Tuscan Bean Spread

1 can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained       

1-2 cloves of roasted garlic
1 big handful of fresh basil
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Red pepper flakes to taste

Smash the beans and mix all together. Or run it through a blender or food processor. Get a nice think paste them add good quality extra virgin olive oil to thin down to a consistency you like.

This is great on veggies, crostini, bruschetta, pita chips, etc. Top with diced tomato, roasted red pepper, sundried tomato and anchovy, etc....

You can use other flavor profiles to make any bean spread you desire.

Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta with Vegetables

Spring weather is here and I was in the mood for something

light and healthy. I saw some good asparagus in the store and my imagination took flight. Luckily, the hubster enjoyed the meal too.

Chop 1 small onion and 2 large cloves of garlic. Saute them in at least 4 tbs of olive oil till soft and fragrant. 

Add 2 tbs flour to make a roux. Add lots of pepper.

Put in some good citrusy white wine, like Sauv Blanc.

Stir till thickened. Add whole milk till you get a velvety sauce.

Add the zest and Juice of 1 large lemon. Stir.

Now add your 1" pieces of spring asparagus and red pepper strips. Let cook in sauce on low till the colors are vibrant.

Serve over hot pasta and sprinkle with plenty of chopped basil and parmesan.

I threw in some heirloom cherry tomatoes as well. Then I had to add some rotisserie chicken because Mark needs meat in everything. It was yummy and spring like- so enjoy it any way you want.

Great additions would be baby shrimp, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts...anything you like.

It could also be a great side dish for salmon, other fish or roasted chicken. 

Turkey Florentine Stuffed Shells

Prepare your shells al dente to prevent tearing and allow them plenty of cooling
time so you don't burn your hands.

Saute fine chopped onion and garlic. Add chopped mushrooms. Add and
brown ground turkey. Add your fresh baby spinach near the end of cooking
to wilt it into the mixture. Finish off with oregano and parsley. Mix it all
together with ricotta and parmesan.

Cool this mixture. Don't rush and burn your hands. (do you get the idea
that I was not patient?) Stuff your shells with your yummy mixture.

Mix tomato sauce with diced tomatoes. Stir in plenty of fresh chopped basil. Dollop
out 1/2 on the bottom of your pan to keep the shells from sticking. Arrange your
shells, then top with the rest of your tomato mix and some grated parmesan.

Bake for 30 min until bubbly. Serve with a nice Pinot Gris. :)

Teriyaki Chicken

Something quick and simple over good rice, can be an exquisite dinner.
I made this mouth watering delight with a few items on hand.

I marinated chicken breasts in a store bought teriyaki sauce with
green onions and sesame seeds.

I coarsely chopped pineapple, red pepper and sweet onion.
I sauteed it all quickly ans served over Lime Basil Rice with
more fresh green onion and sesame seeds.

Lime Basil Rice

Cook rice in vegetable broth. When done stir in lime zest, the juice of 1/2 a lime,
and about 2 tbs of minced basil (the thai basil is excellent) with a drizzle of olive oil.

The best greens ever!

I am not usually too fond of greens. They are bitter and I just can't seem to cook them right, but I found a recipe for baby greens with a short cooking time, and I spiced it up! Honestly, these are the
best greens I've ever eaten and I will always make them this way.

I started with a jar of sun dried tomatoes in oil. I drained them, but left them good and oily for sauteing. I diced 1/2 of a large vidalia onion. and I minced about 4 cloves of garlic. I sauteed this until the onions and garlic were soft.

Then I added about a tablespoon of anchovy paste and stirred it all up, put my mix of kale and chard in with a good zest of nutmeg. I stirred it up and added about 2 cups of veggie broth. I covered it
and cooked it over medium heat for about 25 min, stirring occasionally.

I added about a tablespoon of honey and some chunky fresh roma tomatoes and let it cook another
5 minutes until everything was well blended and the fresh tomatoes just started to break down.

O My Gosh! You seriously have to try this! You will love it!!
I did use organics as much as I could, but I don't think it'a a must for the recipe- ;)

Hawaiian Meatballs

                                                                                                       

Still trying to eat less fat and of course,
wanting big  flavor and also needing to
feed the hubster meat at every meal.

I got to thinking about low fat meats
and thought of lamb, and what better
thing to make with lamb than meatballs,
so off my imagination went. I also
thought of pineapple because I am
always thinking of things to knock back
inflammation, so naturally, I thought of
Hawaii and thought I'd try some Hawaiian Meatballs.

I actually got lamb and veal to mix together, but these would be just as good with any meat; pork, turkey, chicken.....

Mix the meat together with minced garlic, ginger, basil, onion, red peppers and a
couple serranos. Add some bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs), then add some teriyaki
marinade. You want it pretty sticky if your are not using any other binder. Roll out
your balls and cook any way you want to. I sauteed them till almost done, then
removed them from the pan. I added some big chunks of sweet onion, red pepper
and pineapple to the pan and browned them up. Then I de-glazed the pan with
pineapple juice and some more teriyaki marinade to make a nice think sauce.
I put my meatballs back in to coat. Served this over
brown rice and a side of roasted beets.

After surgery tortellini

You know that you can find all kinds of fresh pasta in the grocery stores now, right?

What better way to make a quick and easy, healthy meal?

I had surgery the other day and now that I have graduated from soup, I wanted something

more, and a little comforting….like pasta. But I have to watch my diet somewhat, so

what was I to do. I was surprised when I found some great spinach and goat cheese stuffed tortellini in my local store. Wow!! How great is that? Easy dinner half planned.

I roasted up colorful cherry tomatoes with some minced garlic, basil, oregano and pepper.

I chunked up some rotisserie chicken (another great invention, super time saving and cheaper than I can make it). Tossed it all together with my freshly boiled tortellini.

Fresh pastas take all of 3-5 minutes to prepare. Sprinkle a little parm on top and your good to go. Add a side salad, even better! Don’t forget to get creative with your salads.

Add beans or fruit to keep it interesting. A quick vinaigrette can’t be beat: 1 part vinegar of your choice, 2 parts good oil, a squeeze of dijon, s&p…mmmm, mmmm.

                           

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