The Jan Ririe Collections- Tomato Pasta

Tomato Pesto Pasta

• ¼ cup slivered almonds
• 10 to 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, about 2 to 3 cups
• ½ cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 medium garlic clove, chopped
• ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• ¾ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound linguine or spaghetti noodles
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish, optional

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INSTRUCTIONS 

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the noodles according to package directions.
• While the noodles are boiling, toast the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• In a food processor, combine the almonds, tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Process for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and process again until the mixture is mostly smooth (there will be small bits of almonds but everything else should be pretty smooth). With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and mix for 20-30 seconds. Set aside.
• Drain the noodles and return to the pot.
• Pour over the pesto sauce, add the Parmesan cheese, and toss to combine.
• Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.

 

Best Baked Potato

Gimme some oven 

• 1 medium-to-large Russet potato, scrubbed clean of any dirt
• 1–2 teaspoons melted butter (or olive oil)
• pinch of coarse Kosher salt
• pinch of freshly-cracked black pepper

1. Heat the oven. Heat oven to 450°F.  Line a large baking sheet with foil (or parchment*), and if you happen to own a wire cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
2. Prep the potato. Using a dinner fork or a small paring knife, poke the potato at least 10 times on all sides.  Place the potato on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake (round one). Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove baking sheet from the oven.
4. Brush with butter (or oil).  Using a pastry brush, brush the outside of the potato with melted butter or olive oil until it is completely coated on all sides.  Sprinkle the potato with a generous pinch of Kosher salt, and place the potato back on the baking sheet reverse-side-up, so that it can cook evenly on both sides.
5. Bake (round two). Bake for an additional 20 minutes.  Using an oven mitt, carefully squeeze the potato to check for doneness.  If the insides are soft and give under pressure, remove the potato from the oven.  Otherwise, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the potato is soft.
6. Cut the potato.  Using a small paring knife, slice halfway through the potato lengthwise.  Then give it a gentle squeeze to open.
7. Serve.  Serve immediately, with your desired toppings.

sour cream

cheddar cheese

feta cheese

steamed broccoli

chives/green onions

sauteed mushrooms

crumbled bacon

cherry tomatoes

avocado

chili

Veggie cups with dip

 

Cut a variety of vegetables into thin tall strips, serve In a small glass or plastic cup-

peppers, celery, carrots, cucumber, jicama, cherry tomatoes on a toothpick

Lynne Pasta Salad

Serves 5-8

16 oz Pasta (I've tried rotini, and large elbows)
Kalamata or black olives (halved)
Peppers (red, yellow, orange) chopped
Red Onions (slivered)
1 pkg of Cherry tomatoes (halved)
5 Mini or english cucumbers (they are more dense and crisp than regular cucumbers)
8 oz Feta
Dill
Olive oil, garlic (powder or minced), vinegar
Salt and pepper

Cook pasta, cut veggies, mix in feta, dill, oil, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Delicious and fresh!!!
Great leftovers for 2 days, then on day 3 the cucumbers tend to go soft and slimey.

Lemon Chicken Skewers

Taste of home

1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-in. pieces
3 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-1/2-inch slices
3 medium onions, cut into wedges
12 cherry tomatoes
Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients; set aside 1/4 cup for basting. Pour half into a large bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat. Pour the remaining marinade into another large bowl. Add the zucchini, onions and tomatoes; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate chicken and vegetables for up to 4 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Alternately thread chicken and vegetables onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6 minutes on each side or until chicken juices run clear, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

• Nutrition Facts
• 1 each: 219 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 278mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable.

Burrito Spaghetti Squash Boats

Delish

-------FOR SPAGHETTI SQUASH--------
2  

medium spaghetti squash, halved, seeds removed

1 tbsp. 

extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt
1/2 tsp.  

chili powder

 
1/2 tsp. cumin

-------FOR FILLING--------
1 tbsp.  

extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

 
2 

cloves garlic, minced

 
1 lb. 

ground beef

1 tbsp. 

taco seasoning mix

Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1  

(15-oz.) can black beans

 

1 c chopped cherry tomatoes

 

1 c corn, canned and drained or frozen

 

1/2c shredded Monterey jack

 

2 TBSP. shredded cheddar

 
freshly chopped cilantro (optional)

avocado

1. heat oven to 400°. Drizzle cut sides of spaghetti squash with oil and season with salt, chili powder, and cumin. Place cut side down on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly. Using a fork, break up squash strands.
2. Meanwhile, make filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook until beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat. 
3. Stir in taco seasoning, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in black beans, cherry tomatoes, and corn. 
4. Fill each spaghetti squash with beef mixture and top with cheeses. Return to oven to melt cheese, 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Amazing Quinoa Salad

Jamie Dredge West is the CREATOR of this Quinoa Amazing Salad


2 c water
1 c quinoa
any color of sliced and chopped peppers
avocado
almonds
mandarin ginger dressing or can serve with Sesame Ginger Dressing
shredded cabbage
sliced cherry tomatoes
mango
pinneapple
chopped fresh cilantro
optional- shreddded or cubed chicken (I havent tried it but I bet it be good)
Feta cheese

1 - Quinoa - cook with some parsley, basil. My other friend uses celery salt, thyme, sage, oregano, lemon pepper and water.
2. Chop/slice veggies- Coleslaw cabbage salad - add red/yellow/orange peppers and avocado and sliced almonds - dressing mandarin ginger.  add mango or pineapple.

3. Scoop quinoa onto plate then top with coleslaw salad, dressing, avocado, almonds, and fruit!!! It hits the yummy, nutritious, and delicious spot in my tummy. Cook enough quinoa and chop enough cabbage to last the week. Tadahhhh you have lunch waiting everyday