whole grain pasta bake

1 13.25 box of whole grain pasta (this time I used Rotini)
8 oz sundried tomato & basil cream cheese (you can use regular cream cheese)
1 16oz of low-fat cottage cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 jar of pasta sauce

Cook pasta & drain. Mix together the cream cheese and cottage cheese. In a 9x16 dish cover bottom with 1/2 of the pasta. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle some of the cheese. Layer with the rest of the pasta and top with sauce and more cheese. Bake in 350 oven for about an hour.

You can make this recipe many ways. Add a meat layer or sauteed veggies. Spaghetti also works or whatever noodle you have in your pantry. I try to make it healthier by using whole grain pasta and low-fat cheeses. Make up to 1 day ahead of time and keep in fridge until time to bake. Also freezes great.

Granola

This Granola is very easy, super yummy, and you can add whatever you want to make it exactly how you want it for way cheap! Another one of Aaron and the kids favorites. Aaron loves to take a large bag of it to work with him to snack on.

1 18oz old fashioned oats
1/4 stick of butter
1/3 cup of honey
1 Tablespoon of vanilla
small handful of brown sugar
your favorite nuts ( I like whole almonds and pecans)
dried fruit (I usually just use cranberries and blueberries)
M & M s or chocolate chips (or both :)

In a small sauce pan melt the butter, honey, and vanilla together on low heat. In a large bowl mix the oats, brown sugar, and nuts together with a little pinch of salt. Pour honey mixture over oats and mix well. Spread on a foiled lined cookie sheet and bake in a 325 oven for about 1/2 hour until crunchy. Stir occasionally. Let completely cool then add your fruit and chocolate. Have fun putting whatever you like in it! Obviously if you have nut allergies, you can make without them and it will still be pretty good. Store in an air tight container (I use zippies)

Fried Green Tomatoes

Sliced Green Tomatoes
1 egg
milk
corn meal mix (I got the buttermilk mix that already had Flour, salt, and baking powder)
chopped fresh basil
little more salt and pepper

In a frying pan on med/high cover the bottom with canola oil. Wait until it gets really hot. Mix the egg and milk together. In a separate dish mix the corn meal, basil, salt and pepper together. Dip the tomato slices in the egg wash and then in the corn meal mix and fry in frying pan. Make sure you leave it alone until it gets really brown on each side. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle a little sugar over the top before serving. This was a tip from Grandma Luttrell. YUM.

I love making fried green tomatoes from my garden! You can use this method with any veggie. I do zucchini the same way, but add Parmesan cheese to the corn meal mix.

Zuppa Toscana

1 pound sausage
1/2 a large onion chopped
1-2 cloves minced garlic
red pepper flakes (as hot as you like)
super large can chicken broth (49 ish oz)
lots of potatoes cubed ( I use red skin)
Fresh thyme
pepper
milk
fresh spinach or you can use Kale (holds up longer in soup)



brown and crumble sausage in a large dutch oven (soup pot) with a little olive oil. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Add 2 Tbs of butter and saute onion until soft. Add garlic and pepper flakes for a few minutes. Add everything else except for the spinach and milk. If you want it done fast boil for 20min until potatoes are done. I cook mine while the kiddos are napping, so I cook on low until dinner time. I use an immersion blender to slightly break up some of the potatoes, still like it pretty chunky. Before serving add the sausage back in, spinach, and milk. I use 2% and add maybe 3/4 cup. Obviously it will taste better with whole milk or cream! You can add more salt if needed, I don't usually b/c sausage is salty enough. I serve it with garlic bread, or homemade croutons and fresh grated Parmesan cheese :)