Simple Summer Suppers, part 1 of ?

I am finding total joy in my "discovery" that a home-cooked meal doesn't have to be complicated. It is even possible with a very loving toddler clinging to your leg. Or even one-armed, if said toddler insists on being held. Although this is true year-round, it just seems to have clicked for me this summer. Anyway, I love saying "simple summer supper."

1. I've already confessed to a fluid definition of home-cooked. I say if part or most of it is homemade, you win!
2. Vegetables actually taste really good with very little fuss! (Especially when you buy them already chopped up!)
3. Fresh fruit as dessert.

Here are a couple of my favorites from the last couple weeks.

Spinach Tortellini with Zucchini, Peas & Pesto

• Store-bought fresh pasta.
• Store-bought jar of pesto. (I know, but I just planted my basil.)
• I did chop the zucchini myself. The peas were frozen.
• Microwave the veggies while the pasta boil.
• Then toss everything together.

• It is as green as it is good!
• Sidebar: I thought $4 was steep for the teeny bag of tortellini, but it plumps way up & the veggies stretch it out. It made 5 meals - dinner for 3 the first night, then lunch for the munchkin the next day, and lunch for me the day after.

Mustard Roasted Cauliflower

• I served this side tonight with a frozen pasta bag. Still easy night, but the side made it special. It definitely outshone the Macaroni Grill - like the sun v. a lightbulb!
• Preheat oven to 425 F
• Open bagged cauliflower & dump on cookie sheet (covered in foil in this house) 
• Cut extra large pieces so they are all fairly uniform
• Drizzle with EVOO, top with fresh ground pepper & kosher salt, one time over with ground mustard
• Pop in the oven roughly 40 minutes
• I swear somehow this turned into tender, delicious, buttery insanity. I could have eaten dog biscuits for my main dish.

(Disclaimer, this picture was available on Food Network. The recipe was my own creation though. I need to learn about food photography.)

Watermelon

I am currently obsessed with this as a dessert. My daughter loves it and also has a great time squishing it in her hands. Thus, I usually reserve it for a bath night treat.

I'd also like to try watermelon gazpacho and/or a watermelon mohito. Any recipes? Please share!