Cucumber Salsa

This is a winner! People just eat it up and you can feel good about eating it. :)
4 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
6 roma tomatoes, diced
1 med white onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 can chopped olives
2 cloves garlic, minced (or pressed)
1/2 c white vinegar
juice from line (opt)
1 package dry ranch mix (or 4 tsp homemade mix)

Mix together and enjoy with tortilla chips. ( I recommend "hint of jalapeno" tortilla chips but any are DELICIOUS)

Bowtie Pasta Salad

Ok, just to give this justice, it is holy goodness. Well maybe it is not quite holy...but it's close.

Cook about 1-2 chicken breasts. (I'll use whatever I have. Marinated or salt and peppered. From a rotisserie chicken- whatever as long as it is cooked and yummy. ) Chopped.

I steam up some broccoli and peas - just in the microwave in a bowl with a microwave safe lid and a little bit of water. You could add other things like artichokes might be yummy or sundried tomatoes but I usually just stick with peas and broc) :) I would say equally about 4-6 cups. Also, salt these immediately after cooking you will use less to get them tasting yummy. :)

Cook your pasta in salted water- about a pound. I love bowtie pasta because it is pretty but I will throw it in with spaghetti when I don't have bowtie so whatever is great.

In sauce pan:

1/2 c butter (hence the holy goodness) -allow to melt then add olive oil

1/3 c olive oil

fresh garlic, minced or pressed-cook one minute. This you must watch so that you don't burn the butter or the garlic because they will burn up quickly.

Right at the end add basil. (Fresh is always better right? But I like the dried just as well for the most part so either is great. and sorry I don't have an exact measurement. add a little if you don't like basil much add more if you do. :) The woman that I originally got this from added chopped pistacios right at the end as well. I don't because I don't want to spend the money but it is delicious either way. But what isn't when covered in butter? :)

Oh and of course at the end, I just toss everything together and make sure all the components are warm and toss with sauce and salt if needed and top with grated cheese. :)

Slightly less fattening- I actually don't usually add all the butter I use between 1/4c or a little more. I feel a little guilty eating SO much butter. But either way this dish is devoured and if it's not all gone after dinner the leftovers are highly sought after. ;) My whole family LOVES this dish so I hope you enjoy it too!

Comment and let me know if you have questions.

Parmesan-Crusted Potato Wedges

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese (the shaker kind is what I use but the fresh grated I am sure would be fabulous as well.)

1/4 c flour

1 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp parsley (opt- I add this for color but if you don't have don't miss out! Make it anyway!)

6 medium potatoes, unpeeled

1/2 c olive oil

Combine first six ingredients in zip-lock bag. Cut potatoes lengthwise into eighths. Add potatoes to bag and shake to coat. Coat cookie sheet with olive oil and spread potato wedges out and turn to coat with oil. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes turning after 15 minutes.

Recipe from the awesome Kelli Washburn

Loaded Bake Potato Soup

Saute' 1/2 medium onion in 1 tbsp butter. Set aside.

Cook 6 slices of bacon separately. (I recommend in the microwave on a couple of pieces of paper towel for about 3 -6 minutes)

Cook 1/4 c melted butter and 1/4 c flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and add 2 c half and half (If I don't have half and half you can use 1 cup milk and 1 c cream).

Add the 1/2 lb fresh broccoli, 1 c carrots-julienned, 4 chopped potatoes, bacon and onions from above. Cook over low heat 20-25 minutes.

Add salt and pepper. Can be pureed in a blender but I don't. Return to heat and add 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese.

(adapted from a recipe by chefnini)

Pictures to come...

After I started this blog my computer was having issues so I will try and get some pictures with my posts soon.

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscota

1 lb. ground Italian Sausage

2 Medium potatoes, cut in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/4 inch slices

3/4 c onion, diced

6 slices bacon

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

2 c kale leaves, stemed and cut in half, then sliced (this is about one bunch)

2 tbsp. chicken base

1 qt. water

1/3 c heavy cream

Cook sausage in sauce pan and set aside. In a large stock pot, cook onions and bacon* over medium heat until onions are almost clear. Remove bacon and crumble. Add garlic to the onions and cook an additional minute. Add chicken base, water and potatoes and simmer 15 minutes. Add crumbled bacon sausage, kale, and cream. Simmer 4 minutes and serve.

Enjoy!

*The recipe says to cook the onions and bacon together but I like to just stick it in the microwave and cook it. I put a few pieces of paper towel on a glass plate and put bacon on that, then top with another piece of paper towel. Start with 3 minutes then add a minute until done.