Twenty Minute Tortellini Delight

In less than twenty minutes without having a recipe this quick meal was created.

 Raves from the hubby! :)

Tonight's quick meal is so simple you can prepare and serve it within twenty minutes!

 From my kitchen to yours,

1/4 cup olive oil
2 T butter
1 small red onion sliced thin
2 cloves minced garlic
1 pkg bird eye broccoli florets microwave according to directions
1/2 cup zucchini sliced thin
5 cherry tomatoes halved
Refrigerated cheese tortellini cooked 2 minutes and drained reserving 1/2 cup of liquid
2 To 3 T heavy cream or half and half
Grated pecorino Romano cheese

The result! Double yummy!

Wild Rice and Vegetable Pilaf

When I go grocery shopping I know if I have lots of fresh veggies in my cart there is going to be lots of cooking going on in my kitchen. So far the last few days I have been making healthy dishes minus meat.  You can add some cooked shrimp or chicken to top this dish if you choose.  Make sure you squeeze some lemon juice on it.   Light, delicious and so full of flavor this will be a favorite I am sure.  Enjoy!

Another Healthy Meal from my kitchen to yours,

 Happy Cooking!

2 cups reduced fat chicken broth

**1 cup wild rice, or brown rice or combine both to equal 1 cup

3 T olive oil or

3 T pesto(optional)

1 cup diced red pepper

1 cup diced orange pepper

1 cup chopped asparagus

1 cup diced zucchini

Lemon juice to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

1 T parsley

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

In a saucepan place rice and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

While rice is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat place pesto or  olive oil.  Add bell peppers, asparagus and zucchini.  Season with salt and pepper.  Saute until crisp but tender.  Add cooked rice and simmer until  rice is blended.  Take off heat, sprinkle  with parsley, crumbled feta and freshly squeezed lemon or lemon juice. 

Note:  I used homemade pesto, store bought pesto can be used.  Pesto adds a lot more flavor.

Serves 4

**Note:  1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained twice can be substituted for the rice. 

recipe courtesy dashrecipes.  I adapted this recipe to our liking and substituted pesto for olive oil to give it a bit more flavor.

4/22/13

Grateful and Blessed Week Two

I went to visit my mom for a few days last week.  She lives over 300 miles from our home and I make it a point to visit her every month. I have tried getting her to move closer to us but she wants to stay where she is and after talking to those who deal with the elderly they say allow  her stay where she is comfortable.  Making new friends would be difficult at her age. (almost 92)

To make note my hubby is my rock when it comes to care for my mom.  It is a joint process.  We work well together.  When we go in to see her he handles the running around for the last minute items she needs attended to and keeps me positive about the frustration that comes along with being a sole caregiver for a parent. Any questions on her finances, papers filled out and day to day questions that I can't seem to handle he is there for me to lend assistance.  He lost his parents at a very young age they were 60 and 62 respectively so this is something he has not had to handle and is doing a wonderful job supporting me.  I am blessed to have him!

Mom lives independently in a small efficiency apartment.  Her health is good but she has no strength in her legs at all so I am working on helping her get a more efficient walker.  This has been a challenge.  She doesn't like change and yesterday I was with her during her therapy session where they are working at getting her to adjust to a new device. A new tech walker.  I realize this is not easy but she is trying. She gets out of breath walking any distance and this one has a seat attached which is nice but as simple as just turning around to sit is a big project.  We so worry about falls.

The facility she resides in is a very safe environment and  although she doesn't have nursing care they are only a call away.  One of my true blessings. We also have a Life alert system where she wears a necklace and if she needs assistance a press of a button alerts a call center where they page her assistance.  She loves her independence and although she is of sound mind her body is breaking down.  It is heartbreaking to say the least.  She no longer has very good eyesight and although we have seen several doctors it is just part of the aging process.  Surprisingly although she is frustrated with these aging changes she rarely complains. She is a peach!

When I come in for my monthly visits I bring lots of small prepared meals for her and lots of desserts for her sweet tooth. She so appreciates what I do for her and thanks me and my husband frequently.  She knows we do our best and tells us many times during our visits. That really makes me feel good and appreciated.

So I do count my blessings everyday and today for the man I married some 48 years ago.  He is my rock and I am so grateful that we manage to get through all of lives challenges, step by step ,inch my inch, good days and frustrating days.  I love him and I know he loves me and my mom too!