Tuesday, September 20, 2011

15 minute garlic zucchini pasta.

photo credit

15 Minute Garlic Zucchini Pasta from Jenn:

1 pound rotini pasta
5 small zucchini, sliced
Olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.

Heat a large skillet. When hot, drizzle olive oil over the pan. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes together briefly, add zucchini. Sauté zucchini with garlic until zucchini is cooked, but still has a little crunch. Toss with pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheese. Serve.

pasta with brie sauce.


Pasta with Brie Sauce from Michelle:
(via Gianina Bunce)

1. Sauté in saucepan:

Olive oil covering bottom of pan
2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
Chopped olives (as many as you like in sauce) I use 1/3 - 1/2 of a small can and freeze the rest
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2. Add:

1 large can crushed tomatoes and stir.
1 tsp. coarse salt
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. white sugar
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Cook for a few minutes on medium heat

3. Add:

1 block of brie cheese (I get a 1 pound wheel at Sam's/Costco and cut it into quarters. I use one quarter per batch (4 oz). Wrap the rest in freezer paper and put in a freezer bag in the freezer. Then they are ready to go for the next time you want to make it. It's much cheaper than buying it at the regular grocery store and then you always have it on hand. Peel the skin off with a vegetable peeler. Break cheese up in to pieces and stir into sauce until it melts. Serve over your favorite pasta.

pasta with bacon and peas.


Pasta with Bacon and Peas from Beckie:
(adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Living)

6-8 slices bacon
2 shallots, halved and sliced
10 0z. frozen peas
1 cup half & half
18 oz. angel hair pasta (or linguine, or thin spaghetti, etc)

Boil pasta in water. In large frying pan, cook bacon over medium heat. Transfer to plate - do not drain pan! Add shallots to pan - season with salt and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes until softened. Add peas and half & half. Simmer until slightly thickened (3-5 minutes).

Cook pasta. Drain and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to combine. Sprinkle with bacon and serve immediately.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Pesto.


Pesto from Shalee:

1 cup chopped parsley
1 T basil leaves
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
2 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (could also use pine nuts if you prefer)

Throw all ingredients in a food processor until ground to a chunky paste like consistency. You can also chop by hand and mix together. I usually double this and use it for two different recipes or as a spread for pan inis.

Noodles with Pesto Sauce

1 recipe pesto (above)
1 (8 oz) package noodles, cooked

Pour pesto over noodles and toss lightly


Pesto Chicken Breasts with Squash

1 recipe pesto (above)
4 small chicken breasts
2 cup chopped zucchini or squash
2 T finely grated parmesan cheese

Cook chicken in 1 Tbsp olive oil for four minutes. Add squash and cook an additional 4-6 minutes or until done. Spread pesto over chicken and sprinkle with cheese. Serve when cheese and pesto are warm.

southwestern pasta skillet.


Southwestern Pasta Skillet from Jocelyn:

1 lb pasta
12 oz ground beef or turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 can corn
1 can ready cut diced tomatoes

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Brown meat and onion in large skillet, drain, stir in chili powder and garlic powder. Cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in corn, undrained tomatoes and cooked pasta. Heat through.

Coconut Poppyseed Bundt Cake.


Coconut Poppyseed Bundt Cake from Brittany:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 small box coconut creme pudding
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 Tbsp poppy seeds

Spray bundt pan very well with baking spray with flour (I use Bakers Joy). Mix eggs and oil. Then add cake mix, pudding and water. Lastly add poppy seeds. Bake for 40 minutes at 350. When slightly cooled, carefully dump pan upside down onto a plate or platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or glaze.



fettucine alfredo.


Fettucine Alfredo from Kelly:

1/2 cup butter
3 oz cream cheese
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup fancy shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 lb fettucine noodles

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Mix in the cream cheese. Stir in the cream and garlic powder. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat and simmer, stirring often, while you cook the pasta. If the sauce needs additional thickening (for example you're serving it as a dipping sauce without pasta) you may sprinkle in flour, 1 teaspoon at a time. Cook and stir for desired consistency.

Cook the fettucine according to package directions; drain. Stir the parmesan cheese into the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Toss the sauce and pasta in a large bowl and serve immediately.

Can add cooked chicken or shrimp.

*The finished sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week.