Fresh and Fast Fruit Salad

Fruit salads are a quick and delicious way to add more fruit to your diet.  Looking into the refrigerator and seeing prepared fruit is a great reminder to grab some on the go.  A fruit salad is truly whatever you want it to be, but I would recommend a wide variety of fruits.  Eating different types and colors of fruit ensures that you are getting a great selection of vitamins and minerals.  Adding 1 tablespoon of any of our balsamic vinegars is a great way to add that little extra flavor.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp - Pastamore Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
1 - large starfruit
1 - golden delicious apple
1 - mango
2 - bananas
3 oz - fresh blueberries
1 - orange, cut into supremes (click here to see how to make supremes)
1 Tbsp - sugar (optional)

Directions:
1.  Wash the starfruit, mango, apple, and blueberries.  Place the blueberries into a medium-size mixing bowl.

2.  Use a peeler to remove the skin from the mango.  Cut the mango into quarters, cutting around the core so that it can be thrown away.  Cut the flesh of the mango into 1/2" x 1/4" pieces.  Add to the mixing bowl.  Cut the starfruit into "coins," removing seeds or core as necessary.  If the starfruit is very large, pieces can be cut in half.  Add to the mixing bowl.

3.   Peel the bananas, and cut down the middle length wise.  Chop into 1/2" thick pieces.  5.  Cut the apple into quarters and remove the core.  Cut the apple into slices as thin as possible.  Combine with the other fruit in the mixing bowl. 

4.  Cut the orange into supremes following the video instructions above.  Cut the supremes in half width-wise, and then add to the mixing bowl.

5.  Add the 1 Tbsp of Pastamore Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and sugar (if you would like it sweeter) to the mixing bowl.  Stir with a large spoon until the fruit is evenly coated.  Place into the refrigerator.  Fruit salads taste great if they are left overnight in the fridge because it allows the flavors to meld together.

6.  Serve as a side dish or dessert.  Drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar on top when served.

Italian Herb Penne Mac and Cheese

How can you go wrong with the ultimate comfort food...Mac and Cheese?  Aprils Seasonal recipe brings it on, the flavor of this Italian Blend Penne with garlic, basil, and tomato makes for an outstanding and savory meal that will tantalize your taste buds.

Tips to avoid a grainy cheese sauce:

- Higher quality cheeses contain less moisture and are less likely to cause graininess.
- Let the milk and cheese warm to near room temperature before using.
- Do not cook the milk at too high of heat, and remove the sauce from the stove to stir in the cheese.
- If the sauce is grainy, strain through a fine mesh colander or a cheesecloth.


Ingredients:
1 12 oz package - Pastamore Gluten-free Italian Blend Penne
16 oz - milk (whole preferred)
4 oz - cheddar cheese
2 oz - Monterrey jack cheese
1 lb - fresh broccoli
1 Tbsp - butter
1 Tbsp - rice flour
To taste - salt and black pepper

Directions:
1.  Place a large pot of water, approximately 1 gallon, on the stove over high heat.  Bring to a boil.  Rinse the broccoli, and cut into bite-size florets.  Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli and cook until tender.  Remove with a slotted spoon, and rinse with cool water.

2.  Return the pot of water to the stove and return to a boil.  Once boiling, add one 12 oz package of Pastamore Gluten-free Italian Blend Penne.  Return to a boil, and decrease the heat so a moderate boil is achieved.

3.  Place a large saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat.  Add the butter, and cook until it is melted.  Add the 1 Tbsp of rice flour, and mix thoroughly with a whisk until fully incorporated.  Slowly add the milk to the pan, mixing continuously with the whisk until all of the milk has been added.  Cook the milk at a simmer, reducing the heat if necessary.  Reduce by approximately 1/3.

4.  Once the pasta has reached the desired doneness, drain with a colander and rinse thoroughly with cool water.  Place to the side.

5.  Remove the pan with the milk from the heat, and slowly add the cheese to the sauce.  Stir throughout, ensuring that the cheese is completely melted.  If the sauce is grainy, now is the time to strain it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh colander.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.  Add the broccoli and pasta to the pan, and stir until evenly coated.  Warm over medium-low heat if the pasta and broccoli have made the sauce too cold.

March Shows and Events 2013

Pastamore Shows and Events for March 2013

2/25-3/17 The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Booth # E7116 10am - 9pm Houston, TX	Every Weekend in March Dallas Farmers Market Dallas, Texas (9:00am - 5:00pm )	March 1 – 3 On the Square Carefree, AZ 10am-5pm Charleston Wine Festival Charleston, SC
March 2 – 3 Fiery Food Show Sandia Casino Albuquerque, NM Coquina Tides Coquina Beach Bradenton, FL March 8 - 10 Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Manuel Lujan Building N.M. Expo Grounds Albuquerque, NM Fort Bliss Officer & Civilian Spouses' Association Spring Bazaar Fort Bliss Trading Post Ft. Bliss, TX Big Horn Homebuilders Association Home Show Sheridan Holiday Inn and Convention Center 1809 Sugarland Drive Sheridan, WY Friday, 5:00Pm – 8:00pm Saturday, 9:00am - 6:00pm Sunday, 9:00am – 3:00pm Southern Women’s Show Memphis, TN March 9 - 10 In the Park 10am-5pm Litchfield Place, AZ Smoky Hill High School Bazaar 9am-4pm Aurora, Co	March 15 Junior League of Pueblo Ladies Night Out 5pm-9pm Pueblo Event Center Pueblo, CO March 15 - 17 At the Fountains Fountain Hills, AZ 10am-5pm Central Wyoming Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show Casper Events Center 1 Events Dr. Casper WY  82601 Friday 10:00am – 8:00pm Saturday  10:00am – 6:00pm Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm Road to the Horse Lexington, KY Sonoma County Home and Garden Show Sonoma County Fairgrounds Santa Rosa, CA   March 16 Ellis County Master Gardener Show Waxahachie Convention Center Waxahachie, Texas 9:00am - 5:00pm	March 16 - 17 Lido Beach Spring Fest Sarasota, FL March 22 - 24 4th Street Tuscan, AZ 10am – 5:30pm Junior League of Monroe Spring Market Civic Center Arena Monroe, LA March 23 - 24 Chocolate & Coffee Festival Manuel Lujan Building, N.M. Expo Ground  Albuquerque, NM Anna Marie Island Taste of Arts Anna Maria Island Bradenton, FL Sarasota Arts and Crafts Sarasota, FL March 30 - 31 The Villages Art and Craft Show The Villages, FL Downtown Sarasota Spring Fest Downtown Sarasota, FL