One Pan Baked Ziti

This will revolutionize the way you make pasta.

1 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 lb ground beef (optional)
1 14.5 oz can tomato sauce
Salt to taste
2 tsp dried basil (you can use fresh, but don't add it until the pasta has cooked)
2 cups water
2 1/2 cups penne pasta (any tube pasta will do)
1/4 cup heavy cream (I used 2% milk cuz it was all I had)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Add oil, garlic, and red pepper flake to 10 inch skillet. Cook on medium for 1 minute. Add ground beef and brown. Add tomato sauce, salt, dried basil, water, and DRIED (yes dried) pasta. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook for 12-15 minutes (until pasta is soft), stirring occasionally. Stir in cream, parmesan, and pepper. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Cheesy Macaroni and Homemade Caesar Salad

Another great "throw-together what you have in the fridge/pantry" meal.


3 Cheese Macaroni: (ps, if you can't tell from the ingredients, this is not low-fat)

4-6 oz penne pasta (or you could use actual macaroni)
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup swiss cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese-divided
1/2 cup cheddar--divided
fresh cracked black pepper

Cook pasta according to directions on package.

Preheat oven to broil.

Return pasta to pot and melt butter into pasta. Add cream and stir. Stir in the swiss, half of the parmesan and half of the cheddar. Stir in Pepper. Add to oven-safe pan and top with remaining cheeses. Cook under broiler about 5 minutes or until topping is slightly browned.

Homemade Caesar Salad: (not as difficult as you might think)

salad:
6 large leaves of romaine lettuce
parmesan cheese
garlic crutons
Caesar dressing

Homemade Caesar dressing:
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 large clove garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
splash Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Homemade Garlic Crutons:
2 slices of bread (store-bought, sliced bread works just fine)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large garlic clove
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut bread into cubes-set aside.

Heat oil in small, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and herbs and cook for 1 minute. Add bread cubes and saturate in oil.

Bake for 10 minutes or until dried-up and crisp, tossing occasionally. Let cool.

Assemble salad and enjoy.

What to do with a FREE grill...

We scored a FREE barbecue grill on the side of the road about a week ago (thanks a bunch to our friends Jordon and Annie who spotted it on their way to our house). Don't worry, we didn't steal it; it was sitting on the side of the road with a sign that said "Free. Works great. Needs propane." So we used it for the first time yesterday and made some delicious grilled pork chops.

2-4 boneless sirloin pork chops
salt and pepper to taste

glaze:
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 splashes lemon juice
1 splash cider vinegar
1 splash Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp(ish) fresh tarragon (We have some in our back yard thanks to our earthy upstairs neighbor if you'd like to borrow it; fresh herbs are expensive and hard to find)
grill seasoning to taste

Mix all ingredients for glaze. Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Cook chops on grill and occasionally baste with glaze.

Fresh Summer Pasta Salad

Jordon and Annie wanted me to make a noodle salad to go with the buffalo roast that they cooked us for dinner (which was delicious, ps). I threw together what I had lying around. The lime juice, fresh mint, and veggies made it look and taste summery fresh.

salad:
penne pasta (or pasta of your choice)
yellow sweet bell pepper
cucumber
red onion
fresh mint
parmesan cheese (feta would be better if you have it)

dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp dried basil (if you have fresh, use it and use more!!!)
1 Tbsp grill seasoning
1 Tbsp fresh mint
salt and pepper to taste

cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain and run under cool water.

chop vegetables and set aside.

whisk together all ingredients for dressing except olive oil. Slowly drizzle in oil while whisking the rest of the ingredients.

Mix cooled pasta, vegetables and dressing together. Add parmesan cheese. Refrigerate. The longer it sits the better it will be.

Fun with Thai

I ventured out of my cooking comfort zone today and made a Thai inspired noodle dish. My last few attempts at Asian cooking have gone sour, but I'm pleased to report that with this dish, I have got my Asian mojo back! It's good; so try it!

cooking oil
stir-fry vegetables (fresh or frozen. I used fresh onion and fresh celery and about a cup of a frozen blend with green beans, mushrooms, and broccoli. Use whatever you like and have on hand.)
4-6 oz. thin spaghetti noodles
1 breast of chicken

sauce:*
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp corn starch (this could have been a mistake?)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp red pepper flake
1 large clove garlic

*please note that these and all of my measurements for that matter are estimates, as I do not use measuring cups or spoons while cooking

For sauce, whisk all ingredients together and set aside.

Cook noodles according to direction on package.

Place chicken in plastic bag and pound until about 1/4 inch thick (I use my rolling-pin for this, but you could use the smooth side of a meat mallet). Slice chicken into strips and set aside.

Heat 1-2 Tbsp oil in wok or skillet on medium-high. Add vegetables and stir-fry for about 5 minutes. Remove vegetables and set aside.

Add 1 more Tbsp of oil to pan and cook chicken until slightly browned.

Add vegetables, noodles, and sauce to pan. Stir to combine.

Enjoy.

Chicken Alfredo with Peas

This is really simple. I made it for my husband when he was sick per his request, and I let him eat it on the couch.

2 chicken breasts
grill seasoning (I prefer McCormic's Montreal variety)

4-6 oz dried linguine
2 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

Season chicken and cook on grill (My stove top grill pan works great, but you could also use an outdoor grill or just a regular stove top skillet.)

Meanwhile, cook linguine according to directions on package. Drain and return to pan. Add butter to noodles and melt. Add cream, parmesan cheese, garlic, and pepper and stir. Stir in peas. Slice chicken and serve over noodles.

Slow Cooked Pork Chops

This is the brain child of my husband who said "you should try slow cooking pork chops." They were much more tender than your average pork chops, and a new take on your classic "pork chops and apple sauce."

4 thin cut pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
1 apple, peeled and cubed
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

Add onion and apple to slow cooker. Season pork with salt and pepper and place on top of onion and apple. Mix remaining ingredients in small bowl. Pour over pork. Cook on low for 4 hours. enjoy.