Monthly Archives: December 2023

My famous Simple Pasta recipe

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So years ago my kids liked Kraft Mac and Cheese then Annie’s but I wasn’t crazy about all the other stuff in either of them so I created simple Pasta. This started with butter and shaker cheese but morphed into something better.

Ingredients: 1 Box Ronzoni Vegetable Pasta, I tub Mascarpone cheese, 2 table spoons minced Garlic , 3 large broccoli crowns, salt and pepper.

Directions: Bring a large boiling pan filled with water to a boil. While the water is boiling, separate and cut all broccoli from the crowns. When the water is rolling, put the broccoli crowns and pasta and cook according to the pasta recommendations on the box (about 11 minutes).

Drain the pasta and broccoli, return them to the boiling pan, and add the tub of Mascarpone cheese, along with the 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. Salt and pepper to taste. Pretty simple.

Warning kids will love this and will be getting their vegetables also.

BON APPETITE!

Volunteering Felt right in 2023.

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I spent most of this past year volunteering in and around Salem, MA. In the spring I raked up cigarette butts in Lafayette Park alongside Jeff Cohen and others for the Salem beautification Committee. It was a cold wet productive day that was rewarded with very good pizza from Essex Pizza and a reception at East Regiment Beer Company.

Later in the Spring I slyly volunteered for the Salem Arts Festival and I worked the rainy and cold main stage. The volunteer that worked the venue was pleased to have a seasoned AV volunteer and when I hear we were not getting lunch I had Essex pizza deliver to us on the main stage.

I worked in the Point at the food Pantry for a few months and tried to improve both my Spanish and Portuguese much to the laughter of patrons whose English was much better than either attempts at Spanish or Portuguese. They do a wonderful job at the Salem Pantry and I hope to volunteer there again soon. They are always looking for additional help so please check them out.

Lastly in October I continued my riding for the Great Cycle Challenge and raised more money than I thought and added to my 4 year legacy for this event.

Volunteering felt right this year. I was able to be useful and give back to the city of Salem. I learned lots more about the City I live in and I look forward to helping more in 2024 as time allows.

You don’t have to run for office to make an impact in Salem, just be of service where you can. I f you have the time, please consider joining me in 2024.