Pasta, Pasta!

Right now we have a huge bag of spaghetti and not much else. The end of the month couldn't come quickly enough (that's when our budget starts over, you see). I figure we always have at least one of the following combinations on hand, so I made a list of ways to easily make a dinner out of pasta. Heat up a can of vegetables for the side and you're set!

Things to add to two servings of cooked pasta:

*Note: Pasta headings are the kinds that work best with that recipe, but are not required for a tasty dinner.

Spaghetti, Linguine
1 T butter
1/4 C parmesan cheese
1/2 C frozen peas, prepared
1/2 C ham, cubed
s & p


Penne
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 T basil pesto
2 chicken breasts, poached and shredded
s & p


Any
Basic Crockpot Recipe

Shells
1/2 C heavy cream
1 C cooked broccoli
1/4 C parmesan cheese
s & p


Shells, Macaroni
2 T butter, melted in a saucepan on low
stir in enough flour to make a roux
add 1 1/2 C milk
then 1 C cheddar cheese, shredded
sprinkle with paprika and s & p


Any
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 sticks of string cheese, chopped
3 basil leaves, shredded very small (or 1 T pesto)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T olive oil
s & p
(serve cold)

Vegetable Lasagna

The infamous Christmas recipe, aka the one I always request when home for Christmas vacation. Courtesy of Janny and Mom.

1 - 8 oz. package lasagna noodles
2 - 10 oz. pkgs. frozen chopped spinach
2 c. fresh sliced mushrooms
1 c. grated carrot
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 T. oil
2 - 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 1/2 t. oregano
2 c. cottage cheese, drained
1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, grated

Cook noodles in boiling unsalted water for 8 - 10 minutes or until barely tender.  Drain and set aside.  Cook spinack according to package directions and DRAIN WELL.

In a saucepan, cook mushrooms, carrot, and onion in oil until tender.  Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and oregano.  Simmer a few minutes.

In greased 9X13 pan, layer half the noodles, cottage cheese, spinach, Jack cheese, and sauce mixture.  Repeat the layers reserving 1/2 cup of cheese for the top.  Sprinkle with Parmesan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Freezes well.

Focaccia Bread

This recipe comes from my favorite blog: martawrites.com. No, I have not tried it (yet), but the picture looked too divine to pass up. So here it is. Copied word for word from Marta Dansie.

Focaccia Bread
2 hours, start to finish

2 cups warm water
1 pkg. active dry yeast (not instant)
1 Tbs. sugar
4 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
1-2 Tbs. Italian seasonings

Toppings.
1/2 cup butter, melted
garlic salt
Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions.
1. In small bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.

2. Blend together remaining 1 1/2 cup warm water, dissolved yeast, sugar, flour and salt in mixer bowl. Combine well. Mix in Italian seasonings. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise to double or more (about an hour).

3. Grease a 9x13 pan. Scoop dough into prepared pan, dough will be very sticky. You'll be tempted, but don't add any extra flour. Butter your clean hands and coax the dough into all the edges of the pan.

4. Let dough rise again for 20 minutes, meanwhile preheat oven to 400. Before baking, poke indents in the focaccia with your fingers. Drizzle melted butter over the top of the bread. Sprinkle some garlic salt over the top and add a couple handfuls of Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake 20 minutes. After cooling for ten minutes, turn focaccia out on cutting board and slice into thick breadsticks. Pile them into a bread basket and serve to hungry guests.

enjoy.