Chick Pea Pasta e Fagioli
Light, quick, vegetarian easy … Spicy Chick Pea Pasta e Fagioli. Use vegetable broth or stock for a true vegan experience or add chicken broth if you prefer this taste.
Portuguese Paella
Just a little something different for my guests. This has something for everyone from chicken to lobster. Never miss a beat sipping on wine and schmoozing … Have all the ingredients prepped. We love scallops and lobster … Clams on a lesser scale. If you’re into clams you can add to the mix easily. Serves a group well.
Cold pasta Salads
From Your Pantry or Garden
Faster than going through the drive-thru you can create a Cold Pasta Salad. If you have pasta (fusilli to shell to wagon wheel and much more works) in your pantry you are more than half-way there. Freely make substitutions to this salad to make it a family favorite. All sorts of room for creativity. I just love these salads year ’round.
Be fearless and give this a try!
Hot Ham and Cheese
Here’s a twist on an old time favorite. Feeds a group easily. Make it your own by adding a few of your favorite condiments. I love this for my guy who’s looking forward to a great lunch after golf. Take this recipe and change it up with small bread slices for that special tea or reception. This actually can be served without the baking. Just a handy recipe to have around.
Enjoy!
Meatloaf Stuffed Potatoes
You either love meatloaf or you hate it. In our family not all are into it. Since it’s one of my favorite comfort foods I’m always trying to disguise meatloaf to make it more palatable for the very few that turn up their noses. This recipe is somewhere between a Shepherd’s Pie and a loaded baked potato. Enjoy this simple variation of meatloaf.
Meatloaf and Knock Offs
Meatloaf may have a bad rep but not in our family. We love a meatloaf! While I’m putting together my next special meatloaf dish you might enjoy these recipes.
Shrimp, Pasta with Baby Spinach
I’m always for quick, easy and delicious! This is my acquaintance Dan’s recipe. Can you imagine, a conversation with me goes to food. HaHa. A perfect lunch or dinner meal when you wanna get out of the kitchen fast on these hot triple digit days. Thanks Dan!
Blue Cheese Burgers
These Burgers are Perfect! Blue Cheese Burgers are our preference for this Fourth! These burgers can be prepared one of two ways … with a creamy blue cheese topping or with the blue cheese mixed right into the ground beef. Both recipes are delicious. The second is a little less time consuming and the first recipe gives a bit more blue cheese taste. You decide. You can’t go wrong!
Pesto Spread
with Italian Grill Cheese
Traditional Basil Pesto used as a sandwich spread. This may go quickly during your Fourth of July Celebration. So, you may want to double the recipe. The garlic taste is pronounced. I have family who say they’re allergic to garlic but really just want a great flavor without tasting garlic. How does that work?! If this is your thought process this recipe isn’t for you. Pesto is versatile. Use this recipe as a pasta sauce for linguini. Mix in a bit of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a great addition to roasted meats. This is a great topping for crostini too. Enjoy my friends!
Linguine and Clams
For Two
You have 12 and one half minutes to prepare dinner and what do you do? You fix this! My foodie partner and I love pasta but no cream please (for him) … or rarely. This rich sauce has the flavor without the heaviness. If your herb garden is not what you’d hoped just add dried herbs instead. Hope you enjoy this rich tasting Clam Sauce as much as we do. As for the wine I’m a Pinot Noir fan and am guilty about pairing with just about everything. Have you noticed you can see through this varietal when you hold up your glass to light, or maybe not? When you can’t it is most likely a blend. Nope, it is my understanding this doesn’t need to be on the label. So depending, this varietal can be a little heavier than expected. We’re having this wine here. Delicious!