i failed kindergarten...

Ahhhhh...Summer time. Can't get enough of it or melding. It really is quite great. Or ranch. Anything smothered in ranch is truly ideal. Right? Right! Ranch is unhealthy you say? Well the veggies I'm eating it with aren't, so hush your face. Also, can we just talk about how I can't follow the directions very well?! Ya, I suck at it, elementary school was the worst, I would always get in trouble for not following directions because um, hellooo, my way is better!!! Anyways, f you look at the original recipe, you'll see why.

Summer Tortellini Ravioli Salad
from: My Sister's Cafe
Served: 3-4
Prep Time: 10 minutes

-1 package of frozen ravioli/tortellini {I used the lobster stuffed kind, soooooo goood!!}
-1 carrot
-1 stalk of celery
-1 medium zucchini
-1 bell pepper
-1 roma tomato
-1 clove garlic
-4 tsp of dried parsley
-1/2 cup ranch dressing
-1 large shredded, cooked chicken breast

1. Cook frozen pasta according to directions.
2. Chop up all veggies.
3. Combine everything together. Stir well.
4. Let meld for 3-4 hours. Put in your mouth.

sometimes i swear i'm a genius.

Remember my plea for a reverse crockpot?! Well, I found one... Sort of. Let me introduce to you; The Refrigerator. Yes, that's right, that big thing right in the middle of the kitchen that is cold! No, I am not joking. Of course, you may be wondering how such a thing works. Let me introduce to you salads that must "meld" before being eaten. It is awesomeness. And solves all the problems in the world.

Cilantro Pesto Pasta
by: Summer Recipes
Serves: 6-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Meld Time: 4+ hours

Here's what you need:

-1 lb small pasta - I used penne
-1/2 cup olive oil
-1 cuo cilantro
-2 cloves garlic
-1 tsp oregano [i used italian seasoning]
-1/4 cup pine nuts [i omitted]
-1/2 cup black olives, roughly chopped
-salt and pepper
optional items that I threw in
-1/2 lb chicken breast, cooked
-a few sprinkles of parmesan cheese

Here's what you do:
1. In a food processor/blender, puree the olive oil, cilantro, garlic and oregano.
2. Cook pasta according to box.
3. Mix 1 and 2 thoroughly.
4. Add the pine nuts, olives, chicken, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
5. Let MELD in the fridge for 4+ hours. Stir again, put in your mouth.

Here's the thing about this; that one cup of cilantro made about 3 tablespoons of pesto, if that. You are going to want to possibly double that part of the recipe, especially if you add some chicken.