A Better Spaghetti

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We’re off on a two-week long Pennsylvania tour extravaganza!  We’re going to back-to-back weddings, so my mom will be dogsitting Maggie and James.    From Charlotte to Knoxville, it’s a short four hour drive!  I’m so happy to be closer to mom.

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Before our trip, I had a slice from that sourdough loaf that Matt brought over.  And on the drive, the Husband and I split a box of Fig Newtons.  I had three!  But I deleted all the pictures from this afternoon by accident – I’m sure ya’ll can visualize (look, I’m a true Southerner already).

 

We arrived at my mom’s around 8 PM.  Hey, HTP Mom!

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She had dinner all ready to go! 

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She made an AMAZING vegan spaghetti.  Spaghetti doesn’t have to be bland and boring – check this out!

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To make the sauce, she combined:

 

  • Green pepper
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Steamed Carrots

 

In a sauté pan with some oil.  Once the veggies were browned, she added frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed) and diced Morningstar veggie burgers.  Then, she mixed in spicy pasta sauce.   It was SO good and flavorful.

 

All together:

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With cherries, watermelon, and garlic bread.

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It was a perfect, refreshing dinner.

 

Spent some time on the patio with the rest of my family in Tennessee!

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And now, I am positively POOPED.  I haven’t been sleeping well since the move and am looking forward to a good night’s sleep. 

 

Sleep tight!

{ 40 comments }

 

  • Ashley June 30, 2010, 10:48 pm

    I’m very happy to hear you’re closer to your mom! As much as I want to move 1000 miles away (Chicago to Flagstaff), I think I’d miss my mom terribly. Illinois not so much lol.

    Sleep good tonight!

  • Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) June 30, 2010, 11:02 pm

    that looks so yummy! and a great way to sneak in veggies 🙂

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) June 30, 2010, 11:08 pm

    What a great dish! Have a great sleep!

  • Anne @thefitbridesmaid June 30, 2010, 11:09 pm

    That looks so good! I’m heading to K-town on Friday (okay just the airport, then on to Oak Ridge). I hope the weather’s great! Have fun at the weddings!!!

    • caitlin July 1, 2010, 8:37 am

      My mom is from Oak Ridge!

      • Anne July 1, 2010, 9:34 am

        I thought you’d mentioned that before. Yay, Tennessee!

  • Heather June 30, 2010, 11:19 pm

    you are on the road so much you may as well live out of your car!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound Weight Loss!!! June 30, 2010, 11:25 pm

    Yummy, looking spagetti! I love Tenn., such a beautiful state. Hope you sleep good.

  • Jo June 30, 2010, 11:30 pm

    Mmmm cherries!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople June 30, 2010, 11:53 pm

    I love all of the extra veggies in the sauce!

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter June 30, 2010, 11:58 pm

    Looks like such a fabulous dinner! Have fun at your mom’s!

  • Candice July 1, 2010, 12:10 am

    The spaghetti looks amazing! I make my sauce just like that except for the veggie burger – I may just put that on my menu for tomorrow!

    I’m so happy for you getting to spend time with your family. I’m gonna be hanging out with my family this weekend, and I can’t wait!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) July 1, 2010, 12:17 am

    Oooh I wanna put veggie burger in a pasta sauce now!

    So much traveling around for you! I’m actually kinda jealous!

  • Jackie (Peaces of Earth) July 1, 2010, 12:19 am

    That’s so awesome that you’re closer to your family! I live across the country from mine and I really miss them.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) July 1, 2010, 12:56 am

    yum, that vegan spaghetti sounds too good to be true!!! mom’s cooking is always the best 🙂

  • Mrs. Muffins July 1, 2010, 1:01 am

    Yum, I love spaghetti! I’ve never thought to add carrot though… must try!!! xx

  • Laura (Starloz) July 1, 2010, 2:19 am

    I’ll have to try the recipe from Mother HTP!
    It sounds delicious!

  • Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) July 1, 2010, 2:32 am

    That sounds like an awesome idea. I love the carrot and a little sugar in my sauce, but never tried veggie burgers… normally spaghetti is my least favorite pasta dish because it seems so boring, but I guess that means I haven´t tried any of the best recipes yet!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs July 1, 2010, 2:45 am

    That must be great to be closer to your mum 🙂 and (although it’s not massively easy to tell), you really look like her!

  • Wei-Wei July 1, 2010, 4:33 am

    That spaghetti just sounds so so so cool. It’s actually quite easy to make vegan pasta, if you think about it! I never really liked bolognese anyway… I like spaghetti with mushrooms and tomato sauce instead. Mmm. 😀

    Your mom looks so sweet! I hope you’re having fun with the family 🙂

    Wei-Wei

  • Julia @ Brit Bride July 1, 2010, 5:08 am

    Mmm yummy! It is so nice being closer to your mum! I am there doing wedding stuff every weekend as you will see from my blog.

    Enjoy the weddings – I will be reading with a keen eye!!

    Julia
    http://www.britbride.com

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine July 1, 2010, 5:48 am

    Have a safe trip and a great time! PA is the best state for sure 🙂

  • Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches July 1, 2010, 5:56 am

    I made a vegan spaghetti for dinner a couple days ago as well by adding lentils to my marinara sauce. It’s remarkable how easy it is to jazz up pasta sauces with a few additions here and there….

    • caitlin July 1, 2010, 8:37 am

      Oh! Lentils sounds like a great idea.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is July 1, 2010, 6:33 am

    That is so great that you are closer to your mom now!

  • Lauren July 1, 2010, 6:39 am

    That is so exciting that you will be in PA!!! Any chance you will be around the Harrisburg area? I would love to show you around for a day! 🙂

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie July 1, 2010, 7:30 am

    Mmm I’ve been craving spaghetti for a bit now and I bought spaghetti noodles yesterday so that I could make some soon! This is positively inspiring!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) July 1, 2010, 7:33 am

    Your mom is a genius for thinking up that recipe! I love spinach in sauce but always forget to add it.

    Have FUN in PA! 😀

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman July 1, 2010, 8:00 am

    That’s such a great way to add veggies to boring pasta. I love that. Spinach sounds like a great addition.

  • Katherine July 1, 2010, 8:01 am

    it is SO cute that your mom is standing on the step to be the same height!
    happy july! free internet at starbucks!

  • Katharine July 1, 2010, 8:01 am

    Moms are the best! I’m sure it will be nice to be closer to her. Safe travels! 🙂

  • Jenny July 1, 2010, 8:24 am

    I’m glad you’re closer to your family!

  • Marie July 1, 2010, 8:28 am

    Aw I’m happy for you, too. I moved 4 hours away from my parents and I miss them so much! It’s a “long” 4 hour drive. This really put that into perspective for me! Only 4 hours! 🙂

  • Deanna July 1, 2010, 8:31 am

    Thanks for your help and insight into the blogging world, Caitlin. So helpful!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 1, 2010, 9:00 am

    Aww, that will be so nice to be closer to your mom! Especially when she makes delicious meals like that. 😉

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers July 1, 2010, 9:12 am

    Aww how wonderful to only be 4 hours from your mom now!! And how awesome that you get to go on a two week adventure 🙂

  • Kelly July 1, 2010, 9:27 am

    Aww yay for getting to see your mom! Have fun at your weddings!

  • Sarah July 1, 2010, 10:22 am

    Not to be picky…but as a born and bred southern gal (Virginia), the correct way is “y’all”, not “ya’ll”, as it is a contraction of “you all”. 🙂 Now all you need is some sweet southern tea and biscuits!!

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary July 1, 2010, 12:29 pm

    Food always tastes better when Mom makes it 😀

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 4, 2010, 7:27 pm

    The spaghetti looks delish!!

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