Monday, February 22, 2010

More Italian Favorites

Almost Olive Garden Alfredo
This is probably the "richest" recipe I have. 
You can use skim milk if you desire but can't skimp on anything else

1 1/2 c half and half
2 cubes BUTTER
1 1/2 c shredded parmesan (the real stuff tastes the best)
sprinkle of garlic pepper or garlic salt
1 t dried parsley

Melt butter in saucepan.  Stir in half and half, then parmesan then seasonings.  Stir constantly until it starts to boil over medium heat.  The cheese will completely melt and mixture will start to thicken.


Pesto Spaghetti

1/4 c water
1 T dried basil
1/4 c margarine
1/4 t garlic powder
1 T lemon juice
1 T dried parsley
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained.

Mix water and basil - let sit for 30 minutes.  Heat margarine and garlic until melted.  Remove from heat.  Whisk in basil mixture, lemon juice and parsley.  Toss with noodles and parmesan cheese and serve.

Creamy  Pork Tortellini

1 pkg frozen tortellini (1 lb)
1 pkg alfredo sauce (made according to package directions)
1 pkg frozen broccoli/cauliflower blend, thawed
2 c ham, cubed OR 1 lb sausage, browned
1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c grated mozzarella

Cook tortellini according to package directions and drain.  Combine sauce, veggies and pork.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir in drained tortellini, mix in parmesan and cook for 5 minutes.  Top with mozzarella and allow cheese to melt before serving.

Spinach Cheese Roll-up

1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 bag fresh spinach
2 c shredded mozzarella
Parmesan cheese
1/4 c melted margarine
1/2 t garlic powder

Roll bread dough into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle.  Top with mozzarella then spinach, then sprinkle with Parmesan.  Roll up from one long side.  Place seam side down on a sprayed 10 x 15 pan. Bake at 400 for about 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Mix margarine and garlic powder and brush over roll when it comes out of the oven.  Slice to serve.

You can also make this into a roll-up pizza by placing pizza toppings inside (no sauce) baking, and then serve with pizza sauce for dipping on the side.


Mom's Breadsticks

1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/4 cup margarine or butter
grated parmesan cheese
garlic pepper seasoning

Roll bread into rectangle.  Melt margarine in a 9 x 13 pan in the oven.  Spread margarine evenly in pan and sprinkle with garlic pepper and parmesan.  Cut dough into inch-wide strips.  Slop in butter so both sides are covered and then place in pan.  Sprinkle with more parmesan cheese.  Let rise 30 to 60 minutes and then bake at 375 for about 15 - 20 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Meatloaf - not just the "boring" kind!

All of these recipes except the last one can be cooked in a sprayed crockpot on low for 8 - 10 hours.  Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow it to "crisp" up!
Basic Meatloaf

2 lbs hamburger
1/2 c ketchup
2 raw eggs, beaten
1 c oats or crushed crackers
1 onion, diced (if desired)
1 t salt and pepper

Mix well with hands.  Place in either 2 sprayed loaf pans OR a sprayed 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes (I use a meat thermometer and make sure it tests at "beef-well done" - then I can be sure it is done.


Mexican Meatloaf

2 lbs hamburger
1 c favorite salsa
1/2 pkg taco seasoning mix
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 c finely crushed tortilla chips
2 c shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients well.  Place in a sprayed 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 until meat thermometer tests beef - well done - about 1 hour.


Our Favorite Meatloaf

1 lb pork sausage - we just use breakfast sausage, you can use spicy or Italian if you prefer
1 lb hamburger
2 eggs, beaten
1 sleeve Ritz type crackers, crushed

Mix ingredients together and place in a sprayed 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 375 for one hour or until meat thermometer reads beef well done.


Hide the Veggies Healthy Meatloaf

1/2 lbs hamburger
1 lb ground white turkey meat or ground chicken
2 c shredded zucchini
1 c shredded carrots
1 bag no-fat caesar seasoned croutons, crushed
2 eggs, well beaten
1 c ketchup

Mix together well and place in a sprayed 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 for one hour.


Pizza Meatloaf

1 lb hamburger
1/2 lb sausage
1 small package pepperoni diced
1 can chopped olives
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups pizza or spaghetti sauce, divided
2 beaten eggs
2 c Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Mix meats, olives, eggs, bread crumbs, 1 cup of cheese and 1 cup of sauce together well.  Place in a sprayed 9 x 13 pan.  Bake for one hour at 350.  Remove from oven and top with remaining sauce and cheese.  Put back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.


Tahitian Ham Loaf - a very non-traditional meatloaf

1 lb ground ham
1 lb pork sausage
2/3 c crushed saltine crackers
1/2 c diced onion
1/2 c milk
1 beaten egg
1 T parsley
1/2 t black pepper

Mix together and form into 9 patties that are no larger than a slice of pineapple

1 can sliced pineapple

In a sprayed loaf pan, start with one patty, then a pineapple slice, then a patty, pineapple slice, and repeat ending with a patty.  Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.

Then pour sauce over top:
Sauce: (combine well)
1 c brown sugar
1/4 c pineapple juice
2 T vinegar
1 t yellow mustard

Bake for an additional hour, basting with sauce every 20 minutes.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Trip to the Orient!

Thai Noodle Toss

2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
12 oz spaghetti or linguine noodles
1 pkg coleslaw or broccoli slaw mix
1 c grated carrots
1/4 c soy sauce
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1 c chicken broth
1 T sesame oil
1 T honey
1/2 t garlic powder
1 - 5 drops hot pepper sauce, depending on taste

Cook pasta.  During the last 3 minutes of cooking add carrots and slaw mix.  Drain quickly but do not rinse and return to pan.  In a saucepan, combine final 7 ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring until smooth.  Toss with pasta mixture and chicken. Then serve.  You can top with chopped peanuts if desired.

Wontons

1 lb hamburger
3 T oyster sauce
1 T soy sauce
1 carrot, finely diced
1 onion, finely chopped
1 beaten egg

Mix together and shape into small balls - no more than 1 inch in diameter.  Put in wonton skins and fold according to package directions.  Fry in hot oil (at least 350 - 375 degrees).  Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Egg Rolls

1 package egg roll skins/wraps (found in the produce section of the store by the tofu)
1 lb hamburger, browned
1 T sesame oil
1 small can bamboo shoots, chopped
1 small can water chestnuts, diced
1 head nappa cabbage, shredded OR 1 pkg coleslaw mix
8 - 10 fresh mushrooms, chopped
2 T soy sauce
1 T sugar
1 T salt

In a large frying pan, heat oil and stir fry vegetables until tender.  Stir in hamburger, soy sauce, salt and sugar. With a slotted spoon, place approx 1/4 c of mixture into an egg roll skin and fold according to package directions.  Fry in hot oil until crispy brown.  You can bake these at 375 for about 20 - 25 minutes if you would like the "healthier version".  You can also use shredded chicken instead of hamburger.

Easy Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

3/4 c fat free or regular Catalina salad dressing
1/4 c soy sauce
1/2 t garlic powder
1 T cornstarch

Combine and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly over medium heat.

Egg Drop Soup

3 1/2 c water
1 T chicken soup base
salt and pepper to taste
1 pkg chicken noodle single size cup of soup mix (in a pouch)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c frozen veggies as desired
1 T soy sauce
1/2 t ground ginger

Heat water, soup base, soy sauce, ginger, cup of soup, salt and pepper and veggies to boiling.  Add eggs slowly to boiling mixture, stirring constantly with a fork until eggs form threads.  Boil for 5 more minutes.

Fried Rice

3 c cooked rice
1 green onion, sliced thinly
1/4 t salt
1/2 c bacon or ham
2 eggs, scrambled
3 T soy sauce
1/2 c frozen peas, thawed

Fry meat and onion with salt and pepper.  Stir in scrambled eggs.  Add rice and peas.  Sprinkle with soy sauce and mix together.  Heat until warmed through.

Egg Foo Yung

6 eggs slightly beaten
1 c cooked pork, beef or chicken
1 c bean sprouts (found in produce section)
1/4 c finely chopped green onions

Mix all ingredients and fry in hot oil.  Serve with followin sauce:

Egg Foo Yung Sauce

1 can chicken broth
2 T cornstarch
2 tsp soy sauce

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan.  Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until thickened.

Beef and Broccoli

1 lb beef steaks, cut into 3/4 inch thick strips
1 T sesame oil
1 can tomato soup, undiluted
3 T soy sauce
1 T rice or regular vinegar
1 t garlic powder
3 c fresh or thawed from frozen broccoli flowerettes

Heat oil in skillet on medium high.  Add beef slices and stirfry until browned and juices have evaporated.  Add soup, vinegar, soy sauce and garlic.  Heat to a boil.  Add broccoli and cook until broccoli is tender crisp, stirring often.  Serve over rice.


Easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

4 - 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, undrained
1/2 t ground ginger
1 c bottled teriyaki sauce

Combine in a sprayed slow cooker.  Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours OR high for 4 - 6 hours and serve over rice.