FRIED BOW-TIE PASTA SNACK

8-oz bow tie pasta

1/3 cup cornmeal (yellow preferably)
3 tbsp Creole seasoning
Canola oil

Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting the salt.  Drain well and blot dry with paper towels.

In a large bowl combine the cornmeal and seasoning.  Toss pasta, a handful at a time, in the mixture to coat; shake off excess.

In a Dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 2-inches.  Over medium heat, heat the oil to a temperature of 375 degrees.

Fry the pasta in batches 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown; drain on paper towels.

Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

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MAPLE-ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE

A tasty dairy-free side dish.

6  lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cubed (about 6 cups) 

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 tbsp maple syrup

1/3 cup lite coconut milk

1 tsp minced fresh chives 

Heat oven to 350-degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, stirring once, until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.

In batches, in food processor, pulse squash with the maple syrup, remaining oil and coconut milk until smooth and creamy. If necessary, reheat in the same pot over low heat. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the chives.

Yield: 6 servings

file photo and recipe First for women 2023

TOH'S CHICKEN TORTELLINI SOUP

2 cans (14.5-oz each) chicken broth

2 cups water

3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-in cubes

1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

1 pkg (9-oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 celery ribs, thinly sliced

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp pepper

In a large saucepan, bring broth and water toa boil, add chicken. Reduce heat and cook 10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and cook 10 -15 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.

Yield: 8 servings 1 cup each

Per serving: 170 calories, 4g fat (2g sat),37mg chol, 483mg sod, 20g carb, 14g protein Note: this recipe and nutritional figures are from a Taste of Home magazine. 

TOH photo and recipe idea

LEMON TARTLETS

Tart Shells:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg white
1 1/4 cups flour

Filling:

2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbs. butter melted & cooled
2 tsps. lemon zest
3 Tbs. lemon juice
powdered sugar

Preheat over to 325 degrees F. 
Spray 2 mini muffin pans with cooking spray. 

In mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg white; blend well. add flour; mix just until well blended. Divide into 24 pieces and shape into the muffin cups.

For filling, lightly whisk eggs. Whisk in sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice. Mix well. Pour filling evenly into tart shells. 

Bake 20-22 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Remove pan to cooling rack for 5 minutes before removing from the pan to cool completely. Store tightly covered in refrigerator. 

Dust with the powdered sugar before serving.

Yield: 24 tartlets

 

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SKILLET SHRIMP AND ORZO

1 tsp lemon zest

2 large cloves garlic, grated, divided

3 tbsp olive oil, divided

Kosher salt

1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

1 cup orzo

1 can (28-oz) whole peeled tomatoes

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

2-oz feta cheese, crumbled

In a medium bowl, combine lemon zest, half of garlic, 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Add shrimp and toss to coat; let marinate.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat red pepper flakes and remaining garlic and 2 tablespoons oil on medium until sizzling. Stir in wine and simmer 1 minute. Stir in orzo to coat, then the tomatoes and their juices (crushing with your hands) and water. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just barely tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook, covered, until opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and feta.

Yield: 4 servings

recipe and photo Woman's Day 2024

SPECIAL CORN CASSEROLE

1 can (14 3/4-oz) cream-style corn
2 eggs
1/2 cup crushed saltines
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 tbsp chopped celery
1 tsp chopped onion
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 1-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine all ingredients except cheese in a bowl and stir to blend well. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the cheese over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Yield: 4 servings

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QUICK AND EASY NUTELLA MOUSSE CRUNCH

1 jar (13-oz) Nutella or another brand of hazelnut spread

1 carton (8-oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pkg (6.88-oz) bittersweet chocolate-dipped biscotti (or your favorite biscotti)

Being sure to have removed the foil wrap, microwave the Nutella, uncovered, on High for 30 seconds.  Fold the Nutella into the thawed whipped topping in a large bowl; leave some chocolate streaks.  Using a cake decorating piping bag or a plastic bag with a hole cut in the corner, pipe the mixture into 6 individual parfait serving dishes.  Crush some biscotti and sprinkle over the tops for a crunch effect.  Serve the remaining biscotti with the mousse. 

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CREAMY ZUCCHINI CELERY SOUP

3 green onions, sliced thin

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp butter
4 ribs of celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 cups water
3 vegetable bouillon cubes (may substitute chicken bouillon cubes)
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1 lb red potatoes, diced
3 cups milk
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Sour cream for garnish, optional

In a large saucepan melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic to the saucepan and saute until tender. Add the celery and carrots; cook while stirring for about four minutes. Stir in the 2 cups of water, bouillon, salt, and thyme. Add the potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for around 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the milk and add the zucchini. Return the mixture to a boil. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and the 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth. Using a whisk, gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the soup. Return to a boil and cook for two minutes or until slightly thickened.
Garnish each bowl with sour cream before serving, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings.

 

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1980s CHILI-RONI

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp paprika
1 can (28-oz) whole tomatoes, do not drain
1 can (15-oz) kidney beans, do not drain
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce

In a large skillet, cook and stir the beef, onions and bell pepper until beef is browned and crumbly; drain well. Add the remaining ingredients and break up the tomatoes with a fork. Heat mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20-30 minutes until macaroni is tender.

Yield: 6 servings

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PENNE PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

1 tbsp olive or coconut oil

1 small red onion, chopped very fine
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/4 lbs fresh cherry tomatoes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
8-oz whole-wheat penne pasta
4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot add the onion and sauté about 5 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant - about half a minute.

Stir the tomatoes into the saucepan along with the salt and pepper; cook while stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and the sauce is slightly thickened. This will take about 10 minutes.

Transfer the sauce to a bowl and keep warm.

In a large saucepan cook the penne according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and return to the pan.

Add the sauce to the penne along with half the Parmesan cheese and the basil; toss to combine well.

To serve, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

Yield: 4 servings

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