Eggplant Parm

There is something about Eggplant Parmesan, when it's made well (not stringy or bitter or full of skin that makes you choke) that is so comforting and delicious! Even though I don't make it all too often, it is definitely one of my favorite foods. Hopefully, your families will love it as well!

You Will Need:

1 Large Eggplant

Lots of Salt

About 2 Cups Italian Dressing

About 2 Cups Seasoned Bread Crumbs

About 2 Cups Marinara Sauce

1 Pound Fresh Mozzarella

Grated Parmesan and Romano Cheese

Directions:

- Peel the eggplant.
- Slice into thin slices (about 1/4" thick)
- Arrange a layer on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cover with a lot of salt.
- Add another layer of paper towels.
- Put another layer of eggplant and salt.
- Keep repeating the layers until you have used all of the eggplant.
- Make sure there is salt and a layer of paper towels on top as well.

- Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours (at least).



- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Put two bowls on the counter or work space. Put Italian dressing in one, and breadcrumbs in the other.
- Take the eggplant out of the fridge. The paper towels will be all soaked. (That is the bitterness coming out, so your food tastes good.)
- Rinse the eggplant in cold water, then put on more paper towels to dry while you work.

- Coat the eggplant first in the dressing, then in the breadcrumbs.

- Place on a baking sheet in a single layer.

- Bake for 38 minutes.

- Cover in sauce, then slice on fresh mozzarella and shake the grated cheese on top.

- Bake for 10 more minutes.

- Serve with spaghetti, or any pasta (use the same sauce for the pasta).

- Enjoy!! <3

Quick and Easy Lasagna

I know that most people hate the no-boil lasagna noodles. But I have found out that if you cook them long enough, they are quite good, and you cannot tell the difference. While homemade lasagna noodles are wonderful, this is by far my favorite recipe. Try it and you'll see!

You Will Need:

1 Box Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles (the crimped looking ones, not the straight ones)

2 Quarts Sauce (homemade meat sauce with a lot of carrots and zucchini in it is the best, but if you must do store-bought, use 1 with chunky vegetables and 1 with meat, combined. Add some water to thin it out as well. It wont be as good as homemade, but it should work.)

3/4 Pound of Lean Ground Beef

1/2 Pound Sweet Italian Sausage, Ground or Sliced, Cooked

1 Pound Part Skim Ricotta Cheese

2 Eggs

1 (6 oz.) Bag Organic Shredded Mozzarella

Grated or Fresh Parmesan

3 Cloves Garlic, minced

Garlic Salt

Oregano

Directions:


Brown the ground beef.
Drain.
Combine beef, sausage, garlic, oregano, and garlic salt in large heavy frying pan.
Add 2 large spoons of the sauce to flavor.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile..
Put Ricotta, eggs, 2 spoons of sauce, a pinch of both cheeses, and more garlic salt and oregano in large bowl.
Mix well.
* This is very important. The trick to a truly good lasagna is to flavor the ricotta the right way. Putting the sauce in it helps to "marry" the flavors throughout the dish. It makes a big difference.*
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Coat the bottom of your lasagna pan in sauce, as pictured.
Lay down 4 noodles, slightly overlapping.

Cover in a layer of the ricotta, then a layer of the meat.

 Add another layer of four noodles, then the remainder of the ricotta.

Cover in a layer of the mozzarella.

Cover in a layer of sauce.

Add the last 4 noodles.

Cover in sauce, rest of mozzarella, and some parmesan.

Cover pan with a good, thick foil. Poke fork holes in 2 diagonal ends. (Do not go crazy with these. We want to allow some steam out, not dry out our dinner. 

Bake for 45 minutes, then remove foil and bake for 7 minutes more.

    Enjoy!! <3

Chicken Rolls and Chicken Parm Pasta

Tonight you get a double header! I kind of went nuts in the kitchen tonight, making 2 new recipes. They turned out delicious, so now you get to enjoy them as well! They go well together, or you can make them 2 totally separate meals. Or you could make both, and eat for two nights, which is great during the school year! Your possibilities, while they may not be endless, are many!

You Will Need:

1 can (14.5 ounces) Organic Diced Tomatoes
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Garlic Salt
Oregano
1 (6 oz.) Package Organic Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Organic Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Pound Organic Pizza Dough
1 Pound Organic Pasta (I used Rigatoni)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet.
Coat with Oregano and Garlic Salt.
Bake for 39 minutes on the center shelf.
When chicken is cooled, use scissors to cut into small strips/chunks.
Spray a large, heavy frying pan with cooking spray.
Put the chicken, the tomatoes, and a little more oregano and garlic salt in the pan.
Mix well.
Cover.
Cook over low heat for about 20 minutes.
While that is cooking, cut the pizza dough into fourths, and roll them out (not too thin).
Cook the organic pasta al dente. Drain. Set aside.

When done, scoop the chicken mix onto dough. Place it off to one side, as in the picture. Cover the chicken with shredded mozzarella and parmesan. Roll end over and sides in, and press closed. (Don't worry about how it looks. It will look rustic.)
Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top, add some more garlic salt and oregano.
 Bake on 350 degrees for 28 minutes. (If it smells and looks done earlier, pull it out. Don't let it burn. You want some browning, not a black hockey puck.) 

As for the pasta, pour the remaining chicken mix in, add some grated parmesan, oregano, and garlic salt as needed.
Enjoy!! <3

Seasoned Pizza Dough

So I have finally come up with what I feel is the perfect pizza dough! Bellie and I made this today, and we used part of it for garlic balls and part of it for make your own pizzas for her birthday! It's pretty easy when you use the KitchenAid, and it is full of flavor!

You Will Need:

1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon yeast (2 packets that are .25 oz.)
2 cups warm water
7 1/2 cups flour (have some extra on hand also!)
1/2 teaspoon salt (table salt)
1 heaping Tablespoon ground oregano
2 heaping Tablespoons dried ground basil
1/4 cup vegetable shortening

Directions:

- Put water and yeast in a bowl. Whisk quickly, then allow to sit for 10 minutes.

- Put flour, salt, oregano, basil, and shortening in mixer and mix on low until it looks like the consistency of a crumb cake topping.
- Add yeast water, and mix on 2 until it is one big wad of dough. (This is where you will probably need to add more flour to make it less sticky.)
- Mix for like 6 more minutes.

- Spray cooking spray into a large plastic bowl, put the dough in, cover with a damp tea towel, and allow to sit in a warm area for 1 hour.  THE DOUGH WILL RISE A LOT.

For pizza:
- Flatten dough out into crusts on pizza pans or stones.
- Spread sauce over dough.
- Top with shredded mozzarella, parmesan, and whatever toppings you desire.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-20 minutes, or until crust is light brown.

Chicken and Canellini Beans

This meal was one of those things that wasn't planned. I had no idea what to cook one night; I hadn't thawed anything. I had some little tender-sized chicken breast pieces that were left from a different meal. I had an extra can of Canellini beans. I had a desire to eat. A meal was born.

You Will Need:

1 1/2 Pounds Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless, cut into tenders)

1 Can Canellini Beans, Drained

1 Can Diced Tomatoes With Chilies or Oregano

Garlic Salt

Adobo Seasoning

Salt and Pepper (fresh in grinder, of course)

Directions:

- Spray a large, sturdy frying pan with no-stick cooking spray.

- Put chicken into the pan, over medium heat. Sprinkle with Adobo, salt, and pepper.

- Cook for about 8 minutes, then turn and do the same thing on the other side, but for 5 minutes.

- Add the beans and tomatoes.

- Put in garlic salt to taste.

- Lower heat to a simmer, and allow to cook for about 25 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

- Serve over pasta or rice.

- Enjoy!! <3

Nachos!

Need a dinner that is super easy, really fast, and can still fill the family up? Why not make nachos? 

You Will Need:

Tortilla Chips (recipe coming soon for homemade ones like the ones in the pic)

Salsa (whatever kind you like, homemade is always best)

1 8oz. Package Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Shredded Mexican Blend

1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef

Taco Seasoning

Hot Sauce

1 Can Diced Tomatoes With Chilies

Sliced Jalapenos, optional (not in the pic this time)

Directions:

- Heat oven to 350 degrees.

- Brown and drain the ground beef.

- Add diced tomatoes, some hot sauce (to taste), and some taco seasoning (also to taste).

- Pour over tortilla chips on a pizza baking pan, or an oven-proof plate.

- Add the whole bag of cheese.
- Pour salsa on liberally.
- Top with jalapenos, if you have them. (I recommend it.)
- Serve with sour cream.
- Enjoy <3

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God bless!! <3