{pepperoni} Pasta Primavera! Perfect for all those yummy summer veggies sprouting in your gardens!

I love this pasta! And it is so great for all the veggies I have right now laying around!


Ingredients:
12oz Package thin Spaghetti
2 C Sliced yellow Squash; or 1 small zucchini
1 Medium Red/Green Bell Pepper
8oz Broccoli-chopped
1/2 C sliced onion
1/2 lb tomatoes
1 C grated Parmesan Cheese
3 1/2 oz Package Pepperoni Slices
2 tsp. Fresh Basil leaves
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 Tbl Olive oil
3 cloves Garlic
3 Tbl Flour

Instructions:
1. Bring a pot of water to boil.
2. While water is heating, heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
3. Add onion and cook for about 6-7 minutes; then add the garlic and cook another minute. Add tomatoes and cook until slightly bursting, about 5 minutes.
4. Whisk together the milk, parmesan and the flour and add to the vegetables. Bring to a boil and then let simmer until it thickens. It will take about 2-3 minutes.
5. Cook the spaghetti according to the package. During the last few minutes, add the zucchini, pepper and broccoli.
6. Drain pasta and vegetables, and add the warm sauce to the pasta mixture.
7. Toss gently, and sprinkle leftover parmesan, and also the fresh basil to garnish.
                                                                                       

Banana-Zuchini Bread

I have so much Zuchini growing in my garden, I don't know what to do with it! So I have been searching for endless Zuchini recipes. I came across this Banana-Zuchini Bread and it turned out delicious! You can't even tell there is Zuchini in there!



Ingredients:
2 Very ripe bananas
2 Eggs
1/4 C of Honey
1/4 C of Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 3/4 C All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 heaping cup of Zuchini (1 small Zuchini), Shredded
3/4 C Chocolate Chips

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
2. Lightly grease a standard size loaf pan
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix the bananas up until smoothe.
4. Then combine eggs, honey, brown sugar and vanilla and mix until smoothe.
5. Next add the baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
6. Add the flour last.
7. Pour the batter into the loaf pan, and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick will come out clean. Let the bread cool for about 30 minutes before taking it out of the pan.

                                                                                      

30 Minute Cheesy Manicotti!

Tonight I was rushing home from work, trying to think of what to make for dinner that would be quick, and then I though, MANICOTTI!

//servings: 4

Ingredients:
1 package-8 oz manicotti shells
1 pound ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce (I used Prego, herb roasted garlic)
14 pieces of string cheese
1-1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese (for the topping)

Instructions:
1. Boil water over medium-high heat and cook the manicotti shells as directed
2. In another sauce pan, heat the ground beef. Once cooked through, and no longer pink, add the spaghetti sauce
3. Spray a 9X13 pan with cooking spray, and layer half of the meat/spaghetti mixture on the bottom of the pan.
4. Put the string cheese inside the manicotti shells and layer them on top of the meat mixture.
5. Lastly layer the rest of the meat mixture on top of the noodles and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese.

TA-DA! So easy, right!
*Serve with a green salad, and some fruit!
                                                                                       

Easy {Weeknight} Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

This was a super quick, easy meal to make. Also very delicious!

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Bottled Italian Salad Dressing
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Honey
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
2 Tbl Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
4-6 Chicken Tenderloins
8 oz Fresh Cut Green Beans
1 Cup carrot, sliced
1 small Tomato, chopped

Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, stir together the salad dressing, vinegar, honey and red pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add the chicken; cook 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Add half of the dressing mixture to the skillet, turn chicken to coat. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Add the carrots in first to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, and then add the green beans.  Cook and stir for 3-4 more minutes or until tender and crisp.
4. Add the veggies to the chicken in a serving platter. Pour the remaining dressing mixture into the skillet and cook for about 1 minute. Scrape up all the browned bits, and then drizzle the dressing mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Lastly, top the chicken with the diced tomato.

-I also served this with warm rolls

{makes app. 4 servings}


//Adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens
                                                                                       

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE- {BERRY} TRIFLE!

This was FABULOUS! And such a beautiful and delicious way to celebrate the 4th of July!

Ingredients:
1 10 oz Angel Food Cake, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 1/2- 2 pounds of Strawberries
1 pound of blueberries
1 tub of Cool Whip
6 Tbs of Sweetened-Condensed Milk
1 1/2 C cold water
1 Package of White Chocolate Instant Pudding (SO GOOD!)


Instructions:
1. Whisk the condensed milk and the water in a bowl. Whisk in the pudding mix and let it sit for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until it sets; and then fold in the whipped topping.
2. Slice up the angel food cake, and strawberries.
3. Put half of the cake at the bottom of a trifle dish (or deep clear bowl)
4. Next layer some blueberries on top of the cake and then add half of the cream mixture and spread
5. Next add a layer of strawberries, and then the rest of the cake and then the blueberries.
6. Top it off with the rest of the cream mixture and then layer some extra fruit on the top to make it look oh so pretty!
7. Chill in the fridge for about an hour.
YUM!
                                                                                       

Caprese Salad

Have you ever had a Caprese Salad? mmmmm It is DELICIOUS! Make it! Make it now!
                                                                                     

Ingredients:
1 Roma Tomato, sliced
Slices of Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh Basil leaves
Balsamic Vinegar
S&P

Instructions:
1. Take a slice of tomato, put a slice of Mozz on top, followed by a basil leave, and drizzle some Balsamic vinegar over top and add some S&P if desired. DELISH!