Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sausage & Penne Marinara

OK this was delicious! I've tried some variations on this basic recipe but THIS had everything right where the other's lacked. I used a chicken sausage with spices and cheese in it. I don't know who makes it, but I bought it at Walmart. This warmed up amazing the next day for lunch. I also substituted sweet red peppers for the green peppers. Make this soon!




  • Sausage & Penne Marinara

  • 2-1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, halved and sliced
  • 1 medium green pepper, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper in oil over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings; heat through. Drain pasta; toss with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups (calculated without cheese) equals 299 calories, 13 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 30 mg cholesterol, 853 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 14 g protein.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

MIA

I've been MIA due to the hellish kitchen re-model we undertook a month ago. I haven't been cooking a fraction of what I should be and it's costing us a fortune to eat out all the time. However, the end of the re-model is in sight and I have an AMAZING new stove to cook my heart out on when we get up and running again.

I also splurged and purchased a Vitamix blender/juicer from Costco this weekend. All it took was watching my 6 y/o drink every single thing the Vitamix rep made with more vegetables than this kid has seen in his ENTIRE life. He drank it up faster than she could throw spinach, cabbage, zucchini, mushrooms and fruit in. Holy smokes. That was all it took. Sold. So I'm going to post some smoothie/juice recipes along with the usual ones for your viewing/eating/consuming pleasure. I'm hoping that not only will it get veggies in my little one's diet but it'll help me shed some unwanted pounds in the process.

Stay tuned!