Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a hearty appetizer for any occasion. Bake them in tart pans for Bitty Bites. Bake them in a regular muffin tin for a big guy appertizer or a light meal. Serve them for a prom after-party, an informal wedding reception, a couples potluck, the Big Game Food Table. I’ve mentioned before that we like hearty appetizers for a light meal that is different and out of the ordinary for us. It takes 20 minutes to prepare the big macaroni muffins. If you do the prep as directed and multi task while the water is coming to a boil and the pasta is cooking, you’ll feel less hurried during assembly. I used a small ladle to fill each muffin cup to the top. The recipe makes exactly 12. Serve hot. Garnish with fresh ground pepper and chopped parsley. If you ... [Read More]
pasta
Easy Ravioli and Sausage Lasagna
Cheesy, flavorful Baked Ravioli and Sausage Lasagna is busy day casserole that is deliciously filling. It tastes like you spent hours, layering and cooking – but you don’t. In fact, this recipe is almost stress free! It doesn’t come out in beautiful layers and is not particularly photogenic (as you can tell!). But that doesn’t matter because the littles and the bigs at your house will love it!!! It tastes great and hugs with full tummies are a winner every time. Use frozen ingredients and this will go together in a flash, ready to bake in about 5 minutes. Even the onions are chopped and frozen ahead of time. You can do this yourself, but I keep a package of frozen onions in the freezer for quick meals. The sausage crumbles were a first for me – great addition! They were ... [Read More]
Ham and Orzo Salad
Oh yes, I am still a mustard wimp. And yes, Ham and Orzo Salad has a mustard dressing. Buuuuut it’s mellow and just right, after the salad sits for half an hour or so -so results are worth it! Of course, if you are a mustard aficiando you can always add a squirt or two extra mustard to your serving :-) I just met orzo pasta last winter – sheltered life, I know – and I loved it in Chicken and Orzo Skillet. When I was looking for a recipe to use the ham I had in the refrigerator, the orzo won out over the mustard. I am so glad!! Cook the orzo according to package directions. It should be firm, but not crunchy, when you bite it (al dente). Generally that takes about 11 minutes after the water returns to boil. I did not have red onion so I used the Vidalia onion I had on hand. ... [Read More]
Skillet Lasagna Mexicana
Skillet Lasagna Mexicana is so easy it almost makes itself. Well, not quite. But it is an all-ages approved dinner that goes from pantry to table in just about half an hour. Made from ingredients that are likely already in your pantry and refrigerator, it works wonderfully well on those days you walk in the door with a million things on your mind. Swoop the ingredients off the shelf, brown the meat and simmer in sauce, cook the pasta, add cheese – and there is one less things to worry about. A quick and delicious dinner is on the table. You'll have time to finish the rest of the list. Or free to play with the kids or even sit down and relax. Whatever fits :-) I keep browned ground beef in the freezer in bags of 2 cups each – about a pound of fresh meat. If I throw a package in ... [Read More]
Chicken and Orzo Skillet
Orzo and Chicken Skillet is a quick fix with full flavor. Tender chicken with a whisper of garlic, delicate orzo cooked in broth with healthy zucchini and tomatoes. On the table in about 30 minutes. All you need is a hearty salad to make it a full meal. Maybe a hard roll or a slice of garlic bread, for the bigger appetites. This can be prepped ahead of time. Be sure to choose smaller chicken breasts – about the size of a deck of cards -- so they cook evenly. Dice the zucchini and bag it in a sandwich or quart bag with the Italian seasoning. Place four chicken breasts and minced garlic in a large zip bag, add the bag of zucchini and freeze. Pull a can of chicken broth and a can of tomato soup, mark them for “Chicken Skillet” Measure the orzo into a small bag and tape it to one ... [Read More]
Aloha Pineapple and Ham Pasta Salad
Pineapple and Ham – an unexpected twist to pasta salad. The pineapple makes a great addition without shouting, “hey, there’s pineapple in this dish”. It plays together very nicely with all the other ingredients. Using aloha in the name bows to the idea of playing nicely with others. Mainlanders think of aloha as meaning “hello” and “goodbye” -- and it does serve as a greeting. However, “aloha” also encompasses love, mercy, compassion and the joyful sharing of a positive attitude. Kind of like this pasta salad, it’s more than it appears. This is also a versatile recipe. The original calls for red pepper which is certainly a colorful addition. However, you can substitute any sweet pepper you have available. Or use cubed chicken instead of diced ham. You can also add a half ... [Read More]
