mmmmm: trader joe's bruschetta pasta

i am borderline addicted to trader joe's. there are just so many wonderful things to try! this dish is a family favorite, a huge hit with guests and makes for delicious left-overs. it is also ridiculously easy to make--ready in less than 15 minutes! try it and let me know if it becomes a favorite in your house as well. 


ingredients:

1 box/bag of pasta (you pick). note: tonight i made it with gluten free rice pasta and it was delish!

1 container of the trader joe's fresh bruschetta sauce (you can find it in the refrigerated section near the cheeses and hummus). note: i sometimes make this dish with 2 containers, but it's pretty saucy.

1 container of small mozzarella balls, quartered (you can use two if you are a cheese fan).

1/2 cup of fresh basil, cut. 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

salt + pepper to taste


directions:

boil water and add some salt to flavor the pasta. then add the pasta and cook as directed.

open mozzarella containers up, drain, quarter and set aside. cut up the basil, and set aside. open bruschetta container (you can choose to heat it up a little, if you wish.

as soon as you drain the pasta, add all the ingredients and serve immediately. the heat of the pasta will heat the sauce and cheese. add salt and pepper to taste. if you decide to cool the pasta before adding ingredients, this dish is excellent cold.
note: i have made this dish with chicken before and it is fantastic.

mmmmm, mondays: pumpkin-spice muffins

 

this is the easiest recipe ever! it literally has two ingredients and can be made in a snap. my kids devour these and they are actually pretty good for them. my good friend shared this recipe with me that she had found from somewhere or someone. apparently it is a weight-watchers recipe as well and is only two points per muffin. i wish i knew where to give credit but, unfortunately, we'll just have to thank whomever came up with this fun, fall recipe. enjoy!

pumpkin-spice muffins

1 box spice cake mix

1 small can of pumpkin

mix the two ingredients well. this will take some time as the spice cake mix sometimes takes a while to break down into the pumpkin. spray or line a muffin pan. spoon mixture into muffin pans and bake per the package directions for cupcakes on the spice cake box. cool and enjoy!

mmmmm, mondays: orzo pasta with prosciutto & basil

orzo pasta with prosciutto & basil

this is *such* a yummy pasta! the best part is that you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand. don't have prosciutto? use some chopped up grilled chicken or steak. don't love mushrooms? use another veggie that you love. have fun with this! there really is no way that you can mess it up. cook the orzo and your veggies and then mix them all together. SO good!

ingredients:

1- 12 oz box of orzo pasta

2T olive oil

1 package sliced mushrooms

1 c. shredded parmesan cheese

1 c toasted pine nuts

1/4 c chopped, fresh basil 

2 cloves of garlic, minced

6-8 slices of prosciutto

salt and pepper

instructions:

cook orzo as package directs

heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat

add garlic and mushrooms and cook for approx 10 minutes until cooked through then reduce heat to low. 

while mushrooms are cooking, toast pine nuts and set aside.

drain pasta. add to skillet with pine nuts, chopped basil, prosciutto and parmesan cheese. season with salt and pepper. 

serve with additional cheese and chopped basil, if desired.

(this is in the skillet, before the pasta was added)