Anddd I’m back!

Back from literally running around Europe with my little sis for nearly 4 weeks.

No this was not a relaxing trip.

At all.

But it was “heaps” fun, as my new Aussie friends would say, and I definitely saw a lot in a very short period of time.

And ate a ton.

Like 3 times as much as usual.

No, that is not an exaggeration.

So now it’s time to get back into the swing of things.

Less sugar, carbs, and cheese.

(And way less wine + spritzes.)

Tear.

But my body already feels so much better!

Especially after inhaling a bowl of this super green vegan pesto pasta.

It’s loaded with veggies and basil and protein-packed pistachios.

My sister and I are having pistachio gelato withdrawals so I had to squeeze those nutty green guys in the healthy repertoire somehow.

Normally pesto has some sort of cheese action going on, but you really don’t need it!

I folded in perfectly ripe cubed avocado and didn’t miss the cheese one bit.

So what all goes into this suspiciously green pasta?

First up, homemade pesto packed with fresh fragrant basil, a tiny garlic clove for a bit of bite, bright lemon zest and juice, toasted pine nuts, red pepper flakes for a kick, fresh ground black pepper, and a hit of salt, plus extra virgin olive oil to pull it together.

Toss that with whole wheat pasta shells, crisp-tender grilled asparagus and sugar snap peas, sweet peas, creamy avocado, more fresh basil, toasted whole pistachios, and a splash of hot pasta water, then you’re good to go!

(Don’t forget to season your pasta dish with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to really bring out all the flavors.)

Grab a jumbo bowl and devour savor.

Then chase it with a chilled glass of white because life is short.

P.S. If you really need cheese in your life, feel free to grate some Parm right on top.

P.P.S. This dish is best served slightly warm or room temp, but chilled will do too.

P.P.P.S. Cook your veggies until they’re done to your liking. I prefer them a bit charred but not completely floppy.

P.P.P.P.S. On a very unrelated note, I slipped and fell all over the ground in a restaurant right in front of a table of people I know (and was trying to avoid). Great. And on a related note, this pasta made me feel a little better.

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