over, eat my cooking, and just hang out. So, when my foodie friend wanted a repeat this week, I was very quick to say “YES!” She wanted burgers. I said “YES!”
I threw together a version of my Summer Burgers, subbing in fresh garlic for the powder, added a bit of soy sauce, and use Japanese panko bread crumbs instead of seasoned Italian bread crumbs. Ok, so I kind of made up a new recipe tonight, but it was a success! I ate my burger on an Arnold’s Sandwich Thin. The star of the meal, oddly enough, were the amazing grilled veggies! We had red and yellow peppers, zucchini, and pineapple, as well as a mixed green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and a fat-free raspberry viniagrette. SUCH a great summer meal!
Such grilled deliciousness, photo especially for my best-good-friend Meghan 
After dinner, we hung out for a while, watched a some TV, chit-chatted, and I played around with baking some healthy muffins. I don’t remember exactly what’s in them, but when I do, I’ll post them for you! They were pretty good though, and had dried cranberries in them!
Now, I’m THRILLED to bring you my Guest for Dinner tonight. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the fabulous “He Said, She Said” blog that is HangryPants. If you’re not, seriously, you need to check it out. Heather posts great food, inspirational stuff, and is just plain fun. Mark is seriously an amazing writer, and I really wish he would post more! He got me to carry a kombucha around the grocery store, contemplating buying it. That’s HUGE! So, Heather, pull up a chair, have a seat, and tell us about your meal!
Hi What’s for Dinner Readers! I was excited when Mara asked me if I wanted to be featured on Guests for Dinner, but I was also a little nervous. I love to cook and eat, but very rarely make anything where I create a recipe. Then I decided to just go with something I love the most – pasta! I am not a low-carb girl and believe that pasta can be healthy and nutritious. My personal trick is to add lots of veggies and wonderful flavors so the pasta lies in the shadow of the deliciousness of the dish. Please feel free to email me at HangryPants@gmail.com if you have any questions about the “recipe!”
Braised Tomatoes & Cannelini Beans with Spinach Ribbons
You Need:
- 2 Capfuls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (approx. 2 T)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 Box of Whole Wheat Macaroni (I used fusilli)
- 1 14.5 oz Can unsalted diced tomatoes
- Big pinch of dried parsley
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Cups Cannelini Beans (I used dried that I previously cooked, but you can just use a whole can)
- A few basil leaves
- 2 packed cups of Spinach
Here’s What You Do:
Heat the olive oil in a large pan on low heat. Add the garlic. Cook the garlic on low heat only until you can start to smell it in a wonderful way. It goes from good to bad quickly, so be careful!
Add the whole can of tomatoes, parsley, salt and black pepper.Turn to medium-high heat. Cover and leave until most of the liquid is gone. This should be about 8-10 minutes. I used unsalted tomatoes because I really dislike salt, but feel free to add more as you wish.
Wash and cut the spinach into “ribbons” – long thinninsh strips.
If you use canned beans, rinse them first. Add the beans to the tomato mix and let cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until the beans are tender, but not mushy.
Turn the heat off and then add the spinach and chopped basil leaves. Put the cover on the pan and walk away for a few minutes.
In the meantime, cook and drain the pasta.
When you return, the spinach will be cooked, but not wilty.
Add the pasta to the tomato mix and and combine.
You might want to top with some freshly grated Parmesean or Romano cheese!
Thanks so much Heather! That looks amazing! Do YOU want to be my Guest for Dinner? Just send your dinner my way at mara@imadedinner.net and I’ll have you over!
Just a reminder! You can STILL ENTER to win one of the fabulous foodie charms here, or you can order one for just $7 by clicking here! I even made the contest post FIRST on the main page! You can also enter to win a charm at EatingBender and GlidingCalm!
OH! I’m famous! Well, not really, but I was interviewed by the Sacramento Bee newspaper about a month ago about one of my favorite blogs, Poor Girl Eats Well, after her Guest for Dinner post. The article was posted today, and I’m mentioned on page 2! Check it out!
On that note, I’m off to chill… and clean up! Have a great night!
the char, the char! that meal looks delicious, mara. i love grilled food, mmmm.
congrats on your fame! i’m off to read that article …
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog post..What YOU said
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I had burgers tonight too!
Matt´s last blog post..Tagged!
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The burger and all the veggies look sooo good! I think I know what I’ll make when I barbecue next time…
I love pasta and always try to add lots of “stuff” to my pasta dishes. I have never used cannelini beans in a pasta dish; I’ll have to try the pasta recipe soon!
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog post..Weekly Meals (May 26 – May 29)
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Mmm looks delish. I’m totally digging the burnt yummies on the veggies!
Christina´s last blog post..Pineapple Sour Cream Pie
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That’s awesome about the article! You deserve the fame
Oh and grilled veggies are the BEST. I though roasting was my favorite way to go…but on the grill has def taken over the #1 spot. Now if I could only learn to operate the damn thing…
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Mmm grilled anything is fabulous, but grilled meat is the best!
I love that you’re famous! Congrats!
Elizabeth (thelongweigh)´s last blog post..mysqlerror
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Two of my favorite bloggers in one post?! Too good to be true!
I’m off to read the Sac Bee online!
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)´s last blog post..Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
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Mara it is so cool that you were featured in the Sac Bee! That is my hometown paper
I’ve never checked out Poor Girl’s blog but I certainly will now!
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog post..Yet Another Chili Recipe
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it’s really nice to have real friends to enjoy a good meal~
glad you had fun! 
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(off topic) why will the sacremento bee always remind me of chandra levy
off to check it out….
MizFit´s last blog post..The Biggest Loser: A commentary by Sal Marinello
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The vegetables look delicious!!!
Congrats on the interview! That is really exiting.
Hangry Pants´s last blog post..She Says: FAQ on Body Image and Weighing Yourself
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[...] me out – I’m Mara’s Guest for Dinner, which means I revealed a “recipe” for this delicious [...]
2 great meals = 1 GREAT post!!!
Krista´s last blog post..Rainy Wednesday
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i love grilled veggies! great dinner.
Heather’s pasta looks great, too!
brandi´s last blog post..Upscale
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Yum Grilled food! I need a burger stat!
Danielle´s last blog post..Soft and Squishy
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Grilled veggies are always a winner in my book! Next time you make that, I’ll come over for dinner
Congrats on the interview! When you’re a celebrity, can I have your autograph?!
K´s last blog post..Fire Burning
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Mmmm, meat. And that pasta looks incredible! Very Poor Girl friendly! Anyway, thanks again for being a part of my article! I wish they’d linked to our blogs (well, they sorta did for mine but not directly), but I’m working on having them add that in. You really helped with my street cred and I truly appreciate it!
Kimberly @ Poor Girl Eats Well´s last blog post..Newsworthy: PGEW featured in The Sacramento Bee
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I love that tip about pasta! I love it, but I didn’t eat it for so long when I was trying to take off weight. Then I realized that if I load it up with veggies and protein, it becomes a much better meal. As always, it all looks sooooo yummy! I should stop reading your blog right when I’m getting hungry hehe.
Quix´s last blog post..SoC: Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up?
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Yeah celebrity!!!!!
Okay what do you mean about real people? I don’t think I get it.
Erin´s last blog post..Erin: In the words of Ferris Bueller…
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I could totally go for a yummy burger right now! veggies look awesome, too!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog post..Daily Delish – Cheer for cherries
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Mara, I’m so jealous of all the amazing cooking you do. If I had half of your motivation and creativity in the kitchen, I’d be doing so well!
Ashley´s last blog post..FYI
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