Category Archives: Lunch Box

Cherry Tomato Cheese Balls

My four-year-old daughter loves tomatoes.  With my help, she can make this simple recipe.  She even gathers basil from the garden and tears it into small pieces.

by Elizabeth Savoie Dronet

Ingredients

1 pkg cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
fresh basil, chopped or torn
salt and pepper to taste

Method

Slice the top off of each tomato and gently scoop out some of the seeds.  Turn upside down on a paper towel to drain for a few minutes.

Mix cream cheese with basil, salt, and pepper.  Fill tomatoes with cheese mixture and place the lids back on top.  They will not close completely.

*Thinly sliced chives or green onions may be substituted for basil.

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Filed under Appetizer, Lunch Box, Salads, Vegetarian

Chickpea Pasta with Almonds

We like to eat this pasta on picnics. Just pack the almonds separately to keep their crunch.

by Elizabeth Savoie Dronet

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
3.5 cups of vegetable broth (1.5 cubes of Knorr brand)
1/8-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
8oz angel hair pasta
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup flat leafed parsley, chopped
1/4 cup unsalted roasted almonds, chopped (can use less)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Cook garlic for 1 minute.  Add broth and red pepper and bring to a boil.  Add the pasta, stirring until the broth is mostly absorbed, around 6 minutes. Stir in chickpeas and parsley.  Serve with Parmesan cheese and almonds on top. Eat warm or at room temperature.

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Filed under Lunch Box, Main Dish, Vegetarian