Tag Archives: Pasta
December 28, 2019
Vegan Meals
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We recently committed to a vegan diet for about 2 weeks and have to admit, it was delicious! We had done this once before, but enough time had passed that we wanted to try some different foods and see how we could handle meals without any meat, once again. We both lost weight, our bodies felt great, and we enjoyed creating recipes. It might be surprising, but some types of food you already eat are vegan, like pasta, if you skip the cheese and use a red sauce. If you’re up for the challenge, I recommend starting with a week of vegan eating. If it works out well, try for another week. Baby step your way into it! We don’t plan on going vegan by any means. We love food too much and would miss some of our favorite meals! BUT… we do plan on incorporating more vegan meals into … Continue reading
October 17, 2019
National Pasta Day
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National Pasta Day is today and what better way to celebrate than with homemade pasta! If you haven’t had a cheat day yet this week, I highly recommend it be today 🙂 If you don’t mind putting in a little elbow grease and work, homemade pasta is the way to go. If you’re on a time crunch or just not that interested in cooking, boxed noodles or a heat-and-serve pasta dish is just fine. My preference is homemade pasta. Yes, it can be time consuming, but the flavor is incredible, and it has a great texture! My go-to recipe is for Homemade Egg Noodles. You do need a stand mixer and pasta attachment for this recipe to work. You can also use this recipe with a hand cranked pasta maker, but I have yet to try that method. Start by adding your ingredients to the bowl of the stand mixer. … Continue reading
September 19, 2019
Lasagna 3 Ways
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Do you ever ask your family what they want to for dinner and no one can agree on the perfect meal? That’s a common occurrence at my house too but recently I received a request for lasagna and thought it was a great suggestion…but what kind should I make? Andrew is more of a meat eater so I knew he would want a traditional lasagna, but I would prefer something more veggie based. Luckily, I have the perfect pan for the job, so I was able to accommodate both! ***Disclaimer – if you click on the link to any of the recipes listed in this post you will be directed to the full recipe. The recipes posted are for use in a 9×13 pan. Please reduce the recipe to 1/3 if you are using a similar 3-lasagna pan*** All of the recipes I’m going to share with you are delicious! … Continue reading
September 16, 2019
Lemon Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
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Lemon Orzo with Roasted Vegetables is not your typical pasta salad. It’s packed with texture and flavor yet is very light and refreshing. It works well as a side dish or as a standalone meal. I think it’s best served warm but room temp or chilled is also fine, it’s all about your preference. The vegetables are delicious when roasted because they are slightly caramelized. I like to use bell pepper, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and red onion but you can substitute any veggies you like – eggplant, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, etc. You can really make this your own by using the veggies you crave. You can also top this salad with pine nuts for a little crunch or some crumbled feta cheese. If you choose to skip the cheese, this is a great vegan based dish. Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees and lining a baking sheet (or … Continue reading
September 29, 2018
Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo
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Any meal with pumpkin in it is the definition of fall. Some are skeptical of pumpkin being a pasta sauce and I used to agree with them…until I tried it! Let me tell you, it was delicious! It’s a great mix of unusual flavors that actually complement each other very well. The recipe I would like to share with you today is for Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo. The sauce is creamy and luscious, and a great autumn flavor as opposed to traditional Alfredo. I chose to use cheese ravioli, but you could substitute any flavor of ravioli or even use tortellini in this dish. You could also made homemade ravioli if you have the necessary tools, and time. Otherwise, store-bought ravioli will work just fine. (Not only can I cook but I can also rhyme 🙂 ) The recipe can be found here. Start by boiling a pot of … Continue reading
September 23, 2018
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto Chicken
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Zucchini noodles are all the rage and a low carb way of enjoying pasta. If you have a spiralizer you can easily make your own “zoodles” but if you don’t have a spiralizer you can find pre-spiraled noodles at your local Festival Foods. I think zoodles are a light yet delicious substitution for traditional pasta noodles. They will fill you up but without the heavy, overly-full feeling, if that makes sense. My new favorite recipe is Zucchini Noodles with Pesto Chicken. It’s super easy to make and only takes a few ingredients! The recipe can be found here. Start by marinating the chicken. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag with some pesto, salt, and pepper. Shake to combine and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. I think this is the best method if you are going to grill or sauté the chicken. I prefer to bake the chicken, … Continue reading
August 27, 2018
Labor Day Grilling
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Labor Day Grilling It’s time to fire up the grill for your Labor Day celebration! I plan to spend the day outside enjoying the weather with family and friends. Whatever you plan to do, I hope you enjoy some delicious food and get good use of your grill before cooler weather hits. It’s the perfect day for grilling and a picnic. I have a handful of grilling ideas and side dish suggestions for you to try to have the perfect spread. Let’s start with the meat! Brats – there are so many brat varieties available, you are sure to find something for everyone on your guest list. My favorite is the Chicken Fajita Brat found at the Chef’s Counter of your local Festival Foods. Other varieties available include Philly Cheese Chicken, Octoberfest, Jalapeno Cheddar, Wild Rice, and more! Don’t forget the fresh brat buns from the bakery! Burgers – probably the most popular food to grill. Plus, burgers … Continue reading
August 17, 2018
Scallops Carbonara
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Recently we tried our hand at making pan seared scallops and they were a-m-a-z-i-n-g! So, we thought why not combine them with one of our favorite foods to make – pasta. Scallops are tender and have a fairly delicate flavor that goes really well with the rich ingredients in Carbonara sauce, and that is what we ended up with – a delicious Scallops Carbonara! The recipe can be found here. Andrew and I both love to cook, which really helped with this dish. One of us could work on the pasta while the other focused on the scallops. I made the pasta. To start, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until done. While the pasta is cooking, work on the sauce. Mix together the cream, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, and set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Add the shallots and green onion. Crush … Continue reading
July 4, 2018
Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
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I have a new favorite recipe to share with you. It’s great for summertime because it has fresh veggies and a lighter taste…think pasta primavera. It’s called Zucchini Parmesan Pasta. Start by boiling water to cook the pasta noodles. I went with Rigatoni, but any type of noodle will work. Cook the pasta according to box instructions or al dente. Reserve about ¾ cup of the pasta water before draining. While the pasta is cooking, chop the veggies. I found using small pieces helped the veggies cook faster and made it easier to turn into a sauce further into the recipe. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Make sure you are using a skillet large enough to hold the noodles when it comes time to mix! Add the zucchini, squash, garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the ingredients until the veggies are … Continue reading
May 2, 2018
Cinco de Mayo
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How much Mexican food do I plan to eat this Cinco de Mayo, you ask? That’s nacho business! Break out the margaritas! Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious food and refreshing cocktails. I have a handful of recipes that are full of flavor and easy to throw together for a last-minute party. Here’s what’s on the menu: Chunky Guacamole with Tortilla Chips White Queso Dip with Tortilla Chips Mexican Corn Tostadas Chicken Taquitos Mexican Pasta Salad with Chipotle Lime Dressing Cubano Style Tacos Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Tequila Sunrise Not only are these great recipes for Cinco de Mayo, but they are light and refreshing options for any summer dinner. Plus, you can make them as mild or spicy as you like by adjusting the amount of seasoning you add. First up is Chunky Guacamole. This is … Continue reading
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