Pasta Salad

 A very simple tasty salad.

 

 

If you have not tried these fresh dried herbs it is well worth the money spent. I use these a lot more than the fresh herbs because of their shelf life.

Recipe

 

1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

 

tortellini 8-ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes

 

1 cup small mini pepperoni

 

chopped 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half

 

1/3 cup fresh basil,

 

, chopped 2/3 cup Ranch Dressing

 

Salt and pepper to taste

 

 

Directions

 

cook the tortellini according to package directions and drain well

add the rest of the ingredients and stir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken n Spinach Bake

 

 

 

 Take cooked and drained frozen spinach and place it in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan

                                                                     

Brown chicken Breasts in olive oil

 Place the browned chicken breasts over the spinach

 

 

Mix up the cream of chicken, sour cream, mayonnaise,  lemon juice and  black pepper in a bowl in a bowl



 

 

 

 Spread it over the chicken and  COVER WITH ALUMINUM FOIL and  bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done . Remove from oven and spread the cheese on top and Bake just until the cheese melts.

I usually serve this with rice.

Recipe

 

1 large frozen package of leaf spinach

 

4-6 chicken breasts

 

1 can cream of chicken soup

 

1/2 cup sour cream

 

1/2 cup mayonnaise

 

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (your preference)

 

2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

1/2 to 1 cup sharp chedder cheese

 

cook the frozen spinach and drain. Place the spinach in the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish. Spread it out evenly. Put about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet and brown the chicken. Place the browned chicken over the spinach. next mix up the soup, sour cream, mayonnaise , lemon juice and black pepper all together. Pour over the entire dish of spinach and chicken. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Remove and add the desired amount of cheese across the top and bake until the cheese is melted

 

*a lower fat version can be made by using lower fat products for the sour cream, cream of chicken and mayonnaise. 

Whats going on?

     Someone stole my tile. uggg. yes. I go outside to finish the glass subway pieces above the tub and they vanished out of sight. I have looked everywhere but we cannot find them and I remember where I put them. So I have to begin again but this time I picked out some marble pieces that match the borders so I hope they arrive this week to make up for doing nothing last weekend
     I am currently experiencing some TMJ and it has been so painful so I cannot eat anything but liquids and this is not fun for someone who loves to cook southern food. I cannot talk so it is very quiet at out house so left brain  is  enjoying some much needed peace and quiet. I am getting out my soup recipes and I have a delicious butternut soup that I am eating which is low fat and really delicious

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced small
1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, then cut into 1 inch cubes
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1  russet potato , cut into 1 inch cubes
4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup skim milk
salt and pepper as needed
1. In a large pot, heat oil to medium-low and add garlic, onions and a pinch of salt, stirring until translucent
2. Add squash, carrots, potato and stock, bring to boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork. Remove from heat and add the coconut milk.
3. I use the hand blender which makes it much simpler but if you do not have one you can put it in small batches in the blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Garnish with parsley

    

Options

Sweet French Bread

 

Sweet Bread

1 package yeast

1 cup warm water

3/4 cup warm Vanilla Rice Milk

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

4 cups bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

 

In a medium bowl dissolve the yeast in the water and rice milk. Let stand for 5 minutes or until yeast is foamy.

Add the powdered sugar and brown sugar to the yeast mixture

combine the flour and salt and slowly add the wet ingredients to the flour and salt mixture and mix it up

Place the dough on dusted wax paper and knead for about 5 minutes.

place on a greased cookie sheet and let it rise until double in size

Preheat the oven to 400 and bake for 45 minutes

check the center for doneness. If it is starting to get too brown lay a piece of foil over the bread during cooking.

 

I always make my bread in this bread machine which makes it so much easier and it comes out perfect every time. This is the one I use My Bread Machine. It has more than already paid for itself.

 

I always put the ingredients in this order in the bread machine

wet ingredients

flour

sugars

salt

make a little dip with a spoon in the center of the flour and pour the package of yeast in it. (you do not want the yeast to touch the liquid). Hit dough cycle. It is super easy this way . My machine lets it rise some in the machine and I am very gentile while removing the bread . I either place it in a loaf pan or cookie sheet and until it doubles in size. 

 

*This is a great bread for milk allergy  or lactose intolerant because it is a soft bread and always turns out great.

*This bread makes the best French Toast that you have ever eaten

 

 

 

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal with Mini Chocolate Chips and Nuts

 

 

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 to 1/3 cup  packed light brown sugar (depends on how much sugar you want)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 cup chopped pecans 

1 cup (125 grams) sliced strawberries (divided)

1/4 cup (58 grams) semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

2 cups milk

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

 

 

Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt .Stir and mix well in  a bowl. add 1/2 cup of the strawberries ,  1/4 cup walnuts in the oatmeal mixture and give it a stir. Pour this in a 8x10 or 8x8 baking pan.  In another bowl mix 2 cups milk, 1 large egg , 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat well with a whisk. Pour this over the oatmeal mixture. Top the oatmeal with the remaining 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped pecans, 1/2 inch sliced banana pieces evenly on top and sprinkle with 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips . Bake 35-40 minutes on 375 degrees.

 

*You can leave out the nuts or use all walnuts or all pecans.

*You can also set your oven to broil and sprinkle a small desired amount of brown sugar on top to give it a nice crisp coating of sugar. This only takes about 30 seconds or less. It burns very easily so watch it and never try to get the pan out of the oven like left brain did and get 3rd degree burns . Always slide out the rack first.