Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Menu Plan Monday

Yes, it's Tuesday again.  :) 

Last week we tried two new recipes which were big hits!  My plan fell apart by the end of the week though.  On Thursday I was too tired to cook, so no chicken fried rice for dinner.  I did end up making it for lunch on Friday though.  I think I need to plan on on leftovers for every Thursday.  Thursday is the day I am most likely to be burnt out from the week, and then I am re-energized on Friday because it's practically the weekend.

This week's plan is shaping up like this:
Monday - Rotini pasta with Chicken Al Fresco Sausage (The same recipe as last week, with rotini pasta instead of bowties)  This recipe was so good I have been craving it, so I decided to make it again.  It's still good, but I think I prefer it with the bowtie shaped pasta.
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Crockpot Beef Stew served over rice
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Black bean and cheese quesadillas

You can find many more menu plans and ideas at OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Recipe Review - Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken Al Fresco Sausage

Last night I made Bow Tie Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage.  It turned out to be one of the best new recipes I've tried in a while.

It was easy to prepare, and the flavors were perfect together.  The major test for any pasta dish is my husband's reaction, as he doesn't care for pasta most of the time.  He loved this and proclaimed it "As good as a restaurant".

Give this one a try, I think you'll love it too!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14 ounce) cans italian diced tomatoes (with basil, garlic & oregano), drained
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons parmesan
1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian chicken (or turkey) sausage, casings removed and crumbled or slice
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.  Meanwhile heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Saute garlic and onion until transparent.  Add sausage and cook until sausage is lightly browned.  Stir in drained tomatoes and cream, simmer until thickened, about 8-10 minutes. 
Stir cooked pasta into sauce and heat through.  Top with parmesan.
Update 1/7/16: This recipe is still a part of my regular recipe rotation.  I've made it with sweet italian turkey sausage, and I've used gluten free pasta at times, and it's still always a hit!  

Perfect Baked Brown Rice

This is Alton Brown's technique for brown rice, and I think it's the only way to make brown rice! I make a batch every Sunday to kee...