Basilosaurus Appreciation

California Grilled Veggie and Pesto Pasta Charred Summer Veggie Pasta with Fresh Basil Pesto Ingredients: 12 oz pasta (farfalle, penne, or rotini) 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds 1 yellow squash, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red onion, sliced into rings 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Optional: pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish Directions: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and red onion in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill 3–4 minutes per side until charred and tender. Cut grilled vegetables into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with pesto until evenly coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with pine nuts and fresh basil, if using. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a pasta salad. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #grilledveggies #vegetarianpasta #pestopasta #summerdinners #californiacooking #freshflavors #veggiepasta #basilpesto #easyvegetariandinner #chargrilledveggies #pastaideas #meatlessmeal #colorfulplate #mediterraneanpasta #healthycomfortfood #pastaandveggies #plantbaseddinner #homemadepesto #pastaart #seasonaleating So fresh, so grilled, so California This Grilled Veggie & Pesto Pasta is bursting with color, flavor, and feel-good vibes.

Tomato and Rice Soup Hearty Tomato and Rice Soup with Herbs and Garlic Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 carrot, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes 4 cups vegetable broth 3/4 cup white rice (or brown rice) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley or basil for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Directions: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened. Add garlic, oregano, basil, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #tomatoricesoup #souprecipes #comfortfood #vegetariansoup #easydinners #riceinbroth #heartymeals #souplover #tomatolovers #homecooking #herbalsoup #weeknightrecipes #souprecipeideas #veggiesoup #souphacks #plantbasedsoups #familydinners #ricebasedsoup #soupseason #simpleingredients A warm bowl of Tomato and Rice Soup is all you need on a chilly day. Comforting, herby, and hearty with just the right balance of flavors.

Vietnamese Grilled Chicken with Rice Noodles Fragrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Grilled Chicken over Rice Vermicelli (Bún Gà Nướng) Ingredients: For the Chicken Marinade: 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs (skinless) 3 tablespoons lemongrass, finely minced 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon shallots, minced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon ground black pepper For the Noodle Bowl: 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles 2 cups lettuce, shredded 1 cup cucumber, julienned 1 cup bean sprouts 1 large carrot, shredded Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, Thai basil Crushed roasted peanuts (for garnish) Fried shallots (optional, for garnish) For the Nước Chấm (Dipping Sauce): 1/3 cup fish sauce 1/3 cup water 3 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 garlic clove, minced 1 Thai chili, finely sliced (optional) Directions: In a large bowl, mix together lemongrass, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, shallots, oil, and pepper. Add chicken and coat well. Marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor). Cook rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and set aside. Grill marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until caramelized and fully cooked. Let rest, then slice. In a small bowl, combine all Nước Chấm sauce ingredients. Stir until sugar dissolves. Assemble bowls by placing a layer of noodles, followed by lettuce, cucumber, carrots, sprouts, and herbs. Top with grilled chicken slices. Drizzle with dipping sauce and garnish with peanuts and fried shallots. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #vietnamesefood #grilledchicken #bunghanouong #ricevermicelli #asiannoodlebowls #vietnamesechicken #lemongrasschicken #freshherbs #nướcchấm #vietnamesecuisine #healthyasianrecipes #ricebowlideas #streetfoodvibes #chickennoodlebowl #vietnamesegrill #herbaceousmeals #southasianflavors #vermicellibowl #lightandfresh #simplevietnamese Fresh, fragrant, and full of flavor! This Vietnamese Grilled Chicken with Rice Noodles is perfect for warm-weather eating.

Seafood and Coconut Milk Soup Fragrant Coconut Milk Seafood Soup with Lemongrass and Lime Ingredients: 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised and chopped 2 teaspoons red curry paste (optional for spice) 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk 2 cups seafood or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon fish sauce Juice of 1 lime 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound white fish (like cod or tilapia), cut into chunks 1/2 cup calamari rings (optional) 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced Salt to taste Fresh cilantro or Thai basil for garnish Lime wedges for serving Directions: In a large pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in red curry paste (if using) and cook for another minute. Pour in the coconut milk and broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Add fish sauce, lime juice, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes. Gently add the shrimp, white fish, and calamari. Simmer until the seafood is cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Taste and season with salt as needed. Remove lemongrass pieces before serving. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges on the side. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #coconutmilsoup #seafoodsoup #asiansoup #thaiinspired #healthysouprecipe #paleofriendly #dairyfreegoodness #shrimprecipes #onepotmeals #comfortbowl #cleaneating #brothbasedsoup #cozysoups #spicyseafood #simpledinners #coconutmilkrecipes #glutenfreesoup #seafoodlover #lightmeals #weeknightdinner Soothing, creamy, and full of ocean flavor This Seafood and Coconut Milk Soup is your one-way ticket to tropical comfort.