Pasta di Estate

The last days of summer mean many different things. As I write today I can see the very tips of my neighbor's maple just starting to turn a familiar shade of orange. The days have already begun to feel shorter, the evenings are noticeably cooler, and predictably we try to fit as much into our schedules as we can before fall starts. After a long day on the hospital wards, a comforting bowl of fresh pasta is my favorite way to enjoy the little bit of summertime I have left. Pasta di Estate, literally 'summer pasta' in Italian, takes advantage of the fresh tomatoes and herbs currently available at any corner produce stand in a family-friendly dish you can take from stove top to table in 20 minutes.

Spicy Thai Basil Stir Fry with Tofu and Cashews

Who doesn't love a fast dinner that utilizes the best of what you have growing in your garden (or local farmer's market)? That about sums up this dish that I put together  for dinner with the hubs last week. We love stir fry, but I feel there's only so many ways you can mix together citrus, soy sauce, cilantro and veggies before it gets boring. So to spice things up literally and figuratively, I pulled a few ingredients that are at right at their peak in my Minnesota garden to create a fresh take on classic stir fry.