Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

Recipe from Rachael Ray, My Version

Ingredients:
2-1/2 tablespoons EVOO
3-4 small eggplants, cut lengthwise
4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
Two 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
Salt and pepper
9 lasagna noodles
16 ounce ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and drizzle 1/2tablespoon olive oil on each. Place half of the eggplant slices on each pan, turn to coat with the oil, then arrange in a single layer. Bake until tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat; add the garlic and cook, stirring, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes; bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the noodles, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water.
4. Combine ricotta cheese, with the egg, and 1/4 cup parmesan, season with salt and pepper.
5. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared dish. Lay 3 noodles side by side over the sauce. Layer half of the cheese mixture, half of the eggplant slices and one-third of the mozzarella on top. Spoon 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce over the mozzarella and top with 3 more noodles. Layer with the remaining cheese mixture and eggplant, another third of the mozzarella, 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce and the remaining 3 noodles. Spread the remaining tomato sauce on top.
6. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and 2 tablespoons parmesan on top and bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Update: The leftovers are delicious!!!

Stuffed Pepper Stoup

Recipe by Rachael Ray. Suggested by Nicole S.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef sirloin
Salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice (i omitted)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, cut into bite-size dice
3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-size dice
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
1 cup orzo pasta
12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

Preparation:
Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with the EVOO. When the EVOO is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper and allspice. Brown the meat for 5 minutes then add garlic, onion, peppers and bay leaf and cook for 7-8 minutes, until tender.
Stir in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat. Fold in basil.
Serve in shallow bowls with grated cheese.

Yum!!!

Simple Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
•2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•3 garlic cloves, minced
•2 medium carrots, chopped
•4 fresh thyme sprigs
•1 bay leaf
•2 quarts chicken stock
•8 ounces dried wide egg noodles
•1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
•salt and freshly ground black pepper
•1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (i omitted)

Directions:
Place a soup pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the garlic, carrots, thyme and bay leaf. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes until tender. Fold in the chicken, and continue to simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Tex Mex Tacos

Tex Mex Tacos

Recipe idea from Cooking Light

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound ground turkey or beef

1 cup frozen corn

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 drained canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped

10 (8 inch) flour tortillas

Directions:

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic and turkey or beef. Cook 6 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in corn and the next 6 ingredients (corn thru chili). Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Warm tortillas according to package. Spoon 1/2 cup taco mixture into each tortilla.

Top with your favorite toppings...guacamole, tomatoes, salsa, etc!

Fake Out Thanksgiving Sandwich

From Juliann's Easy Eats Blog

1 rottisserie chicken, sliced
1 jar Heinz chicken gravy
1 small can whole cranberry sauce
2 servings stove top stuffing
2-4 rolls

Slice chicken and heat in saute pan with gravy.
Cook stuffing.
Put warmed chicken on roll.
Then stuffing on top of chicken.
Open cranberry sauce and smear on top of roll.
Enjoy!

Chicken & Avocado Spinach Salad

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil for dressing

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 clove garlic, pressed or chopped

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

1/2 cup basil, chopped

12 oz. baby spinach leaves

1 large ripe avocado, thinly sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Salt and pepper chicken. Grill. Slice into strips and place in a large bowl.

In seperate bowl whisk together salt and pepper, garlic, and vinegar. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Stir in tomatoes and basil. Spoon 1/4 cup of the dressing over chicken and toss to coat. Toss spinach with remaining dressing and divide among other servings. Top evenly with chicken and avocado slices.

Lemon and Herb Pasta Salad

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
1 pound bowtie pasta
Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cups torn arugula (I also added some baby spinach)
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill (I omitted)

Directions:
1) In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2) Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the lemon peel, lemon juice and olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
3) In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, bell pepper, arugula, eggs, parmesan, pine nuts and dill. Add the lemon dressing and toss.

Kickin’ Beef Burger

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
2 cups store-bought coleslaw
3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeno chiles
1/4 cup jarred sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon sauce
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
Salt and pepper
8 slices pepper jack cheese
4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 burger rolls, split
20 chili-flavored kettle-style potato chips


Directions:
1) In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw and jalapeños. In a small bowl, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle chile and adobo sauce.
2) Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. In a bowl, combine the beef, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; shape into 4 patties. Grill the patties for 4 minutes, flip and cook for 4 more minutes, topping with the cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
3) Meanwhile, spread the butter on the rolls and grill until toasted. Spread the tomato-chipotle mixture on the roll tops and bottoms. Top each roll bottom with some red onion, potato chips, a patty, some coleslaw and a roll top.

Chicken Kabobs!

Nothing says summer like kabobs on the grill! One of my favorite meals to make and eat every summer!
These are pretty much a no-brainer, but since they are ssoooo delicious, I'm gonna share!

Ingredients

Skewers

Chicken, cut into cubes

2 peppers, color of your choice

Pineapple, cut into chunks

Onions, are optional. I personally hate onions and omit them from everything.

Your favorite marinade! I used Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian Dressing & Marinade and it was FABULOUS!

Directions

With everything cut into cubes, layer onto your skewers.

Put on cookie sheet and pour on marinade.

Let marinate in fridge for 15 - 30 minutes.

Grill!

My Famous Southwest Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
1 package ground turkey breast
1 rounded tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
sliced monetary jack cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
sliced avocado, tomato, any other toppings you prefer

Directions
Preheat grill.
Combine ground turkey, chili powder, ground cumin, jalapeño, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and mix everything together with your hands. Score the meat with the side of your hand to separate into 4 equal amounts. Form mixture into 4 large patties no more than 1-inch thick. Place on a hot grill and cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until turkey is cooked through. Melt cheese on top.
Combine the sour cream and chopped cilantro, salt and pepper in a small bowl for topping.
Also top with avocado slices, tomato, or anything you like on your burger!