Pasta With Spinach, Lemon, and Basil

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked orecchiette, or spiral pasta
2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups trimmed arugula or baby spinach
1 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped (about 1 [1-ounce] package)
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup veggie broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
5 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Place pasta in a large bowl; drizzle with oil, tossing to coat.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic to pan; sauté 1 minute or until garlic begins to brown. Add pasta mixture, tomatoes, pepper, and beans; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in arugula, basil, rind, juice, broth and salt; cook 1 minute or until arugula wilts. Spoon 1 1/2 cups pasta mixture into each of 6 shallow bowls; top each serving with 2 1/2 teaspoons pine nuts and 2 teaspoons cheese. Serve immediately.

Lentil Salad

Here is one of my all time favorite side dish/ snack/ all around good food recipes. It is deceptively easy and tastes so freaking good.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups brown lentils, rinsed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
salt and pepper
Directions:
1 - In a small saucepan, cover lentils with water by one inch. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially uncovered, until lentils are tender but still holding their shape. (20 to 25 minutes) Drain well.
3 - In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil. Add lentils, cucumber, parsley and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat with dressing.
4 - Cool to room temperature or serve chilled

Bean and Corn Salad

I just found this recipe and it sounds really yummy! I can't wait to make it!

Mix together in a large bowl:

* 2 cups cooked black beans
* 1 1/2 cups cooked corn kernels (either fresh, frozen or canned)
* 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
* 1/2 medium red onion chopped
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

Dressing:

* 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* Salt to taste

Mix dressing, add it to salad, stir to combine well, and enjoy! NOTE: A nice alternative is to use fresh lime juice instead of lemon, and substitute fresh coriander for the parsley.

Original Recipe found here