Nutty Eggplant Pasta

When I first tasted this dish, I closed my eyes and pictured myself in the snowy mountains, warm and cozy by a fire in a cabin.  The cinnamon and cocoa add an amazing aroma, adding the walnuts to this delicious combo of seasonings bring it to an Earthy and natural flavor.  The eggplant gives it a slight kick, while the ricotta and romano keeps this dish a mild, yet savory essence.

Begin with boiling water to cook desired pasta style for this dish. 

3 white eggplant cut into large pieces
3 purple eggplant (hanzel and gretel)
1 large onion chopped

Spread over bottom of large deep baking dish.  Sprinkle cinnamon and cocoa over the top of veggies.  Drizzle with olive oil.

Bake 425 about 15 min.

While roasting do the following:

2 cups raw walnuts (chop large pieces).  Sprinkle over veggies and continue to bake another 10 min. 

In a large bowl mix together:

A handful of fresh italian parsley (chop)
1 cup grated pecorino romano
1 tub of whole milk ricotta cheese

Add this mixture to the cooked pasta.  By now the eggplant mixture should be roasted.  Add eggplant to pasta and cheese. 

Mix and Match Squash with Rice

1 onion chopped
1/4 c. butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup rice
2 tsp salt
2 yellow squash sliced
2 zucchini sliced
2 TBSP Lemon juice
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 TBSP chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups water


You can add chicken as well!!!

In a large high edge skillet cook onion in 2 TBSP butter.  Add the water and chicken broth to skillet then rice and 1 tsp salt.  Bring to boil.  Cover and cook over low heat until liquid is absorbed.  About 25 min.  Add squash and zucchini, bell peppers and remaining 1 tsp salt.  Cook until squash is tender.  About 5 min.  Add remaining butter and lemon juice.  Stir.  Sprinkle with parsley.  Serves 4-6.   

Side note.  The lemon really changes the flavor of this meal.  So be prepared.  The first bite is different but then you'll go... Mmmmmm that was so good! Have NOT tried this with brown rice.  I would use white rice until I have tried it with brown.  I KNOW it's good with white. :D

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli - Crock Pot

8 boneless skinless chicken thigh
1 can cream of mushroom soup (**optional)
1 can cream of celery soup (optional)
**(if not using soup add 1 cup heavy cream and 2 cups chicken broth with mushrooms and 3 celery stocks cut into pieces)
2+ cups cheddar cheese
3 cloves garlic
2 tsp Parsley
3 cups cut broccoli (2 big heads of broccoli)
1 red onion chopped
1-2 pkg crimini mushrooms (or regular)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cups brown rice (cooked and set aside)

Crock Pot on LOW (high for bigger pieces of chicken)

~add onion, mushrooms, soups, garlic, parsley and chicken. Salt and pepper top of chicken.

~ Cook for about 4 hours then ADD BROCCOLI. Cook until broccoli is tender.
~Add shredded cheddar cheese 15 min before serving.

~Cook rice and put the chicken cheddar broccoli on top.

Egg Salad

- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 1 tbs organic mayonnaise
- Dash of curry, sea salt and pepper
- 1/2 tbs chopped red onions
- 4 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tbs chopped cucumber
Instructions:
1. Mash up your eggs with the mayonnaise to your desired consistency.
2. Add the curry, salt and pepper and mix.
3. Stir in the onions and cucumbers.
4. Gently stir the tomatoes into the mix.
5. Enjoy your egg salad on a bed of lettuce

(2) Alfredo Sauces

#1

Now I know there are way more healthy versions of this, but this is the one I use right now until I get the recipe from a friend of mine.  If "healthy" isn't what you are concerned about then go for this one.


Melt in a pot:


4 TBSP butter
ADD:
4 TBSP Flour
WHISK WELL


ADD:
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp oregano or fresh basil chopped
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)


Now this covers about 3 adults food, I double mine to feed my family of 8.


#2 White Wine Alfredo Sauce

~Carton of heavy whipping cream
~White wine
~Garlic
~Extra Virgin Olive Oil
~1 cup Finely Grated Parmesan cheese
~salt & pepper

On Med heat in a large skillet add about 2 cloves of garlic, minced and about 2 pinches of salt and pepper with the olive oil until lightly browned. Careful not to burn. Then add the white wine (Add about enough to cover the bottom of the skillet) Quickly add the heavy cream and the cheese, stir occasionally so it doesn't burn.

(2) Amazing Fruit Dips

#1

2 TBSP real lemon juice
3 8oz yogurt (cherry, vanilla, cherry vanilla is best if you can find it)
1 large pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (or cheesecake)
8oz whipped topping (whip up yourself, much healthier) Whipping cream and sugar to desired sweetness

Mix all together


#2

2-3 blocks Philadelphia cream cheese (generic's are gross)
1 small lemon juiced
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1 jar march mallow creme
homemade whipped cream equivalent to a small container of cool whip

combine all together and enjoy!!

Easy Spanish Rice - with BROWN rice

Serves 6-8 adults.

2 cups uncooked rice -brown/white
(I used Trader Joes Brown Rice Medley and it was FABULOUS!!!)
1 chopped onion
4 TBSP olive oil
5 cups water
2 cloves garlic
1 8oz can tomato sauce (or small can of tomato paste)
1 chopped green bell pepper (or 1/2 cup freeze fried bell pepper mix)
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 lb. ground beef COOKED
cheddar cheese (of course this is a Basham recipe ;P)

Cook rice and onion in oil in a large high-side skillet over medium heat about 3 minutes.  Stirring occasionally until rice is golden brown.

Stir in remaining ingredients (NOT the cheddar cheese) Heat to boiling, reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for about 45 minutes stirring occasionally until rice is tender! That's all she wrote folks! Serve and top with cheddar cheese!!!

Cheesy Egg Bake

 

16 eggs
2-3 cans chilies
2 pounds shredded cheese (Mexican blend is amazing, or cheddar)
1 can evaporated milk

1 tsp melted butter
2 TBSP flour

Mix eggs, chilies, cheese and evaporated milk.
Melt butter in a 11x14" dish.
Tilt to coat bottom of dish.Sprinkle with flour.
Pour in egg mixture.
Bake 350 for 1 hour.

Additional fixings:  diced tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, bacon, ham, sausage, fresh baby spinach,  Parmesan cheese.  Serve with fruit on the side and some good for you toast :D

Feeds 8+ people

No Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/6 tsp salt
3 TBSP Cocoa
1/4 cup peanut butter (optional)

Combine all above  ingredients in tall pot.  Bring to a boil on MEDIUM HIGH heat, stirring.  Once boiling turn down heat to MEDIUM LOW (#3) and continue to boil for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add:

3 cups quick oats
1 cup coconut (optional, if not using coconut add another 1 cup oats)

Stir well... add:
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix.

Drop onto wax paper and allow to set.  I like to use the small or medium scoop from Pampered Chef.

Garden Bake

2 zucchini diced
2 yellow squash diced large pieces
1 onion chopped (I love red onions)
3 small tomatoes diced
2 large carrots chopped small
1 pkg Cremini mushrooms

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
6 eggs
3 cups milk
2 1/2 cups Bisquick (Trader Joe's Multi-Grain baking/pancake mix)
3/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400

Rub olive oil on a large 11x14 dish and add chopped squash/zucchini, onion, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.

In a separate bowl combine eggs, milk, Bisquick, pepper and salt.  Blend for 15 seconds.  Pour over top of veggies.


Bake for 45 min or golden on top AND knife inserted in center comes out clean.  (this is like a quiche so if there is a little sticky on the knife it is okay.
Cool about 5 minutes before serving.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top.

Pork Chops Marsala with Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus

6 to 8 organic boneless pork loin chops
Salt
Pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
3 garlic gloves minced
Olive Oil
REAL butter
1 package sliced cremini mushrooms (came in a sealed package)
1/2 white onion, chopped (could use a shallot too if preferred)
One bunch of asparagus
3 large sweet potatoes and 1 large yam
4 slices Prosciutto (meat section... yes, I didn't have a clue what this was, I thought it was cheese)
1/2 organic chicken broth
1/3 cup Marsala wine


Directions:
1.Sprinkle salt and pepper on pork chops.
2.Peel and cut potatoes into 2 inch chunks. Boil accordingly to make mashed potatoes.
3.Heat large skillet with about 2 tsp olive oil and brown chops evenly on both sides with center slightly pink. About six minutes turning over once. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4.Heat about 1 tsp olive oil to the same skillet. Add onions, mushrooms and thyme. Cook until mushrooms are brown and onions are soft. About 5 minutes.
5.While onion and mushroom mix is cooking add chopped Prosciutto and butter to a separate skillet. Cook about 2 minutes and add asparagus and garlic. Cook to your own preference.
6.Add broth and wine to mushroom mix and simmer on low about 5 minutes.
7.Drain potatoes and mash with 1 tbs butter, a bit of heavy whipping cream ( or milk) and salt.
8.Pour sauce over pork chops and serve with asparagus and sweet potato mix