Linguine with Picante Sauce

If my husband and daughter had there way about it, picante sauce would almost be served at every meal. So this is another fast and great idea that will save money.

Ingredients:

8 ounces linguine

1 medium onion

1 clove garlic

1 (15-ounce) can black beans

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups canned stewed tomatoes

1/2 cup picante sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

4 ounces finely shredded Colby Jack cheese blend

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Step-by-Step:

Cook pasta using package directions; drain. Rinse with cool water; drain again. Cover to keep warm.

Chop onion coarsely. Mince garlic. Drain and rinse black beans.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion and garlic and mix well. Sauté until onion is tender.

Add undrained tomatoes, picante sauce, black beans, chili powder, cumin and oregano and mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cover.

Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes; remove cover. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, until of the desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Place hot cooked pasta on a serving platter. Spoon sauce over pasta. Sprinkle with Colby Jack. Top with cilantro.

Two Meals in One - Creamy Garden Vegetables with Pasta

Prep Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients:

12 oz. uncooked spaghetti

2 teaspoon oil

2 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced

1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 small onion, cut into thin wedges

3 cups small fresh broccoli florets

1/4 cup water

1 (10 oz) four-cheese pasta sauce

Step-by-step

1. Cook spaghetti to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; cover to keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add zucchini, bell peppers and onion; cook and stir 2 minutes. Add broccoli and water; cover and simmer 4 to 6 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally
3. Place 2 cups of vegetable mixture in container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic bag; refrigerate for Vegetable Frittata
4. Stir pasta sauce into remaining vegetable mixture in skillet. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes or just until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Serve over remaining hot cooked spaghetti.

4 servings

Menu Suggestions:

A nice crusty bread with garlic butter

Reserved vegetable mixture to be used in Vegetable Frittata

Crispy Chicken Parmigiana

Makes 6 servings

·         2 large eggs

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         1/8 teaspoon black pepper

·         6 boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves

·         1 cups crushed club crackers (or Panko)

·         ½ cup vegetable oil

·         1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

·         ¼ teaspoon dried basil

·         1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

·         1 tablespoon butter

·         ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

·         6 slices mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1.      Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray

2.      Whisk eggs, salt and pepper until blended. Dip chicken in egg mixture and coat with cracker crumbs (or Panko).

3.      Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken. Cook chicken until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side; drain. Arrange in a single layer in prepared baking dish.

4.      Preheat the oven to 350⁰F. Wipe skillet with paper towels. Combine tomato sauce, basil and garlic powder in the skillet and mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; reduce heat.

5.      Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickened, about 6 minutes. Stir in butter. Pour over the chicken. Sprinkle with the Parmesan.

6.      Bake, covered, for 30 minutes; remove the cover. Top each chicken breast with mozzarella. Bake for 10 minutes longer.

Chicken-Eggplant Burgers

Onion Relish
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
3 Spanish (red) onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

Burgers
1/3 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
1 Eggplant, very thinly sliced, crosswise
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
Salt
Cayenne
Lettuce leaves
4 sandwich rolls, split

Step-By-Step

1. For the relish, heat the oil in a heavy-based pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 7-10 minutes. Add the sugar and vinegar and simmer for 10 minutes. The relish will keep for 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator. Return to room temperature or reheat before use.
2. Prepare a fire in the charcoal or gas grill
3. Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant slices and cook until golden, 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
4. Lightly brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and cayenne. Grill until cooked through, with no pink remaining in the center, about 10 minutes, turning once. Lightly toast the cut sides of the sandwich rolls on the grill, then brush lightly with the remaining oil.
5.  To serve, place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each roll. Top with chicken, eggplant and relish. Cover with the top half and serve immediately.