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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 14, 2011

A Frugal Summer Recipe…Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes

bowtie-pesto-pasta3
Some of you know Vanessa and I had these whole other blog lives before we combined forces and created At The Picket Fence.  But many of our newest friends may not realize that we maintained two separate blogs before we landed here. Vanessa’s leaned toward decorating and home décor.  Mine mainly food. We both loved our other blogs but felt constrained by our choices to focus on such specific genres.  Hence why we decided At The Picket Fence would cover a broad range of topics, idea, projects, and inspiration.
When I decided to essentially shut down Gourmet Meals for Less, I feared losing touch with my “foodie side” just a little, and I have focused much more on home improvement, DIY projects and the such.  BUT, that does not mean that I don’t still L.O.V.E. to cook and to photograph my dishes!  In the past I have had several of my food photographs featured at many of the top Food Po..n um well um.. we’ll avoid that word since the spam might come out in full force, so we’ll just call them “Food Photography Addiction Sites.” You can see my features at Tastespotting, Foodgawker and Dessert Stalking to name a few.  I always get such a thrill when I see one of my photographs featured among such amazing talent!
One of my first friends at Gourmet Meals for Less was Jodie from Eatin’ on the Cheap! She taught me you could create delicious inexpensive cooking and beautiful photography out of the same dish! Her recipes are fabulous and frugal…her photography is amazing! When I saw Jodie’s recipe for Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes I had to try it!
Jodie has a great feature she does where she uses some type of canned meat, mainly tuna, and shows that you can make the most yummiest dishes out of the humblest of foods.  This dish did not disappoint!
bowtie-pesto-pasta2
I was able to make my own pesto from my fresh basil I keep by my back door and we roasted the first of our tomatoes.  Incorporating our own garden produce really cut down on the cost of this already inexpensive dish!

Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes-Eatin’ On the Cheap

Serves 4


Ingredients:

2 cans tuna, drained
2 medium tomatoes, diced
2 T olive oil
1 box ( 16 oz.) bowtie pasta
1 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
fresh black pepper
1 t. lemon zest
Parmesan cheese to serve


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Toss diced tomatoes with olive oil and roast until the tomatoes have softened, about 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions, drain.
Toss pasta with pesto, tuna, roasted tomatoes, lemon zest, and black pepper. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve!

bowtie-pesto-pasta
I’d love you to pay my friend Jodie a visit at Eatin’ On The Cheap! She has been a loyal friend of mine both at Gourmet Meals for Less and At The Picket Fence and besides…if you all are really nice to her maybe she’ll invite me down soon to her family’s fabulous winery in Tennessee! hint…hint Jodie…Winking smile 
Thank for cooking up some thing good with me…At The Picket Fence,
signature
This post is partying at the following places:

Wow Us Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style
Sizzle Into Summer: DIY by Design
House of Hepworths: Hookin Up with HOH
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
Little Brick Ranch: Foodie Friday
Designs By Gollum: Foodie Friday
Modern Country Style: Summer Loving Link Party

23 Comments Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    July 13, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    I will have to try this, Heather. My tomatoes and basil are ready to be harvested in the garden!

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    July 13, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Quick, easy and refreshing!

    Reply
  3. Deneen says

    July 13, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    This looks YUM!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

    Reply
  4. Pink Overalls @DIY Home Staging says

    July 13, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    This recipe looks like a keeper. It’s not only economical and easy, but has layers of flavors (just a guess!).

    I grow basil and tomatoes and make pesto, but never roasted my tomatoes. Thanks for the idea. This could be supper tonight.

    Reply
  5. Richella says

    July 13, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Wow–this looks really delicious. It’s hard to believe that something this lovely would qualify for “eating on the cheap.” Your food photos really ARE beautiful–I can see why they’d end up on food po_n sites!

    Reply
  6. Kim {Recipes To Run On} says

    July 13, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Okay this sounds like the PERFECT summer~time dinner. Bookmarking now and can’t wait to try this! Have a great day!!!

    Reply
  7. Lynn Richards says

    July 13, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    O.K. girls, I’m all caught up and can I tell you-I feel so refreshed and happy after reading all the posts.
    LOVE this blog.
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  8. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    Heather, this looks so good. I love pesto and pasta and will give this one a try. Thanks for sharing this at WUW.

    Reply
  9. Sweet Bee Cottage says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Oh my stars! That looks so delicious! This is going on the family menu next week! Thank you!

    Reply
  10. Carol says

    July 14, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Would love to sit at your table and enjoy this delicious dinner with you.

    Mom and Dad

    Reply
  11. Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottage says

    July 14, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    I can see why they featured your photographs, they are beautiful! I have to save this recipe and try it sometime. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 14, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    It looks wonderful Heather!! Congrats on the features of your beautiful food photos too! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Becca says

    July 14, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    YUMMMMMMMY !! This dish looks absolutely delicious, refreshing and would easily be devoured in our home. I’m taking note … thanks for sharing !! xo

    Reply
  14. Debbie says

    July 14, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Heather, it looks delicious. One of my daughters is a tuna nut and would love this. I’m all about frugal meals and getting even MORE about them day by day. Yikes to the rising costs!

    Reply
  15. Ashley says

    July 14, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    ogoodness it looks so yummy!
    https://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com

    Reply
  16. Ivy and Elephants says

    July 14, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Now I know what I’ll be having for dinner tonight! Thanks, you two always have something great going on.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    Reply
  17. Pamela says

    July 14, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Looks super yummy!

    Reply
  18. Debbie@https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    July 14, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    It looks great! I am so hungry!

    Reply
  19. classic • casual • home says

    July 15, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    Talk about mouth watering!!! I love that family photo and the covered books. So much inspiration.

    Reply
  20. Natasha in Oz says

    July 15, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    Yum! That looks so delicious and so simple too. I can see this is going to become a favourite go-to meal at our place!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha @ 5 Minutes Just for Me

    Reply
  21. Little Brick Ranch says

    July 15, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    This looks FABULOUS! I can’t believe you have ripe tomatoes already…I am so jealous but in the totally supportive and good way! 🙂 Your picture is super and makes me want to jump through the screen to take a bite!

    Thanks for linking up to Foodie Friday. I hope to see you again next week!!

    Reply
  22. JodieMo says

    July 16, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    The pillows are all fluffed! I am waiting for you to get here! I’ve got LOTS of wine for you to drink. :)Thanks for trying my recipe!!

    Reply
  23. Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage says

    August 24, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    This is a lovely dish! And beautiful too!

    Reply

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