If your appliances are avocado, they're not green

M and I are thinking about/hoping to redo our kitchen, which was probably renovated by a sweet but totally un-hip DIYer once in the 60s, once in the 70s, and once in the hideous-vinyl-flooring 80s. We don't have a ton to spend, of course. So. But we got the number of a local contractor-company-couple-thing and they're supposed to be really good (tho a little pricey). They're called New Prairie Construction. What I understand is they're a lesbian couple, they employ local artist-types, and they're green. So hooray.

Anyway, today I googled "Green Kitchens" and the first thing that popped up was a blog by a woman in CA who I wish was my next-door neighbor. Check her out here

And through her site, I found this

I like the recipes page a lot. It's like a little gathering of random recipes by ingredient. Some with pics. I want to make the basil and lemon pasta. My basil needs serious eating. Here's the recipe:

CAPELLINI WITH LEMON AND BASIL
The Savory Way, Deborah Madison

zest of 1 lemon, cut into narrow strips
juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 1/2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
8 fresh basil leaves, finely sliced
2 tsp. finely chopped parsley
3 oz. capellini
salt
freshly ground pepper
freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Put the lemon zest, juice, butter, oil and herbs in a bowl large enough
to hold the cooked pasta comfortably. Also have ready 2 heated pasta
bowls or plates.

Bring several quarts of water to a boil, salt to taste and add the
pasta, and cook until al dente. Lift out the noodles with a pasta scoop
and add them immediately to the large bowl. Repeatedly lift the noodles
with a pair of tongs, mixing them with the other ingredients as you do
so. Divide the pasta between the 2 bowls and add a little pepper.
Serve with cheese, if desired.

Anyway, I'll let you know how the kitchen thing goes. I've contacted New Prairie to get an estimate and some ideas. I'm thinking white cabinets and walls. Old school linoleum floor in green maybe. Some weird composite countertop in a warm brown. Hmm. I'll let you know.