Baked Ziti

This final recipe is one that I also got from one of my good friend's mom.  Simplicity is key with this last one! It's called "baked ziti".  Probably another one of my favorite recipes.  Here it is.. enjoy!

1 lb. rotini
1 1/2 jars pf marinara (Emeril Lagasse brand)
1 16 oz. tub of ricotta
2 eggs
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 handful of parm cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix ricotta, eggs, mozzarella, parm cheese, parsley, and salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Cook pasta.  Spray baking dish with pam.  Mix pasta and ricotta mixture together.  Pour contents into baking dish.  Pour marinara sauce evenly over pasta mixture.  DO NOT mix.  Sprinkle top with parm cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes with the first 20 minutes covered in tin foil.

QUICKIE!

This next recipe is complements of my roommate B-MOOSE.

She named it a quickie because it's fairly simple and is inspired by the eatery she is employed by that makes ham quickies.  It is a breakfast dish.  ENJOY! 

two eggs  
quarter cup of milk
pepper slices
onion slices
American cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
pam

Beat eggs and milk in a bowl.  Heat one teaspoon of olive oil and a small pan.  Add pepper onion mixture--- however much you prefer.  Salt and pepper the onion and pepper mixture.  Let brown and crisp up for about 5 minutes.  While that is working, heat a large skillet over medium heat--- sprayed with pam or cooking spray.  Once heated pour egg mixture in pan.  Let sit before you start to scramble them-- wait for a few bubbles to surface.  Once the bubbles have appeared, start to move egg mixture around with spatula.  Move around until all liquid egg is gone.  Place scrambled eggs on a plate and pour peppers and onions over the eggs.  Add sliced American cheese to the top.  You might have to microwave to melt the cheese.
 

Thanksgiving Appetizer - Stuffed Celery

This is a really simple recipe that my mum preps for Thanksgiving every year.  It very simple and is a tradition in our family.

1 bunch of celery-- cleaned and cut 3 to 4 inches in length
1 large container of cream cheese
1 can of green olives stuffed with pementos-- minced

Clean and cut celery.  Mince green olives and stir into cream cheese.  Stuff the hollowed area of the celery stalk with cream cheese mixture. Serve.

Aglio Olio

Also called "Hot Spaghetti"!

This is a recipe I got from my best friend's family.  It is really easy (if you have a food processor or a chopper) and fairly cheap (if you choose to do it without the shrimp).  It's definitely one of my favorite dishes.  Enjoy!

2 carrots
5 cloves garlic
1 sweet onion or 1 bunch scallion
2-3 tablespoons fresh ginger root
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup white wine or vermouth
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 can chicken broth (14 oz)
1 lb pasta of your choice
1 lb cleaned raw shrimp (optional)

Chop fine separately: carrots.  Chop fine together: garlic, onion, and ginger root.  Heat oil in large skillet.  Add chopped carrots, cook gently in oil for 3 minutes.  Add wine, pepper, salt & oregano.  Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.  Add garlic, onion and ginger root.  Cook for 3 more minutes.  Add shrimp and let pink up for 3 to 5 minutes  Add chicken broth.  Let simmer while you cook pasta.  Drain pasta and return to pot.  Add aglio olio mixture.  Stir and serve.

Pigs & a Blanket!

One of my favorite party snacks are pigs and a blanket!  My roommate Allison will make them occasionally.  She likes to put a slice of American cheese in them.  It may be a bit on the unhealthier side but its a good treat to have and reasonably affordable.

Ingredients:
1 package of hotdogs halved
1 package of Pillsbury crescent rolls
American cheese

Directions:
Roll crescent dough around hotdog and American cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Becca's Special

My roommate Becca has been making this typical college concoction for the past three years (ever since I met her).  It is really simple and I think it’s really good.  Here’s the recipe:

Crushed up tortilla chips in a bowl

½  cup salsa

Sprinkle cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese over top

Microwave for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted

Mix together

Chili

Since the weather is getting pretty chilly, I thought I’d give a recipe for some chili.  This is my mum’s recipe.  Enjoy!

Chili

1 lb ground beef
1 lb hot italian sausage
2 28oz cans chopped tomatoes
1 15oz can kidney beans rinsed and drained
1 medium green pepper chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
2 TBS ketchup
2 to 3 TBS chili powder
1.5 heaping tsp instant coffee
4 to 5 jalapeno peppers chopped

Brown meats onion garlic and peppers in olive oil. Add tomatoes, chili powder and ketchup. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour.