Spaghetti with Garlic and Prosciutto

In Italy this simple dish is known as aglio (meaning garlic pasta) and is a popular summer lunch meal with great flavors (even college kids will have these basic ingredients in the house).  After finding a recipe like this I made a few adjustments like the addition of a protein (I use prosciutto but you can use pancetta as well, the difference is prosciutto has more of a salty flavor which goes well with the spiciness of the red pepper flakes and garlic).  Again, this is a very easy meal and very flavorful (Just Good Food) so enjoy and  comment on the blog, ask questions, provide feedback!

Recipe:

16 oz whole wheat spaghetti
4 oz prosciutto (or pancetta)
3 cloves of garlic
3 tbsp olive oil
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (additional for garnish)
tablespoon fresh oregano and parsley (preferred dried will be fine)
salt and pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

First, boil a large pot of water (no need to season with salt, the pasta already has enough flavor I don't understand why chefs think they must do this).  While the water is boiling, warm a large skillet with 2 (of the 3) tbsp of olive oil and mince the garlic and toss in with the fresh oregano and red pepper flakes and cook for about 2 minutes (you don't want to brown the garlic).  I had my meat sliced thinly (you could also do cubed) and cut into tiny bite-size pieces.  After the garlic is cooked toss the meat in the pan and cook until browned (about 4 minutes) continually stirring.  After this is done let sit on low to keep warm until the pasta is done.
Once the water is boiled add the pasta with a little olive oil (this keeps the pasta from sticking).  Once the pasta is done add in a big bowl and pour remaining tbsp or so of olive oil on the pasta and mix well.  Toss in the garlic, spices, and meat with the pasta adding the parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve garnished with fresh parsley, cheese, and additional red pepper flakes.  Very good, and a quick meal at 20 minutes!

French Toast Egg Sandwich

Very Simple but wonderful flavors to start off your morning right!

I woke up the other morning and had some good leftover bread and decided it best to make some french toast!  However, I wanted an egg sandwich too so combined the two into 1 and made an awesome sandwich with a twist!

Recipe:

French Toast: (makes 3 sandwiches)

3 slices of good white bread (french or sourdough)
1 egg
3 tbsp milk or half and half

2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 tsp favorite hot sauce
tsp maple syrup
butter

Remaining ingredients

cheddar cheese
3 eggs (fried)
salt and pepper
hot sauce

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients for the french toast in a widespread tupperware container well (except the butter).
Place each side of the bread in the egg mixture for at least 30 seconds on each side (allowing it to soak longer will make the toast more moist).  The hot sauce adds a little kick but combines well with the sweetness of the maple syrup (perfect!).
Get out a frying pan and spread butter on the pan at medium heat and when hot place the french toast on the pan.  Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (until golden brown).  When the toast is done crack an egg for each sandwich on medium low heat (so you maintain a nice white color on the egg).  Cook the egg for about 3 minutes (just until the egg is fully cooked).
Meanwhile, place a slice of cheese on each piece of toast and melt it.  Lightly salt and pepper the eggs and place one on each piece of toast.  Pour a little hot sauce over the egg and eat with a fork and knife!
Enjoy!

Portobello Mushroom Burger

For all my vegetarians out there here's another favorite of mine.  I got this idea from another blog I read, she incorporates several ingredients into a spread, but I changed up the seasoning and made it easier to make (you'll have all these ingredients at home).  Believe me, the mushroom really soaks up the balsamic vinegar and makes it really juicy, flavorful, and delicious (Just Good Food) making it one of my favorite quick snacks during a busy day.  Enjoy!

Recipe:

1 Portobello Mushroom (The Big One)

2 cloves of garlic (If you love garlic use 2)

2 tbsp good balsamic vinegar

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 tsp paprika (or chili powder whatever you have)

pinch salt

pepper

tbsp goat cheese

mustard

sriracha hot sauce (optional)

good white bread (french or ciabatta)

Directions:

First, get the mushroom and take off the stub part of it and place (the mushroom) in a plate/bowl (Not a cereal bowl but not a plate either something in between) and pour the balsamic and oil over the entire thing.  Mince the garlic cloves and sprinkle on the mushroom along with the other seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika) and rub them all over the mushroom.  Let sit for 20-30 minutes so it really soaks in the flavors (I know this can be difficult to wait but it's worth it).

After waiting, place the mushroom and all the juices in a frying pan turned to medium heat.  You'll cook it for about 4-5 minutes on each side, it will shrink and don't be scared when it darkens but you obviously do not want to burn it so keep an eye on it.

While the mushroom is cooking, cut your bread (make sure it's white because a multi-grain bread will take away from all the yummy flavors of the mushroom) and warm it in an oven for a few minutes at 350.  Then spread goat cheese on one side and a little bit of mustard on the other side.  It is fairly plain because the flavors are so immense and wonderful in the mushroom that I don't want to take away from it by adding tomatoes and lettuce.

Once the mushroom is done cooking, place on the bread and spread a little bit of sriracha, if you please, and enjoy!

Healthy Fettucini Alfredo

What is a food that everyone loves but feels guilty every time they eat it...yup fettucini alfredo.  This is where I got my inspiration from, the fact that everyone loves fettucini but cannot afford to eat it without feeling miserable from the richness of the heavy cream, dense cheeses, and butter.  I thought, why can't I make a great tasting Fettucini using healthy ingredients and make it taste great (That's Just Good Food...right?).

Anyway, I thought this up during class today and made it for dinner, and it tasted great!  We all love fettucini so next time you need a great tasting homey feeling meal make this this recipe and you will never go back to the traditional version.  Enjoy!

Recipe: (serves 2)

2 small chicken breasts
8 oz of whole wheat fettucini
1/4 cup goat cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup plain yogurt (I used low-fat)
1/4 cup skim milk
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper
1tsp flour
1/4 cup reserve pasta water (varies)
1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnut pieces (optional)

Directions: (takes 20-30 minutes)


First, clean the chicken and lightly rub salt and pepper on one side of the chicken at cook at 400 for 5-6 minutes (so it is almost fully cooked through).  Next boil some water to cook the pasta in and turn a large sauce pan on medium heat to cook the 3 minced cloves of garlic in the oil.  Before browned (1-2 minutes) add the goat cheese, milk, and yogurt.  Let the cheese melt and blend together with the other ingredients then add half the parmesan and melt at a low temperature.
Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling and cook for about 10 minutes then focus back on the sauce.  Once the chicken is done, cut into bite size pieces and add to the sauce along with the lemon juice, pepper to taste, pasta water to wanted consistency and flour to offset it as well.

Mix well and let simmer for a few minutes then add the pasta to the sauce and mix well.  Before serving, top with toasted walnut pieces if desired to add a nice crunch to the sauce (if you don't want to add the chicken, the walnuts can be the protein substitution for vegetarians.  I also top it off with hot sauce (but think it's better off without it...) ENJOY!