Garofalo pasta with spinach, bacon and diced tomatoes

Pasta again.  That's what's cooking in my kitchen....

I really try to come up with good recipes for everyone but with my Italian hubby pasta has to be included in most recipes.  I like to watch carbs but with my guy it just isn't easy.  Adding some bacon changes somewhat boring ingredients to quite tasty.

This recipe is quite simple.

10 oz. of pasta cooked according to directions.(salt water)
6 slices crisp bacon broke in pieces( add Right before serving to insure crispness)
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
2 T olive oil
1-14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 bag frozen spinach (you can use fresh if you have it)
salt and pepper to taste
  

11/11/19

In a medium size pot saute bacon until crispy.  Remove bacon and break into small pieces.  Add 1 T olive oil and minced garlic.  Saute..add diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil and parsley.  Cook several minutes.  Rinse spinach under cold water and drain by squeezing as much water out of the spinach as you can. Add spinach and broken pieces of bacon to tomatoes.  Toss with 1 more tsp. olive oil and drained pasta.

I topped this dish with a little shredded mozzarella.

It's good! I could have seasoned it a bit more.  Next time will add a little more salt and red pepper for a little more bite.

Enjoy!

New Blogger format

Hi everyone!

I hope I can get this correct once and for all.

Here are a few of my recent delights posted on my We like to bake and cook group.  You are welcome to join our group on Facebook!

Fingers crossed!

Garlic Butter orzo with chicken

This is a food network recipe I made adjustments to.  

10/20/19

It called for sliced cherry tomatoes and I preferred using canned petite diced tomatoes which my hubby and I agreed made this recipe delicious.

Super easy meal for two or more.  Increase ingredients if necessary.  This recipe made enough to serve 4 adding a salad as a side.

4 thin chicken cutlets( I butterflied mine)
2 T olive oil
Salt and red pepper To taste
Sprinkle Italian seasoning
Place in a bowl and toss to coat evenly.

In a separate bowl place

2 T butter
2large cloves garlic
Microwave until butter is melted.


Note: All seasonings were guesstimates.  I’m not fond of heavy seasonings.



Melt butter with garlic

Pour mixture over dried orzo and stir.

1/ 1/2 cups diced tomatoes( drain slightly ). ( recipe called for cut in half cherry tomatoes)
1cup uncooked orzo
1 -14 oz can chicken broth

Shredded mozzarella for topping after baked.

In a greased 13 x9” baking dish place place dry orzo. Add butter garlic mixture and stir.
Add chicken broth and stir.
Spoon diced tomatoes on top.

Place seasoned chicken on top and cover.  Bake 350 degrees 50 to 60 minutes.  Remove from oven remove cover and add shredded mozzarella and bake uncovered an additional 8 to 10 minutes.  Delish!

Self care during the Pandemic! The eyes have it!

I’m going out on a limb letting myself

 Show my worse to add a little humor as well as  self care during this Pandemic.

Moral to the story....since you’ll be wearing a mask skip the make up and

 Focus on your eyes!!!!  Especially eye cream!

Cauliflower cakes

A very good day everyone!

Dinner tonight was to be hamburgers on soft rolls with a pasta salad as the side.

Instead of a pasta salad I had a small head of cauliflower and thought squash the pasta salad idea and make some cauliflower cakes instead.  The recipe is similar to potato pancakes but using fresh cauliflower instead.

After cleaning the cauliflower I used my food processor.  I placed bite sized florets slowly into
Processor and kept pulsing until it was of the texture I wanted.

Here’s my approximate recipe

I small head cauliflower(cut into pieces)
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. Salt
Pinch pepper
1/2 tsp. Onion powder
1/4 tsp. Garlic powder
1/4 cup flour
Vegetable oil
Sour cream optional

Whisk eggs, salt, pepper. Garlic and onion powder together.  Fold in chopped cauliflower using a large spoon making sure all ingredients are incorporated.

In a large frying pan place a generous amount of oil ( 1/4 cup or more) on medium heat.  Once oil appears warmed make individual small to medium size patties.  Place in oil and allow to brown slowly.  Turn over and repeat frying until browned.  At this point watch heat they could start to brown quickly.

Remove with spatula and Place on a dish lined with a paper towel or two to remove some excess oil.

Serve with sour cream or possibly a little salsa!