Post # 101 - Tyler's Penne Pasta with Baby Artichokes, Olives, and Peas ** plus a LUSH Giveaway!!!**

Ever since I can remember, pasta has been my favorite thing to eat. I love all kinds of pasta: spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, etc. Pasta was also the first thing I learned how to cook. What kind of pasta did I cook? Kraft macaroni and cheese in the blue box. It was the cheesiest after all!! Since then I have cooked so many pots of pasta, but it was my love for pasta that got me in the kitchen in the first place. Was there something that you loved that got you into the kitchen? Do you remember the first thing you ever cooked?? I'll be asking you again later.


For my 101st post, I decided to cook a pasta dish from Tyler Florence. I've had my eye on this recipe for Penne Pasta for a long time. I had to adapt the recipe slightly. I used canned artichokes hearts instead of fresh. I also used a spoonful of tomato paste instead of chopped tomato. Additionally, I left out the peas because I didn't have any. The pasta was very bright from the lemon and very fresh tasting with the artichokes, lemon and olives. The tomato paste created a pretty color and a nice tomato flavor. I really enjoyed this as a light lunch. I think it could even be eaten cold as a pasta salad.


Now onto the giveaway!! I have a part-time job at one of the most fun places up at the mall.....LUSH FRESH HANDMADE COSMETICS. Everything is handmade up in Canada and shipped to us fresh. We have all sorts of goodies: bath bombs, bubble bars, solid shampoo bars, lotions, skincare, fresh face masks, handmade soaps, etc. This giveaway is for two products!! One of our BESTSELLING bath bombs......SEX BOMB (see below). Drop this bath bomb into the bath for a jasmine scented bath and enjoy the light pink colored water!!The second part of the giveaway is for one bar of extra-virgin olive oil soap. This soap is great in the shower or great by the kitchen sink. It has a very gentle lather and a very light floral scent which comes from the fresh EVOO. This is a great and moisturizing soap.

Remember earlier when I asked you about the first thing you ever cooked? Please leave a comment sharing the first dish you ever made. I'm really excited to see all the different answers.

Each comment will receive one entry into the giveaway. The giveaway will go on for one week, ending at midnight next Friday. I will announce the winner next Saturday and mail them their prize. I will do the giveaway the the old-fashioned way. All names will go into a hat and one will be chosen by this little guy below. He plays fair, I promise : )

This is my entry this week for Tyler Florence Fridays. Head on over there to see what everyone else is cooking up.