Manacotti Deep Dish Pie

So this is something I actually made by accident.  Start by boiling your lasagna noodles till AL-dente.
In a large pan cook your diced chicken tenders, diced tomatoes and ground turkey thoroughly using just a TBS of margarine.  Then stir in 1/3 cup of  ricotta cheese and your 8 oz block of low fat cream cheese.  Then season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.  Then in a 9x13 inch pan pour in a small amount of spaghetti sauce then layer your pasta noodles, meat mixture then shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh mozzarella cheese.  Continue layering until pan is full then bake in the oven at 350 for 25 min or until cheese is melted.  Then allow to cool and enjoy!

Stuffed Mushrooms

So here is my recipe for stuffed mushrooms.  I will admit to guesstimating my measurements on the stuffing so add and take away to get a thicker texture like the pictures easy for stuffing.

So start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees and spread butter on the bottom of your pan.

 For the stuffing:(guesstimating the measurements)
 Take one  cup of  bread crumbs and mix in with it a  dash of onion and garlic powder, about aTbs of lemon juice 1/2  cup of milk  around a 1/4 cup of melted butter 1 Cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.  Dice up your Roma tomato and dice up a few slices of fresh mozzarella and mix thi"s into your bread crumb mixture and Walla there is your stuffing.

Take your washed mushroom tops and  stuff them then lay them out in the pan.  Drizzle more mozzarella cheese on top followed by a very light drizzle of olive oil.  Cover and let bake for 30 minutes.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

So here is my recipe for Parmesan crusted chicken.  Super easy but very tasteful.

First you will need to preheat the oven to 350 and spread butter or margarine onto the bottom of a baking sheet.

Take one cup of parmesan 1/2 tsp of yellow mustard powder 1/2 tsp of curry and mix it all together.

Dip your chicken into this mixture making sure the skin is coated

Place chicken on the pan and cover baking for 25 min uncover and bake for an additional 5 min.  (thicker chicken breasts may require longer bake times)

 

Granola Bars

 So I'll be honest I just kinda looked at several recipes for granola bars and got rough ideas on how they are made and decided to take a swing at it with my own twist.  So glad I did they turned out so well.  So I'll encourage you to take this recipe and change it up a little... add raisins, carrots,pistachio  nuts, whatever you want!!   Play around a little.  But here is my own mixture:

 preheat oven to 350  and generously  grease baking pan.

 What you need:
2 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup packed  brown sugar
1 cup granola cereal
1 tsp salt
1tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup of flour
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2  cup chocolate chips
1/2  cup of honey
2 eggs beaten
1/2  cup  vegetable oil
 vanilla icing

 In a large bowl mix all your  dry  ingredients  then stir in your beaten eggs and oil. Lastly stir in your honey mixing thoroughly.

 Place on baking sheet and form into sqare. Bake for 30  minutes  then  allow to cool for 5  minutes and cut into desired bar sizes.  Allow to cool the rest of the way.

 Once cooked in a microwave safe bowl take a spoonful on vanilla icing and heat for 30  seconds  then  use spoon to drizzle over bars cool and serve or wrap individual pieces.

Restaurant Style Meal at home: Lamb steaks with Garlic Asparagus sidedish

So I'm going to do this blog entry a little differently then I do my others.  I feel too often we are tricked into believing we are getting an amazing meal at a restaurant and spending way more money then necessary for a meal that we can make ourselves at home just as good.  Not to mention much cheaper.  So on the menu for tonight I will be showing you how to do Lamb Steaks with Fresh Garlic Asparagus and Garlic toast.  Now keep in mind you could always add a side ceasar salad, and nice bottle of wine to make this dinner experience just as wonderful as if you were going to a restaurant yourself.
So here goes Go to the store and get yourself this:

 When your ready to begin dinner preparations start by turning your broiler on hi while that is preheating take your washed 1 pound bundle of asparagus, wash it and then place in a skillet on hi with 1/4 cup of water and 2 TBS of butter.  Cover and allow to simmer for about 10 min. 

 While your Asparagus is simmering season both sides of your lamb steaks with garlic powder and rosemary

 Next in a Large Skillet over high heat melt 2 Tbs of butter and then saute 1 large onion separated into rings with 1 Tbs of garlic. 

 While that begins to cook take however many slices of wheat bread you would like spread them with a thin layer of butter and sprinkle garlic powder and put in the oven to broil for ONLY 2 minutes!  For hotter ovens check after each minute.  This is how you will want the bread to come out:

 Once your onions and garlic are getting softer you will take this entire skillet mixture and pour it into the asparagus skillet.

 Mix this all up add 1/2 a cup of water and season with Tony's creol seasoning or salt and pepper if you prefer, cover and allow to continue cooking on medium-high heat until asparagus is soft

 While the Asparagus is finishing in the Same skillet you had cooked your onions in  place your lamb steaks and cook for 6 minutes each side.  For thicker steaks you may need to cook it a little longer.  **You want lamb chops to be cooked to around 145 degrees F**

 Once everything is cooked dish up and serve up with a lovely wine paring or even Iced tea.  I just want to show you can have a restaurant quality meal for two for a 1/4 of the price along with the satisfaction that you did this yourself.  In total I spent only about $15 for this meal.  Imagine how much this would be if we went to a restaurant and order this. 

Baked Ziti

This is one of my husband's favorites and one of mine when I'm running behind and need to come up with a quick dinner idea.  I tend to have it all prepped and in the fridge so my husband can just stick it in the oven when I am at work and eat when he is ready.  If your going to do this bump up your oven to 400 and cook for 30 minutes.  This allows the cold not to affect the remainder of the cooking time. 
What you will need:
1 package of Italian sausage
1 TBS minced garlic
1 Roma tomato diced
1/2 of  one onion diced
1 jar of Spaghetti sauce
1 bag of shredded mexican cheese
1 container of Feta cheese

You'll start by boiling your pasta and cooking till Al Dente then drain and set aside.  In  a large skillet take your Italian sausage*cut out of the casing* and cook with garlic, tomato and onion using your spatula to separate the pieces into a more ground beef consistency.  Next pour this into the container with the pasta along with your jar of spaghetti sauce:

 Next in a medium glass baking dish spread out half of your pasta and top with feta cheese crumbles then top that thoroughly with your shredded Mexican cheese.  Repeat this in layers until all the pasta is used.

 Next take two cupcake foiling cups and place them upside down then cover with aluminum foil**this allows the cheese to bake and cook thoroughly without getting stuck to your aluminum foil. 

 Bake in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes and Walla:  Dinner is served!

Sausage Cauliflower Soup

So I want to start this off by saying this soup when cooking does not give off the most amazing smell.  In fact it kind of has an unpleasant odor but don't be fooled it tastes amazing!  But just make sure if your the type of person who won't eat something unless it gives off a mouth watering aroma that you have a window cracked while it's cooking.  

First Take a pack of Italian sausage cut it out of the casing and cook in a skillet with 1 Tbs of minced garlic and One Tbs of butter.  Cook thoroughly.  

 Cut up two large cauliflower's:  They do not have to be cut into small pieces they will end up breaking apart while cooked.  Then in a strainer wash thoroughly.  Next cut up any other vegetables you would like to add(potatoes, carrots, celery)  Pour these into a crock pot you have pre-filled with 12 cups of cold water. 

 Next you will add in 6 chicken bouillon cubes and 4 beef bouillon cubes. 

 Finally add in your cooked sausage, cover and cook on low for 7 hours

 And Walla:  Savory yummy-ness

Italian Sausage Spaghetti

So this is super easy but nice twist on regular spaghetti.  To start you will need:
1 TBS of olive Oil
One package of Italian sausage(your choice of mild-spicy)
Angel hair pasta
One jar of spaghetti sauce
1 Tbs of minced garlic
1 Diced tomato
1 small diced onion
Thin slices of fresh Mozzarella cheese. 

Start by heating your oil in a large skillet.  Take your sausage and slit the casing squeezing out all the actual sausage meat*discard the casing**  Add your garlic tomato and onions and cook thoroughly.  I like to season this with some italian seasoning and a little salt and pepper. 

Next pour in your sauce bring to a boil then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes-stirring occasioanlly. 

Server over your cooked angel hair pasta and garnish with the slices of Mozzarella cheese. 

MM MM good. 

Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti

So these are soooo good!  And I was so happy with the way they turned out! 

First here is a list of ingredients you will need. 

Change Servings

• 1/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  
  1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 
   
  
  
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup toasted almond pieces
    
    
    So now that you have the list of ingredients start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and then on the side Grease and flour a large baking sheet.
    1. In a large bowl mix your melted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract. Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in almonds.
    2.  Divide dough into two pieces. Form into long flat loaves about 1/2 inch tall and 12 inches long. (you wanna make it in the basic width that you will want the biscotti to be. Place the loaves 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
    3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes during this time turn oven down to 325 degrees.
    4. With a serrated knife, cut diagonally into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, Then turn over and back for an additional 10 minutes. Allow to cool for a more solid chocolate coating.  If you want some chocolate dripping down the sides dip this while hot(adding a 1 TBS of Milk in your chocolate chips as you melt it)
    5. Place chocolate chips into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until smooth. Dip your one side of the Biscotti into the chocolate and let stand at room temperature until set. 
    6. Store biscotti at room temperature in an airtight container.
    
    
    
    
    So there it is so easy!  I'm posting my step by step pictures below.   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
     
  
  
   

Stuffed Cabbage

So here is my recipe for stuffed cabbage.  My husband is not a fan of cabbage so I like to make extra filling so that it can be poured on top to allow more to be eaten.  This recipe size is for about 2 people depending on how stuffed you want the cabbage. 
Start by boiling a pot of water.
Then take a small cabbage and separate the leaves.  I like to cut the individual leafs off the cabbage to begin with so It cooks a LOT faster than sticking the entire cabbage in the water to be boiled but also you don't have to worry about tearing the pieces apart when you try to separate the leaves.  Boil this for 5 minutes or longer for bigger portions.  Then drain and let set in cold water.  

 Next in a large skillet take a tablespoon of butter and saute one diced Roma tomato with 3 green onions diced.  Allow to saute for just a few moments then add in one pound of lean ground turkey and cook thoroughly. Then add one cup of cooked rice and 1/3 cup of tomato or spaghetti sauce.  I like to season this with garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning. 

 

Next take your cabbage leaves and fill them with your stuffing and fold them over into each other.  Then lay it out in an un-greased pan. 

Next I pour the left over stuffing on top of this and top it with the remainder of the spaghetti sauce and then bake it in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes.  Then enjoy :-)