Italian Grilled Cheese

Yumminess!

I came up with this one when I had just the teeniest bit of spaghetti sauce and didn't know quite what to do with it. Instead of just buttering each piece of bread, I made them into garlic bread on one side of each and put mozzarella in between instead of cheddar and there you have it. It's delicious dipped in spaghetti sauce.

Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon and Chicken

This is one of my favorite recipes and my kids LOVE it!!! I just HAD to make it tonight.

Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon and Chicken

9 oz Angel Hair (though I usually go with more)
1 1/2 cups cooked diced chicken
1/4 cup melted butter (though I usually go with less)
2 Tbs lemon juice
1 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Cook pasta. Toss in remaining ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste (I like to use sea salt). Top with Parmesan.

Tomato Parmesan Pasta

This is a dish I invented in college that has grown in sophistication over the years.. it started off with butter and powder Parmesan and has changed and grown with my taste.
My own recipes are difficult to write down because I really don't use measurements, but I can give you the gist of it here.

Tomato Parmesan Pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions. You can use whatever kind you like and however much you want.
Drain pasta and put back in original pot. Toss in just enough olive oil to coat (not douse) pasta. Add a little fresh minced garlic and toss flavor in. Add some sea salt to taste and toss. Now add chopped fresh basil and some chopped tomato and toss. Toss in some fresh grated Parmesan. You can add a little more on top if you like, and then you're left with this beauty:

Crockpot Italian Bowtie Pasta

This is one of my FAVORITE recipes. If you have children who don't like seeing green stuff in their pasta, they might not be game for this one, in fact I made it once and my 10 year old step daughter turned to my husband and asked "Do you really like this?" without even picking up her fork. He answered "Yes," of course - he loves it - and so do my little ones. :)

Crockpot Italian Bowtie Pasta

1/2 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
8 oz tomato sauce
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in crockpot. Cook on low 7-8 hours. I thought I could cut the time in half and cook it on high, but it wasn't nearly as good - go the long route with this one! Increase to high and add:

8 oz bowtie pasta (though I'm sure you could use any kind - just have to change the name...), cooked and drained
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup Mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmesan

Cover and cook 10 more minutes then serve.

Pizza Dough

My mom sent me this recipe and we use it every Friday night. It makes a delicious, soft, thick crust. Steve likes to cut it in half to make thinner pizzas.

1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour

Stir water, sugar, and yeast til dissolved. Add olive oil and salt. Stir in flour until well blended. Let rest 10 minutes.
(I usually knead it at this point to increase the elasticity, but it's not written in the recipe.) Form dough and place on pizza stone. Add toppings. Bake 15-20 minutes at 425.