Organic meatless pasta recipe

Hi! Lately I've been craving somewhat light dishes that do not involve meat or heavy oils. I came across this recipe and fell in love with it. Major points go to the fact that the meal can be ready in under 20 minutes. And if you are like me and have long hours at work - this recipe is a true finding. 

The time saver for this go-to spring dish is cooking the vegetables with the pasta. It’s an easy technique that works with many veggies.

Ingredients

1 pinch table salt, for cooking pasta (or to taste)

8 oz uncooked linguini, or spaghetti

1 pound(s) uncooked asparagus, ends trimmed, sliced diagonally into 1-in pieces

3/4 cup(s) frozen green peas

3/4 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese

10 tsp grated Parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided

1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp lemon zest, (or more to taste)

1/2 tsp table salt

1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground (or more to taste)

1/4 cup(s) fresh mint leaves, or basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add pasta and cook until almost al dente, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus and peas and return to a boil; cook until pasta and vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes more. Drain pasta and vegetables, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid; set aside.

2. In a serving bowl, combine ricotta, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, oil, garlic, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid.

3. Add pasta, vegetables and mint (or basil leaves) to bowl; toss to mix and coat, adding more cooking liquid if desired. Serve sprinkled with remaining 4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese and additional pepper and/or lemon zest, if desired. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.

That's it!!! I hope you will try it and it will become a staple in your home cooked meals, just like it became in my house:)

Bye, bye

Warmly, Olha

P.S. I like my SanPellegrino with this meal. Perfect for true foodies :) 

www.sanpellegrino.com

Ricotta pancakes recipe - Ukrainian Sirniky

I'm back with another recipe. This time is it a sweet dessert. I remember eating these pancakes when  I was little and it is definitely on the list of my favorite desserts. 

Lets get started!!!

Ingredients You Will Need:

350 grams (0.77 lb)

1/4 cup of sugar ( you may use less, it's optional)

2 eggs

4 Tbsp of all purpose flour

This recipe is very easy, all you need to do now is mix all of your ingredients, mix should be nice a creamy without big clumps.

Then use frying pan and spatula. Put oil in the frying pan and with a spoon place the pancake mix in it, making little islands in the frying pan. I make my pancakes thin but big and round, that way they are cooked faster. I would say you only need to cook them for few minutes on each side. And it's done.

After they are ready you can use some powdered sugar or jam on them.

I eat mine with a side of fruit.

Enjoy!

XOXO, Olya

Pesto Pasta Recipe.

-Pesto anyone? 

-Yes, Please!!!

Here's my very easy and very yummy recipe !

Ingredients: 

1 box (13-16oz) of pasta (I used whole wheat)

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

4 cloves of garlic minced

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 or  3/4 cut of pine nuts (depends how much you like them)

1/4 cup olive oil

~

Ingredients to marinate the shrimp:

1 lb of large peeled shrimp

1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

6 garlic cloves minced

2 teaspoons of sweet dried basil

Directions.

1. Marinate the shrimp few hours before cooking the dish. I would say 1-2 hours should be fine. To marinate just combine all the shrimp marinate ingredients together, mix and store in the fridge for  1-2 hours. When ready to start cooking go to step 2.

2. Bring salted water to boil and put the pasta in to cook. Follow the instructions on the box for time.

3.  Put basil leaves, pine nuts, minced garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese into the blender and blend everything together until you get nice creamy mix. I left mine a little chunky because I really like pine nuts and wanted to leave them somewhat visible.

4. When pasta is done cooking, drain the water out. I left pasta in the same pot where it was cooking. Add pesto to the pot with pasta. Mix pasta with your pesto sauce well.

5. Marinated shrimp put on a skillet  and cook for few minutes. I poured some of the remaining marinate into the skillet too. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Few minutes on the skillet is enough. (Pink shrimp is the color of cooked shrimp)

6. At this point everything is ready. So you can either mix it all together or like I did I placed shrimp on the side. I also added some fresh mozzarella cheese on top of my pesto pasta, and added some tomatoes on the side. 

Try this recipe, and let me know how you like it!

It's very easy to make!

Bon Appetit!!!      

Winter Fun!

First of all Happy New Year, guys! Let it be the best year for all new beginnings! 

Starting a new year is always exciting for me,   I always try to do something different from the year before. 

This year we decided to visit my cousin and his family in Toronto. I had no idea how fun his little ones are. It must be the age, because I remember when they were younger all they wanted to do was be with mom and dad. Now, they are so much fun! We went sledding one day and had the best time ever!

Here's few picture from that day. 

{N and I did a pretty good job winterizing ourselves in the warmest boots and coats! How did you prepare for winter? and if where you live it summer right now, what did you buy to stay cozy?}

xoxo, Olya

My favorite pasta recipe

Hey everyone! 

I made this pasta last week and and it came out so good that I decided to share recipe. 

Enjoy

Ingredients: 

2 Red peppers (cut into long pieces)

6 strands of asparagus (cut into pieces)

1 cup of broccoli (cut into pieces)

1 cup of baby bella mushrooms (cut into pieces)

3 cloves of garlic minced

3 tablespoon of olive oil

2/3 cup of heavy cream 

2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of black pepper

1/2 tsp of Vegeta or a pinch of a dry vegetable stock 

10-15 pieces of regular size shrimp

13.25 oz. = 1 box of Barilla Penne pasta

Instructions:

1. Take a big pot, fill it with water.  Add 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of olive oil to it. Bring it to boil. When water is boiling put the pasta into pot and follow the cooking directions that are on the box of pasta.

2. While pasta is cooking cut red peppers, asparagus, broccoli and mushroom into desired pieces. ( on the picture you can see how I did it)

3. Add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and 1tsp of salt to the pan and add vegetables. Cook them there for about 10 minutes or until they are as tender as you desire. Make sure not to over cook them, they'll be too mushy later on.

4. In a different pan add the last Tbsp of olive oil, heat it, then add garlic. Cook it for about 30 seconds. Just as you start to smell the scent of garlic add heavy cream and 2 tsp of black pepper. Stir. Bring it to boil.

5. Add raw shrimp to the heavy cream. Salt shrimp with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 10 minutes and stir few times until shrimp is all cooked.

6. After pasta is cooked, drain it but leave a bit of that water in the pot (1/4 of a cup). Add vegetables and heavy cream with shrimp to the pot as well. Stir everything. Serve to eat.

Bon Appetit!

Let the fall shopping spree begin!

I was eyeing these for some time now and  as always had the headrest time to pick  the colors and click that "PLACE YOUR ORDER" space. But I guess today was the day. I did it! 

I started my fall shopping yesterday. Which was very successful, and a new fall/winter coat is now nicely hanging in the closet, waiting for its time. As well as a new (very cute, I promise) clutch!  

I am still on the look out for a new leather jacket and a black bag. 

I think I'm done buying pants, but new winter boots is a must! Last year I had no luck with boots, so I hope this year to do better in that department.

xoxo, Olya 

{Ahh... can't wait to put these on}

Neck workout...purchase from Zara

It might be a serious neck workout to wear this piece. But what a love at first sight:)

xoxo, Olya

Current wish list

I don't do these too often, but I felt like looking up pretty stuff and making a wish list.

Enjoy!

 French Connection dress

Zara grey T-shirt

Zara jacket

H&M ponytail cuff

 Zara white blouse

Zara statement necklace

J. Crew pencil crop pants

Tory Burch satchel 

 3.1 Phillip Lim bag

Nike runners

Gorjana double cross necklace

Otrera scarf {here}

J.Crew bracelet

Reed Krakoff tote

xoxo, Olya

Bag stories

Shopping addiction is still going strong.

 Just as if I don't have enough bags, I've been eyeing some of these.

 The good news is that some of them are starting to go on sale.  The bad news is  - I'm very indecisive and will probably change my mind like million times before I actually pick the one I like. There are so many good bags out there. 

Last week I went through my bag collection and gave up few of my bags to my mom.  

Therefore, I'm looking for some replacements:)

1. Python Embossed clutch by Allibelle 

2. Cross body bag by Z Spoken Zac Posen 

3. Shirley Bow satchel by Z Spoke Zac Posen

4. Back Pocket clutch by Marc By Marc Jacobs

{all images are from piperlime.com}

Summer days

Hi guys!

Just a recap of last Sunday. Morning was spent at this lovely farm, where we got to pick some sweet peas and strawberries. The weather was perfect too, couldn't ask for better.

How is everyone's summer going so far?

 XOXO, Olya

Peter Pan collar.

It's funny how trends  tend to come back  after many years. We are all obsessed with neons, friendship bracelets, and big chunky jewelry pieces, that were so popular in the 80's and 90's. And now another  old trend from the past, this Peter Pan collar necklace. I love it! 

I don't know if any of you watch the show Pretty Little Liars, but in the last season  (season 2), last episode, where Spencer was at the masquerade  ball she wore a mustard dress and this very lovely collar necklace. Ever since then, I was looking for one. I found few eBay retailers who make these and was sort of putting off ordering from there, cause I was hoping to find one in a local store. (I hate paying shipping). 

And  finally, I  was in H&M the other day and they had this lovely piece. Can't wait to put more wear into it. 

What do you think of these? Yay or Nay?

Like usual, made my collage for instagram.  My user name is olhabear.

XOXO, Olya

Instagraming

Instagram! I am bananas about insragram! I almost never go on on Facebook and twitter  anymore. But I am always on Instagram. My username is : olhabear, feel free to join.

And now that we are on this subject, here is a little collage of my "feet" that I've instagramed in the past weeks or so.

XOXO, Olya

I'm very sad to report that I am back from vacation.

  But, I 'm already planning my next one! 

I want to say that this was the first time in my life, when I truly relaxed. It might sound selfish, but I really enjoyed being away from all the busy and active lives we lead in the  States. 

I love my life, but I do enjoy these getaways! 

I was thinking of going to the other hemisphere for the next vacation. Any recommendations? Maybe Greek islands, or Thailand? or even Paris? 

I don't know, but we shall see something new:)

Punta Cana, DR

 Saona Island, DR

xoxo

Hey guys!

Welcome to all of my new readers! I'm very excited to have you here on my blog!

And hello to my old readers, who've hung around through these couple of rough months. 

I hope everyone is doing well. 

Just wanted to stop by and share with you my latest addition to the shoe family that I have at a current residence of mine.  These are as perfect as I would want them to be. Very comfortable  and oh so pretty. 

                   {Shoes Charles Jourdan from Neiman Marcus Last Call}

skin care

Hey there!

After a long battle with different skin care products I came back to my old and  well know clarisonic.

I tried many face cleansers with it, and the latest one that I'm using is this one by Benefit. So far no breakouts, and everything is going smoothly. I've used it for about 2 weeks now. A lot of people like it and recommend it. I gave it a try and it seems to work just fine. I have to warn you though, it has a pleasant but very strong smell. Therefore, may not work everyone.

xoxo, Olya

MARNI kind of day

These designer collaborations with H&M are becoming like a special occasion to see my two dear friends from my freshman year in college. We hang out, we gossip, we shop. 

I didn't get much, but at least I had an awesome time with my girls!

Did any of you shopped this collection? They had some seriously awesome accessories, 

which were gone so fast!

New on the shelf

I've got mint green on my mind...

Zara shoes

I never thought I would say this (fall and winter lover), but I cannot wait for Spring!

Few inspirational pictures to cheer up the last weekend of winter.

{via, via}

Dreaming's Not Forbidden

THIS IS WHAT I AM:

 THIS IS WHAT I WISH I COULD BE:

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

OLYA

all images are from google.com

in love...