Recipe Love - Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo (Gluten Free Option)

When we went gluten free, I had gained quite a collection of pasta recipes.  In my gluten free newness, I thought we'd never again use them, because (obviously) pasta equals gluten and so forth.  I didn't know they had yummy gluten free pastas (and some of which we won't mention, because they were an utter failure)!  Lately, I have been taking a few of my previous favorite pasta recipes and simply subbing the noodles for a gluten free variety and they evoke the same flavors we used to love.  (We prefer the Barilla brand, so far.)  Pasta is such a treat! Today's recipe love is for Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo from here.  (Note: I'm not a fan of the blog name, but this girl has great recipes.)

When I first tried this recipe, years ago, I was just branching out in my ingredient list, as I had never tried roasted red peppers.  Where had these been, all of my life?  (By the way, you can usually find them near the pickles, in the grocery store.)  Today, it was all I could do not to eat all of the peppers, before I tossed them in the sauce.  (So good.)  The charred outer parts are the best!  This recipe calls for goat cheese, but as I had cream cheese on hand, at the time, cream cheese has stuck as our go-to.  The sauce is eat-with-a-spoon delicious and I usually do (eat it with a spoon, that is, in the name of "I must taste it to see if it needs salt," a thousand times).  So, on to the recipe!  You can find it, here.  My changes are as follows...

Ingredients

• 12 ounces linguine (I use Barilla gluten free spaghetti)
  
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (I use 1 clove)
• 1 onion, diced (I use 1/2 an onion)
• 1/2 cup milk (I use 3/4 C.)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (I use 3/4 C. of half-n-half)
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese (I use 8 oz of cream cheese)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish (I eyeball this...I love Parmesan, so it's usually more)
• 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

As you can see, I add more liquids and cream cheese, because I prefer more sauce.  I usually end up having to add more water, anyway. (Tip: save your pasta water...I normally forget to do this!)  Too, I don't have an immersion blender, so my food processor works great (you could use a blender, as well)!  This recipe is super simple and is full of flavor.  It has been a favorite of ours, since we first had it.  It's easy to put together and comes together quickly (it can be done in less than 30 minutes).  Add a quick salad and you have yourself a great meal (whether gluten free or not)! 

What are your favorite pasta dishes?

Enjoy!

If you'd like to see behind the scenes, you are welcome to follow me on Instagram at  @taylor_forhisglory...

#instastory 

Finding Joy in the Routine

Hi, my name is Taylor.  That piece of information you already know, but I feel I need to reintroduce myself, after such a long break.  Over the past few months, I've been in the process of simplifying my business endeavors and growing them, at the same time.  I felt led to solely focus on one passion (which can be a bit of a challenge for this "like to do a little bit of everything" girl), but it has been the greatest blessing.  It's always nice when things fall into place, after months of transition and growth.

So, what's new?  Not much, lately, except a haircut.  :)  Which leads me to my thought of the day...am I okay with the that?  I am.  Don't get me wrong, we should always be striving for growth in our walks with the Lord and personal development, but I'm talking life in the general sense.  We often get caught up in the thrill of exciting events and waiting for the next big thing, but those times aren't the norm.  Most days consist of waking up to my alarm, if my cat doesn't wake me up, first (I can usually feel her eyes watching me and begging me to pat her on the head...umm, good morning), getting ready for the day, collaborating with Momma on meals and trying a new gluten free recipe, running my home business, researching health and wellness, corresponding with customers and friends, working on projects (I usually have at least one thing I'm working on...currently, it is the Pillow Case Challenge), helping around the house, and the usual "life" stuff.  Pretty normal, eh?  I'm sure your days consist of much of the same (laundry, meals/meal planning, cleaning, family time, errands, etc.).  It's easy to get discontent with the normal, but it's really an opportunity to find joy.  I'm finding joy in this season, because the normal doesn't always stay "normal."  Are we faithful in the mundane?  Are we joyful in the most basic tasks?  Are we patient, if we are in a waiting stage?  I haven't arrived in this area, but I'm closer than I was, several years ago.  It has taken time and the Lord's patient work, in my heart.  There are times I wish the next stage of life would come, but I know with it will come excitement, but also routines that will need to be carried out with joy.  So, I'm using this time to pray for a joyful heart and make the little things special (fun shopping trips with Mom and Leah, grocery shopping days equal iced coffee runs, and cleaning days are a good excuse to pull out Michael Buble's Christmas album...yes, I know it's August.)  :)

What's the Lord asking of you, in your season?  Is He asking you to find contentment in the everyday or is He teaching you to trust Him, in a new and exciting season?  Each season brings its own set of challenges and opportunities to grow.

Until next time...