Arthicoke and Mushroom Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 1 cup chardonnay or other white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• SAUCE:
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 2-1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chardonnay or other white wine
• ASSEMBLY:
• 9 lasagna noodles
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Nutritional Facts

1 piece equals 383 calories, 18 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 54 mg cholesterol, 751 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 24 g protein.

Directions

1. Cook noodles as package directs.

1.  Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Add artichokes, wine, salt and pepper; cook over medium heat until liquid is evaporated.
2. For sauce, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese and wine.
3. Spread 1 cup sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles, 1-2/3 cups sauce, 1 cup mozzarella and 1-1/3 cups artichoke mixture. Repeat layers twice.
4. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings. 

adapted from www.tasteofhome.com

Rosemary Herbed Pork Chops in an Onion Cream Sauce with Parmesan Roasted Turnips

Rosemary Pork Chops in an Onion Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• pork chops - 4 tender thick cut (I used bone-in pork chops and also a smaller boneless tender cut for myself)
• olive oil- 2 tablespoons
• rosemary - 1.5 tablespoons freshly chopped
• Seasoning - 2 teaspoons of a mix of dried onion, sea salt, garlic, crushed red peppers, orange peel and paprika.)
• mini pearl onions - 1 cup whole unpeeled 
• white wine - 1 cup (1/2 for roasting and 1/2 for sauce) can substitute chicken broth if needed for dietary reasons 
• water - 1/2 cup 
• salt and pepper to taste
• butter - 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

Step 1: Pre-heatoven to 190 Celsius or 375 F.
Step 2: Rub your pork chops with olive oil on both sides. Season pork chops with fresh rosemary, Kick N Chicken Seasoning (or make your own with dried onion, sea salt, garlic, crushed red peppers, orange peel and paprika.)
Step 3: Heat up an oven proof skillet or pan to a medium high heat stove top burner and sear for just a minute or two on both sides of seasoned pork chops.
Step 4: Place your pork chops in a ovenproof pan, add 1/2 cup of wine and unpeeled mini-onions. Bake your pork chops uncovered for about 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F or 160 F if you like well done, depending on how thick your pork chops are. (now I know that our moms have taught us that you need to cook pork until it is lifeless and resembles shoe leather and then just a few minutes more, just to be safe.) However, new guidelines for USDA Pork  is safe at this temperature as long as you leave it rest for about 5 minutes after cooking.
Step 5: Remove your pork chops for the pan and rest covered for 5 minutes. (Do not wash the pan that you cooked the pork chops in) Instead place the pan you cooked your pork chops in over a burner on top of the stove and turn on medium heat. Add wine to deglaze the pan.  Add water. Chop up a few of the caramelized mini onions and add to the wine sauce. Allow the wine sauce to reduce to about 1/2. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the burner and add a tablespoon of butter to finish the shallot wine sauce.
Step 6: Serve pork chops with a drizzle of shallot wine sauce on top. Enjoy!

Roasted Turnips with Parmesan

Ingredients

• 2 pounds turnips (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1/2 ounce)

Directions

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 475 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine turnips, cayenne, nutmeg, and oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss well to coat. Arrange turnips in a single layer and roast until golden on both sides, 25 minutes, flipping halfway through- sprinkle with parmesan and bake 5 more minutes.

Adapted from www.marthastewart.com

Burrito Bowl with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Makes 3-4 burrito bowls

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked rice or quinoa

1/2 cup salsa

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

2-3 roma tomatoes, diced

1 1/2 cups corn (I used frozen corn, thawed)

Romaine lettuce, chopped

Creamy chipotle sauce*

Other additions: onion, green onion, bell pepper, avocado, cheese, cilantro

Directions

Cook rice. (For firmer rice, use 1 cup rice + 1 1/4 cup water.)

While rice is cooking, prep your veggies and make the creamy chipotle sauce.

When rice is cooked, stir in salsa.

Begin layering your bowl: start with rice, then black beans, and vegetables.

Drizzle the creamy chipotle sauce on top and enjoy.

*Creamy Chipotle Sauce:

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1 chipotle in adobo sauce

1/2 tsp. adobo sauce

1-2 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/8 tsp. cumin

Scrape away the seeds from the chipotle with a knife (use caution when handling chipotle, and wash your hands when done.)

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Taste and adjust seasonings/consistency as necessary.

Tips: if the sauce is too thick, thin it out with more lime juice, or olive oil. If it's too thin, add more greek yogurt. If you like a touch of sweetness, add some honey/agave.

Vegetable Medley Bowtie Pasta Salad

Ingredients: 


16 ounces of bowtie pasta
4 cups of broccoli florets
2 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups of frozen corn, thawed
2/3 cup of Goddess salad dressing (mine came from Trader Joes)

Directions:  


Prepare pasta according to directions.  Just before pasta is done add the broccoli and cauliflower to boiling water.  Cook 1 to 2 minutes more.

Drain pasta and vegetables and combine corn in a large bowl.  Toss lightly with the dressing and serve.

Serves:  8

Ranch-Style Eggs

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1 cup of salsa

4 tortillas

1/2 cup of shredded Jack cheese

3 tablespoons of chopped scallions

Directions:  

Preheat oven to 325.

To prepare sunny-side up eggs, heat sprayed non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Carefully add each to skillet.  Add about 2 tablespoons of water.  Cover and cook until egg whites set and yolks are still moist. Remove eggs and keep warm.

Heat salsa in the skillet over medium-high heat until it boils.  Reduce heat to low.

Dip tortillas in sauce to soften and transfer to ovenproof plates.  Spoon one-fourth of the sauce onto each tortilla and top with egg, 2 tablespoons of cheese, and 1 teaspoon of onions.  Place in oven and cook until cheese melts.  

Serves:  4

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
1 pkg of soy beef (or regular beef for the meat-eaters)
1 package low-sodium taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions
Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a frying pan cook soy beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.  Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely.  While soy beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish.  Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed.  Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

Potato and Rosemary Pizza

Potato Rosemary Garlic Pizza

1 pkg of pizza dough (I used the Garlic and Herb dough from Trader Joes)
1 large Yukon Gold potato, very thinly sliced
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, slightly smashed but still intact
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 F. Toss potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Arrange potatoes in one layer on a baking tray. Bake in oven until edges begin to turn golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Increase oven temperature to 475 F.

Lightly brush pizza crust with olive oil. Rub all over with smashed garlic cloves. Lightly sprinkle with salt. Arrange one layer mozzarella cheese over crust. Top with one layer of potatoes. Sprinkle with one tablespoon rosemary leaves over crust. Top with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Bake on pizza stone or on a tray on lowest rack in oven until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly, about 15 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with fresh rosemary leaves and drizzle with more olive oil.

Mac and Cheese Lasagna

Mac and Cheese Lasagna

• 2 (7.5 oz) pkgs. of Kraft Thick and Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 lb. soy beef (or regular beef for the meat-eaters)
• 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

1. Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the package directions. I prepare it using half the amount of butter and use fat free milk to reduce the fat.
2. While the macaroni cooks heat the spaghetti sauce and soy beef and stir to combine.
3. In a 9x 13 or 11 x 7 dish, spread half of the meat mixture to cover the bottom of the pan.  Follow with a layer of half of the macaroni and cheese.  Repeat the layers with the remaining meat mixture and mac and cheese.
4. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the layers and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

Ingredients

• 1 (20-oz.) package refrigerated four-cheese ravioli
• 1 (16-oz.) jar sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce
• 2 tablespoons white wine
• 2 medium-size fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, pour Alfredo sauce into a medium saucepan. Pour wine into sauce jar; cover tightly, and shake well. Stir wine mixture into saucepan. Stir in chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped basil, and cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Toss with pasta, and top evenly with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Jalapeno Popper Quiche

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell, pre-baked
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 jalapenos, diced (seed them is you prefer less heat)
• 1 cup skim milk
• 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

1. Spread the cream cheese over the bottom of the pie crust and sprinkle on the diced jalapenos.
2. Heat the milk and cream over medium heat until just before it boils, about 5 minutes and pour it into a large bowl.
3. Pour the eggs into the heated cream while stirring constantly.
4. Mix in the paprika and salt.
5. Pour the mixture into the pie plate and bake in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, arrange the jalapeno slices on top, sprinkle with cheese and bake until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Cream Cheese Enchiladas

Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

5 ounces cream cheese, softened 

1/4 cup Greek nonfat yogurt

2 cups prepared salsa

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese, divided

1 can of white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper
4 scallions, thinly sliced

8 8-inch flour tortillas

1. Preheat oven 325 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl cream together cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in 1/2 cup salsa. Stir in 1/2 cup of each type of cheese.

3. In a second bowl toss together the beans, corn, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and half of the scallions. Add the bean mixture to the cheese mixture and stir to combine.

4. Spread about 1/2 cup salsa in the bottom of a baking dish. Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling on a tortilla, roll up and put in dish seam side down. Repeat process for remaining tortillas.

5. Pour remaining salsa over enchiladas, spreading to coat all of them. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

6. Transfer to preheated oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with the remaining scallions and serve warm.

Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada Bake

Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

9-10 corn tortillas, halved

1 poblano chile, cut into matchsticks
2 red bell peppers, cut into matchsticks
1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 medium onion, halved and slivered
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 T heat-safe oil like grapeseed or coconut
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and black pepper
2 cups homemade or store bought salsa/pico de gallo
2 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 2 big handfuls)
2 cans of pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups shredded cheese (I used a cheddar-Monterey Jack blend)
sour cream and thinly sliced scallions (green onions) for garnish, if desired

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a large shallow roasting pan or rimmed cookie sheet.

Place poblanos, red bell peppers, cauliflower, onion, and corn kernels onto cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle the cumin and minced garlic over top. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and black pepper, then use your hands to mix everything together. After everything is coated well, spread the vegetables evenly in the pan. Roast for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and begin to brown in spots. Stir or shake the pan every 10 minutes for even roasting.  Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Prepare an 8x8x2 or 9x9x2-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Spread 1/4 cup of salsa into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortilla pieces, to completely cover the salsa. Top with 1/3 of the vegetables, a handful of spinach, 1/3 of the beans and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, salsa, vegetables, spinach, beans and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, salsa, vegetables, beans and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

Let it sit for 5 minutes and cut into squares. Serve with sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced scallions.

Serves 4-5

Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound soyrizo
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32-ounce) container vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 ounces broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the soyrizo, onion, garlic, broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender, 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in mozzarella, basil, and the Parmesan.

Serves 4

Serving size- about 2 cups

Cowboy Casserole

** Looks Gross, Tastes Delicious!

Cowboy Casserole
adapted from a recipe at Taste of Home
1 1/2 pounds soy beef (or regular ground beef for the meat-eaters)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 package of frozen hash brown patties (8 total- I got mine at Trader Joes), thawed

Directions:


In a large skillet cook the onion until tender and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef and cook over medium heat for a few minutes (or until no longer pink. Drain the mixture if using real beef) and place into a large bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the soup, milk and sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Add to hamburger mixture and stir to combine. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Gently mix to combine.

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the hamburger mixture in and then place the hash browns on top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crunchy.

Taco Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (obviously I use soy)
1 packet taco seasoning
2/3 cup water
1 can black beans, drained
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
36 wonton wrappers
your favorite taco toppings - salsa, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, etc
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375.

Brown the meat in a skillet.  Return the meat to the skillet; add the taco seasoning, water and black beans.  Mix and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until water is absorbed.

Spray 18 regular muffin pan cups with cooking spray.  Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup.  Divide half of the taco meat between muffin cups.  Sprinkle half of the cheese over the cupcakes.  Repeat layers - wonton, taco meat and cheese.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.  Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Avocado Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound linguine
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• 2 avocados, pitted and peeled
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ cup olive oil
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or sliced sun-dried tomatoes (optional)

• Directions

  Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  Meanwhile, make the pesto by combining basil, avocados, lemon juice, garlic, and oil in a food processor. Process until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  Toss pasta with pesto. For an extra touch of color and flavor, top pasta with cherry or sun-dried tomatoes. Divide pasta among serving bowls.

Idaho Sunrises

Ingredients:

• 1 large baked potato
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil (or butter if you'd like)
• 2 eggs
• 2 soy sausage patties (or you can use bacon strips or real sausage for you meat-eaters)
• 2 Tbsp. shredded cheese
• 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Lay the baked potato on its side, and use a knife to carefully cut off the top third of the potato.  With a spoon, hollow out the middle of the potato to make a “bowl”, leaving the potato as thick or thin as you’d like.  (Just remember, the more room you leave, the more room for eggs, sausage and cheese!)

Place 1/2 tablespoon of oil in the middle of each bowl.  Then gently break an egg into each bowl, careful not to break the yolk.  Top with sausage, cheese, parsley, and then season with salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, or until the egg whites are set.  Serve immediately.

Very American Cheeseburger Salad

Ingredients:

1 bag Very American Salad Mix 
1C Cherry Tomatoes 
1C Sliced Pickles 
1 packages of Soy Beef 
½ jar TJ’s Organic Ranch Dressing 
½ bag Diced Onion 
Cheddar Cheese, shredded 


Directions:

1) Brown the beef with the onion (and other spices if desired) until it is no longer pink. Drain & sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the meat. 
2) Put the salad in a bowl with the pickles (sliced and diced) and tomatoes. 
3) Add the beef and dressing and toss together. Enjoy! 


Serves:  4


Calories:  463
Fat:  23
Protein:  40
Carbs:  27