Caprese Pasta Salad and Focaccia

I made the after school kids this caprese pasta salad for their dinner yesterday.  It was almost 85 degrees here so I wanted to make them something cool and refreshing.  I diced lots of fresh mozzarella, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and fresh basil.  I made a balsamic vinegar dressing and tossed it with bowtie pasta.

 And I made rosemary and sea salt focaccia to go with it. The kids had never heard of focaccia before.

 They sure liked it.

 One of the kids pulled The Blog Tech aside and told him he can never thank him enough for feeding them each day.

 He said that knowing he will get a home cooked meal each day is such a relief to him.  He told The Blog Tech that he used to live on soda and chips from the Dollar Store.  Why can't our government help these kids?  When I think of the money being spent on this election yet there is no money to feed our kids?  It's just not right.

Comments

Anonymous said…
just one of the parts that impress me so much about what you do is the fact that where some people might scrimp and save money for bulk cooking by using cheaper ingredients you do not,, you use exactly what you feed your own family,, this alone speaks volumes on your kind caring spirit.
To think we have snow on the ground and you are making cool eating meals is somewhat shocking causing much jealousy might I add lol,,
You're right about the ass-backwards priorities of countries and governments.
Dee said…
So sad - bless you for caring for them and feeding them.
Debby said…
What a blessing you are to those kids. I am still amazed that they eat all your wonderful meals. My grands are terribly picky. Goes to show you that those school kids appreciate your cooking . Hugs to you for being so generous.
Teacats said…
Many blessings to you, your family and your hearth .... it is truly deepest magic (true hospitality is very deep magic indeed!)

.... And yes -- FAR too much money is wasted in politics and business models and thus reminds me of sentiments of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol (1951 - starring Alastair Sims): "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? .... let them hurry up and die and decrease the surplus population!" Sigh. So very wrong!

These frightening words and ideas that are built into politics and business models and influence public policy on so many levels -- and so many lives!
Ian's Girl said…
There are a multitude of programs available for children in these circumstances, both federal and state.
The facility you're bringing the food to is probably funded. In fact, they should be getting breakfast and lunch at school, and some states even send food home for supper and weekends.
Of course at that age, kids are starving all the time, and nothing can take the place of home made food, but in no way should the kids being going hungry for lack of basic meals.

Someone needs to educate their mothers, or investigate why the funds are not utilized.
Susan said…
You not only feed them, but you expand their horizons by making food they might never have access to.
Leanna said…
Someone is clearly not reporting to the proper people to get aid or the people giving aid are not filing the proper documents. There needs to be an inquiry. Children should not go hungry in this country.
Anonymous said…
You are an angel for feeding those kids such amazing food -- you have a good heart. And you're absolutely right about the insanely astronomical amount of money going towards this asinine political campaigning when so many need help.
Leanne said…
Man that brings tears to my eyes.
sandra said…
I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT EITHER. THANK GOD FOR YOU!
Guillaume said…
I love a good pasta and a good focaccia.
I work at a food bank. People get monthly appointments for food and personal items. They can also come in daily for fresh veggies and fruit and donated items if we have them. Many people who have gardens bring in their extra produce during the growing season and we are so grateful to these most generous and thoughtful folks. Most towns in our area have some kind of facility like this but not everybody knows about them. The poor, the elderly, and the ill also often do not have the transportation to get to us. We need to take care of each other and if you know of someone or a family in need, please lend a hand and get information about the services available to them so that no one goes to bed hungry.
TARYTERRE said…
Those sweet sweet kids. Thank goodness for you and what you do to feed them. It is criminal we spend MORE money helping other countries and their impoverished than we do our own.
Alice said…
Our government will spend millions to change twenty dollar bills but children go hungry, veterans go without proper medical care, and families are homeless. SMH.
Tikkun said…
:(

Something definitely not right. But how wonderful you are doing your part in righting it.