Page 5 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June 2025

5
Herbs

SPICES

pesto!

Basil pesto rotini
pasta hits the spot for
a fresh summer meal
brimming with flavor

By Bobbie Bush
The Special Diabetes
Program for Indians (SDPI)
hosted a delicious and
informative Lunch & Learn on
June 18 in the Chehalis Tribal
Wellness Center.
Community Wellness
Manager Christina Hicks and Cathy Visser creates a delicious Basil Pesto recipe at the June 18 Lunch & Learn in the Wellness Center.
Cathy Visser, MPH, RDN, CD,
welcomed four people to the BASIL PESTO RECIPE
session.
The topic of herbs and spices INGREDIENTS Combine basil, garlic, parmesan, pine
was interesting. Cathy asked the 4 cups fresh basil nuts, lemon juice and a big pinch of
group to name their favorites. salt and pepper in food processor.
The more popular ones were 4 garlic cloves Pulse until combined. With the
cinnamon, garlic, cilantro, 1 cup finely grated processor on, stream in olive oil until
sage and stevia. However, one parmesan cheese mixture comes together. Taste and
participant did not care for ½ cup pine nuts, toasted season with more salt and pepper if
garlic and a couple people 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed needed. This freezes great.
did not like cilantro or stevia. lemon juice
Cinnamon was a universal Salt and pepper to taste * Add pasta and chicken for a
favorite. ½ cup to ¾ cup olive oil delicious meal.
A particularly beloved dish at
the Chehalis Tribe’s community
dinners is the frozen mixed
berries flavored with cinnamon
that Trudy Marcellay often
brings.
For the Lunch & Learn
meal, Cathy opted to use Barilla
protein rotini that she cooked
and flavored with delicious
basil, olive oil, garlic, lemon
juice and zest, pine nuts and
parmesan cheese. She added Seeking cooks and teachers
boiled chicken to provide a
healthy amount of protein. It
was yummy. The pasta was ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS: If you would like to
tender and delicious. prepare and serve lunch at Heritage & Culture classes
An informative talk covered
alternative snacks, such as fresh or teach a quarterly class or instruct at our Chehalis
fruit and popped popcorn. Tribal Culture Camp in August, send your name, address,
This led to a discussion about phone number and what you would like to teach or cook!
creating your own garden to
grow crisp, fresh vegetables. Email Community & Culture Director Cheryle Starr at
In August, the Lunch
& Learn topic might be cstarr@chehalistribe.org or Heritage & Culture Coordinator
metabolism and how choices Trudy Marcellay at tmarcellay@chehalistribe.org
of food affect our bodies, blood
sugar and energy levels.