Okay guys, I have to be 110% honest in stating: I cannot COOK! 

Going off to college in just one year has me wanting to pull my hair out everytime I'm forced near a kitchen. And I love my hair. But to avoid that Freshman 15- or any 15, for that matter, (this is not just a recipe for students!) I have to fake it every once in a while. And when I say fake it, I don't mean call for take out and arrange it nice and pretty on some china when your boyfriend's parents think you're cooking for them.

So here it is: an easy recipe with awesome flavor. It's perfect to present for when you need to make people think you can, well, cook!

Try it out. Super simple, I promise! If you can open a couple jars and a box, boil water and slice cheese, you're so ready to do this!

What You'll Need:

• a box of pasta (any kind. I love whole grain pasta to make it a little h e a l t h y. A great opportunity to "make half your grains whole" as instructed by the food guide) .
• A jar of tomato sauce (water-based is probably best, try not to go too thick. I highly recommend the brand Via Roma- try out their Marinara for this one).
• Some fresh Mozzarella Cheese (although any mozzarella could work for this one. Work with what you've got).
• A jar/container of Kalamata olives (In pasta!? YES. The flavor is amazing mixed with the pasta and cheese. I swear you'll never want pasta without the fancy-seeming olives again!)
• Basil/ Black Pepper for garnishing

Now you're ready to cook away. Try telling your guests they'll be having "whole wheat pasta tossed with fresh mozzarella and kalamata olives in a light marinara sauce." My mom's jaw dropped. You're talking about the girl who burns toast and even overflows her cereal bowl, while somehow managing to screw up a PB&J. And she can do this. So hello, so can you!

Making it Happen: 

1. Boil water in a pot. (Using a lid makes water boil faster. Watch it to avoid boiling over.)
2. When water is bubbling, add to the water the box of pasta.
3. While pasta is cooking, slice the desired amount of mozzarella into small pieces to be melted down later. (Also, try cutting the olives into halves or quarters as well, to minimize the amount needed and their strong flavour).
4. Strain the water out of the pot once pasta is tender.
5. Pour the jar of sauce over the steaming pasta.
6. Mix in the mozzarella, it will melt itself into the pasta.
7. Mix in the kalamata olives.
8. Scoop out desired portions onto pretty plates.
9. Garnish with basil and some black pepper.
10. Bon Appetit! Your guests will be impressed!

Let me know how your experience goes. This is a never-fail for me! Try adding in a dark green salad tossed lightly with dressing to the menu- the darker greens make the dish seem more proffesional, in my experience.

Peace, Love and Cuisine!

XOXO

AVC