Oven Dried Tomatoes

Pretty much the only thing my garden was good at producing this year was tomatoes. I didn't want to waste so much and at the same time try something easy. Just having a baby makes me a whole lot less ambitious. I figured this was my answer. And who doesn't love sun dried tomatoes? I tried two different ways, leaving the seeds in with a higher oven temperature and squeezing the seeds out with a lower oven temperature. They actually took about the same amount of time and it the only difference seems to be the seed-in high temp version came out a little darker in color. I was hoping they would dry out faster with the higher temperature but they didn't really. 

Oven Dried Tomatoes

Ingredients 

Couple pounds of Cherry tomatoes 

Salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. 

Halve the tomatoes and lay cut side up in one layer on a cookie sheet with edges aka jelly roll pan.

Sprinkle with salt. 

Bake for about 8 hrs. Checking every few hours removing any tomatoes from the pan that have dried and taken on a leathery feel. 

When all have dried place in freezer ziplock bag and freeze. 

 

Or if you don't want seeds, 

Squeeze out seeds from cut tomatoes. Lay cut side up

Bake at 150 from 6-8 hrs. Checking every couple hours. 

Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Herbs

This year I have had tons of tomatoes from my 2 ginormous plants. They are monsters. It's my first time growing them here and they have done great but since the middle of June they have started to get some dried leaves and branches. 100 degree weather will do that I guess. I think they are either about done giving tomatoes or just slowing down for a bit. I guess we'll see. But anyway, all these tomatoes I were going to go to waste so I decided to dry them in the oven. Worked out pretty well and I think I plan on doing it again. It's super simple, just takes a bit of time drying in the oven.

Now that I had all these dried tomatoes I needed to try them out to see if it was worth it, and they were delicious (I'll have to post about those too). So here is this weeknight meal that was the product of all these tomatoes. It could easily be served when company is over too. Lots of flavor and pretty easy.  I made mine all in one pot and could be even simpler without adding any protein. So good. 

Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Herbs

Serves 4

Ingredients 

1 lb pasta (penne, spirals, bow ties, etc) cooked according to package directions and drained

2 Tbs olive oil

1 lg chicken breast 

3 Tbs unsalted butter

3 Tbs flour

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 small clove garlic minced

1/2 tsp dried basil*

1/4 tsp dried oregano* 

1 tsp dried parsley* 

2 cups (one can) chicken broth

1/4 cup grated Parmesan 

salt and pepper

Pinch red pepper flakes

3/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Directions

*Fresh herbs would be ideal, chopped very fine and added at the end instead of dried herbs added at the beginning, but all my herbs died. Some things get forgotten after you have a baby... oh well.

In the same pot that you cooked the pasta, heat olive oil over medium heat. 

Add chicken with some salt and pepper and cook. To make things super simple I often cut the chicken in the pan while it's  cooking with my spatula . Shh don't tell anyone. 

Remove from pan, add butter and flour.

Whisk well to make a roux. 

Add cream, garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs and allow it to get fragrant. 

Add chicken broth and Parmesan and turn heat up to medium high heat for a few minutes to reduce slightly. Whisking occasionally to keep from sticking to the bottom.

Salt to taste. 

Turn off heat and add noodles, chicken, tomatoes, and pine nuts. 

Serve immediately. 

Macaroni Salad

The weather is starting to really warm up here down in southern Utah. I imagine in about a month the northern states will feel the warmth and people will start to pull out their grills. This macaroni salad is pretty addictive for me. It's sweet, salty, and tangy all at once, perfect for any outdoor party. Why buy a macaroni salad at a store deli when this one can be whipped up so quickly? The bits of small chopped veggies give a good texture change to the macaroni. 

I'm pretty sure it was my sister-in-law that introduced my family to this macaroni salad. I got the recipe from my mom a few years back. Delicious. 

Macaroni Salad

Serves 6-8

Ingredients 

4 cups uncooked macaroni 

1 cup mayo

1/3 cup sugar 

1/4 cup white vinegar

2 1/2 T yellow mustard

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 Small chopped onion (I prefer a few dashes of onion powder so you don't chomp down on raw onion)

2 stalks celery, chopped 

1 small green pepper, chopped 

1 large carrot, grated

Directions 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until just al dente. 

While its cooking mix all the other ingredients in large bowl. 

Drain and rinse pasta to cool it off.

Add pasta to the large bowl and stir together. 

Refrigerate until needed. 

 

Almond Pesto

I planted two basil plants this year and I'm pretty sure I will require a two plant minimum from now on. Basil is so refreshing, especially in pesto. But pine nuts are like gold so it can be expensive to make - hence the almonds. Roasted almonds are preferred but raw would probably work if you are in a hurry. Even though it only takes like 5 minutes to pan roast them. 

Spread on bread, stir into pasta, dallop on chicken or fish, use as a sauce on pizza, stir in some soup, stir into mayo for an awesome sandwich or panini... Yum

Almond Pesto

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

3 cups packed, fresh basil leaves 

 2/3 cup raw almonds

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

1-2 cloves garlic

Juice of half a lemon 

1/2-3/4 cup olive oil 

Salt and pepper

Directions 

In a medium pan over medium high heat, toast the almonds until they turn light brown. Stir occasionally. 

Place basil, almonds, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice into food processor or blender and process until it's mixed well, scraping down the sides a few times. 

Slowly add the olive oil until it's a consistency you like. I generally like mine a little looser, but it depends on what I'm using it for. 

Salt and pepper to taste. 

Store in the fridge or freeze. 

Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

I needed something new and cold for dinner tonight. We are sweating our way through the middle of our first St. George summer. Every time I put my kids in the car I feel like they may suffer from heatstroke just from the time it takes me to strap them in then walk around the car to get in and start the AC. The sweet, sweet AC. 

I saw vegetables in my fridge and contemplated what I could make with them without having to use any heat. I guess I used a little flame to boil my water and cook pasta but I still count this as a win because my 3 year old had seconds and my husband had thirds. This pasta would be good as a side dish or a main entree with a baguette on the side. While eating it I imagined it would be great to take to a barbecue and have it along side a nice juicy steak. Mmmm

Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette 

Serves 4-5 as a main dish, or plenty to go around as a side. 

Ingredients

1 lb cooked and drained pasta (shells, penne, spirals)

7 oz kielbasa diced small 

1 lg bunch broccoli chopped very small

1 red bell pepper diced very small 

1 celery stalk diced small 

1/2 small English cucumber diced 

1 tablespoon very finely chopped red onion

Vinaigrette 

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2/3 cup prepared blue cheese dressing (I used Lighthouse Chunky Blue Cheese) 

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 teaspoon sugar

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Stir together vinagrette ingredients in a small bowl.

Stir together chopped vegetables, kielbasa, and pasta in a large bowl.

Pour dressing over the salad and stir until everything I coated.  

Refrigerate if not eating right away. 

Asparagus and Pea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

With the 100 degree temperatures I need something cool for dinner. The vinaigrette turned out to be delicious with the pasta, and bread used to wipe my plate. The peas were a great sweet accent to the tart lemon. If you were to make dinner in less than 100 degree weather I'd say grill up some chicken to serve with it. But I'm too chicken for that right now. Or just too darn lazy :) This is what I call a happy summer meal. 

Asparagus and Pea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette 

Serves 4-5 as a main course

Ingredients

1 lb pasta such as rigatoni or penne

1 bunch asparagus, sliced

1 small head romain lettuce, chopped

1 1/2 cup frozen petite peas, thawed

Vinaigrette 

Juice and zest of 2 lemons 

4 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon minced roasted garlic

1 heaping teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste

Pinch of fresh ground black pepper plus more to taste

Directions

Mix together all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar with a lid. Shake well. 

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the asparagus. 

Bring water back to a boil and allow to boil for about 30 seconds more temove from heat.

While keeping the water in the pot, remove asparagus to a colander and rinse with cold water. 

Bring the water back to a boil and add pasta and cook according to package instructions to al dente.

Put pasta, asparagus, and peas in a large bowl.

Pour half the vinaigrette over it and stir.

Refrigerate. 

Add lettuce and remainder of vinaigrette just before serving. 

Serve with chicken, fish, or just a little Parmesan. 

Baked Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Chicken and spinach are so versatile. There are 3 different meals I've made lately with the pair, and I have one more variation I'd like to try. I'm a little obsessed with the spinach and chicken I guess. Sorry family.... not sorry :)

Baked Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

4 small chicken breasts

3 Tablespoons olive oil

16 oz slightly under cooked pasta such as penne or rigatoni 

24 oz container low fat, small curd cottage cheese

2 eggs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 cup grated mozzarella 

1/2 onion, diced

1 cup mushrooms, chopped (optional)

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 cups chopped spinach

Juice of half a lemon 

salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir cottage cheese, eggs, and Parmesan together. Set aside. 

Heat oil in large pan over medium high heat. Salt and pepper the chicken and add to pan.  Brown each side. Remove from pan and cube the chicken. 

Add onions to the pan and allow them to to soften. 

Add mushrooms and chicken broth and scrape the pan. 

Add cubed chicken.

Add spinach and lemon juice and heat just until wilted. 

Remove from heat. 

In a 9x13 inch casserole pan, layer half the noodles, half the chicken and spinach, and half the cottage cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and pour and juice in the pan over the noodles. Top with mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake until the sides of the pan are bubbling, about 25 minutes. Uncover and broil on high to brown the cheese. 

Enjoy! 

Pasta With Tomato Basil Sauce

I'm back.  Well, I think, at least for now.  As you can see I am very committed to getting recipes saved.  It has been almost a year since I have posted something.  It's been 6 months since I had a baby so I think I am finally adjusted to mom-hood so I can fit this luxury back into my schedule.  I have so many recipes I would like to put on here and save for myself.  Pretty much that is what has brought me back.  I've made something, loved it, and forgot where I got it or the exact ingredients so I have a hard time making it again.  I'm back here to save me some grief.  This little number is one of those recipes.  I don't remember where I got it but I love it and it's so easy to make.  Most likely it's from Epicurious.  It is also very versitale.  I've made it with spinach, chicken, shrimp, leeks, and I think, even artichoke hearts.  Not all at the same time, but I'm sure that would be good too haha.  Oh and I'm just going to say I found something that makes my life easier when using basil.

Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce


serves about 4


Ingredients


1 lb Pasta
2 Tbs Olive Oil
1/2 Onion, chopped small
2-3 Cloves Garlic
1/4 Cup White Wine (optional, adds some depth but you can use water or broth)
28 ounce Can Diced Tomatoes (or Fresh if you'd like)
1 tsp Brown Sugar (Optional)
1 Tbs Freshly Basil, sliced up
1/2 -1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan
Salt and Pepper to taste

Also good with spinach, other veggies, chicken or shrimp.


Directions

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan.
Add onions and garlic, cook until soft.
De-glaze the pan with the wine.
Add tomatoes and sugar and simmer.
Meanwhile, start the pasta water.  When you add the pasta to the boiling water add the basil, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to the tomatoes.
Simmer the sauce while the pasta cooks.
When the pasta is done add to the tomato sauce, add any additional basil and parmesan cheese after serving.

Broccoli and Shells

This is such a delightful Italian dish. The original recipe calls for orecchiette but it is seriously no where to be found in these parts.  Either way, these shells worked out fine.  Orecchiette is an ear-shaped pasta.  Doesn't that sound appetizing? I have wanted to try it for the longest time, but have never actually attempted to buy the small pasta.  Finally, when I want to buy it, I can't find it.

This pasta doesn't have a thick, heavy sauce, and that's why I love it.  It has such simple flavors, which I think is refreshing. The whole time I was eating this I was craving some kind of pear, apple, or grapes to go with it.  I'll have to keep that in mind next time I make it.  I hope you love it as much as I did.  Oh, and this makes quite a bit, I made it for just two and we have plenty of leftovers (which I am pretty happy about).

Broccoli and Shells


Ingredients

You can easily add more or less of each ingredient.  

1 Large Chopped Bunch of Broccoli ~ 3-4 cups
1 lb Shell Pasta
~ 1 1/2 Cups Chopped Ham - or cooked Bacon or Pancetta if you want to get fancy 
2 Cloves Minced Garlic (I buy it smashed up in a jar... much easier to use)
~ 1/3 Chopped Yellow Onion (Scallions or other types can be used)
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions

In a large pot, bring water to a boil.  Add pasta and a Tbs or 2 of salt.  Cook the pasta until it is just about done. Maybe, 6 minutes or so.  You just don't want it to get mushy when you bring it all together in the end.
Drain the pasta and save about 2 cups of the starchy water.
In a large pan, heat oil.  Add the garlic and onions and saute until they become soft. 
Add the ham and let it brown just a bit, this should not take long.  If you are using bacon or pancetta, you would want to cook them before hand.
Add the broccoli and about 1 cup of the saved starchy water.  Stir well, gradually adding more water if needed.
Add the red pepper flakes and salt and pepper.  You probably won't need much salt because the ham is salty.  
Add the cooked pasta and stir well, coating all pasta and broccoli.  Add more starchy water if needed.
By this time the broccoli should be cooked through.  If not, you can cover the pan for a few minutes to steam the broccoli.
Serve and top with Parmesan cheese.

Macaroni and Cheese

Again, I apologize for the terrible lighting. What to do when it gets dark at 5 pm? This is such a good recipe, and it's probably because it's made of cheese! Well, if you are on the DASH diet this will definitely meet some of your needs for calcium but it's definitely over-ruled by the fat and sodium content. I try to make this as often as I can with out gaining an increased chance of a heart attack. This is quick and easy and such a good way to enjoy mac and cheese as a grown up! Hooray for comfort food, on these cold winter nights. This recipe comes modified from the Williams-Sonoma cook book American. Be sure to eat lots of veggies with your Macaroni and Cheese!

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

1 lb Elbow Macaroni (In this picture I used Fusilli- like Fusilli Jerry off of Seinfeld)
4 Tbs Butter
1/4 Cup Flour
3 Cups Warm Milk
1/2 lb Montery Jack Cheese Grated
1/2 lb Sharp Cheddar Cheese Grated
3/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 1/2 Tbs Melted Butter
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Hot Sauce to taste (this is a MUST)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and some salt and cook for about 6 minutes.
Drain pasta; while this is draining, return the pot to the stove over medium heat, melt 4 Tbs butter.
Whisk in the flour, and over low heat let bubble for about 2 min. and stir occasionally.
Pour in the warm milk and whisk well. Bring the burner up to medium heat again and bring to a boil (careful because it can be hard to tell when milk is boiling). Whisk and make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom.
Add the cheese stirring well.
Add the pasta.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Gradually add 5 drops of hot sauce at a time. We like a lot of hot sauce!
Transfer pasta and cheese to a 2 quart baking dish.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top and drizzle with the melted butter.
Bake for about 30 minutes until it's bubbly and golden brown on top.

This is the kind of hot sauce we like for this recipe

Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce

First off I would like to apologize for the quality of the pictures I have been posting; this one in particular. I have been getting home a little later from work and barely have enough time to take a picture before all the natural light goes away. I can't wait to get a new camera but it is just one of those things that is on my list to do, but you know, may not actually get around doing them!

Well, this recipe is so easy! Thank you to my mom for making life easy peasy. I made this sauce with out any protien (chicken, sausage...) just for an extra easy meal. You could add practically anything to this sauce and it would be delicious; artichokes, olives, squash, zucchini, chicken, sausage, pesto, Italian cheeses -I could go on and on.

Mom's Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. Cream or Half and Half
1 tsp Dried Thyme
10 Sundried Tomatoes (in a jar in oil)
1 c. Chicken Broth
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Bring cream and thyme to a boil then simmer for 10 min then let sit to cool a little for 10 min.
Press the tomatoes between some paper towels to get most the oil off.
Puree the tomatoes and with half of the chicken broth.
Strain the cream through a sieve to get the thyme out and put the cream back into the pan.
Add the pureed tomatoes and the rest of the chicken broth to the cream and simmer for a few minutes.
Salt and pepper.
Serve over pasta.