Poached eggs with pasta and asparagus

This is super simple, I promise! I cant remember where I got this recipe but Ive made it twice now and it always makes me feel fancy. I would love to make this for company because I feel like it would be an easy, impressive thing to make.

3 eggs

1/2 lb linguine

3 C asparagus, chopped

2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1 T EVOO

1 T butter

parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Boil the pasta as usual and save about 1/2 C of the water before draining. While that is cooking heat the oil in the pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and asparagus until soft and browned. This takes about 6-7 minutes and set aside.

Using the same pan, fill with hot water and bring to a simmer to poach the eggs. I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of this part and I'm kind of bummed so I decided to attach a website for you. I learned online and was excited that it is much easier than I thought. Don't be intimidated, eggs are cheap so practice on a Saturday morning.
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_poached_eggs/


After you drain the pasta throw it back in the pot with the excess water and add in the asparagus with a little bit of butter. I usually would leave out the butter but I figured a little bit wouldn't hurt this time and it was worth it.

Definitely use a slotted spoon for the eggs so you can just transfer the eggs straight to the top of you pasta. Sprinkle with some salt, pepper, and cheese. I think next time I will used shaved parmesan because I just think it looks even fancier, however it was still delicious!

Beef Stroganoff

This dish is one of our favorites by far! I'm sure I will be making this for a long time. I tried to lighten it up a bit and swap out some things for healthier ingredients. I'm still getting used to the whole wheat noodles so I decided to mix both together and it was definatly better than just all whole wheat. They do have lower sodium cream of mushroom soup but honestly it was just something I couldn't swap. It ruined it last time.


1 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs worcestershire sauce
1/2 C light sour cream
1/4 C skim milk
1 onion chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C mushrooms chopped
16 oz whole wheat egg noodles
1 package (1.25 lbs) ground turkey

Looks gross but its SOOO good!

Boil egg noodles and start browning your meat. Season with pepper and add in the onions and mushrooms. Once the meat is cooked add in the cream of mushroom, sour cream, soy sauce, and worcestershire. Add milk to your desired thickness. I always add a little more soy or worcestershire to my liking. That's it! Super easy!  

 

Pasta with asparagus and egg

I got this recipe out of Martha Stewarts Everyday food April 2011 issue. I just thought it looked simple and elegant. As well as something a little different, vegetarian.

Salt and pepper
1/2 lb linguine (I only had angel hair)
1 large bunch asparagus
3 T butter
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
2 eggs

Cook pasta according to package, adding the asparagus in the last minute of cooking. Drain and return pasta and asparagus to pot with butter and parmesan. Toss until coated and add a little pasta water to create a thin sauce. Meanwhile, in a large straight sided skillet, heat 2 in water over medium until a few bubbles rise to the top. To poach the eggs crack each egg into a small bowl and gently pour into skillet. Cook until whites are set, about 4 minutes. Be careful, I overcooked mine and didn't have much a runny egg. With a slotted spoon, transfer eggs on top of pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan if desired.

Spicy Meatballs

Ive discovered that I'm often inspired by date night dinners. Lee and I went to Buca di Beppos and we had spicy chicken rigatoni. Yum! Ive been trying to play with more flavors in efforts to get away from all the salt and cheese. Roaming through the grocery store I noticed some spicy ground sausage on sale. I picked it up and threw it in the freezer for a rainy day.

My sister bought me the coolest Christmas presents. A year subscription to Martha Stewart's Everyday Food Magazine. Picking through my April issue inspired me to follow half of the 'Siracha marinara and meatballs' recipe and be inspired from our rigatoni. I followed the recipe for the meatballs swapping the ground pork for hot sausage.


Meatballs:
1 lb ground HOT sausage
1.25 lb Jennie O ground turkey
2 C fresh spinach chopped in processor (or 10oz frz)
1/3 C dried bread crumbs
2 large egg whites
3/4 tsp dried oregano
salt and pepper
cooking spray
Sauce- can of crushed tomatoes and
1 jar Prego veggie smart smooth and simple sauce
1lb pasta (your choice)

 Place pork, turkey, spinach, breadcrumbs, egg whites, oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper in a large bowl. Get your hands clean and ready to get messy. Meanwhile, start cooking your pasta.

 Roll into 1 in balls and arrange on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until golden brown, 10 minutes, rotating sheet and meatballs halfway through.

Simmer the tomatoes and Prego sauce and then add the meatballs to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Unexpected dinner with the Mother in law!

I got home from work and Lee mentioned that his Mom was stopping by to pick something up on her way home from work. I started to freak out a little bit because I had nothing planned for dinner and was in no mood to cook. He told me not to worry and that she wasn't even going to eat here.

Sure! A knock on the door startles me from my 'recovering from crazy children coma' on the couch. She's 20 minutes early, and one of the first thing she asks us is our plans for dinner. Lee didn't want to go anywhere and she didn't want me to have to cook anything. Of course my wonderful husband said "Joy can just whip something up."

An hour ago I would've been mad at him for saying that. But the way he said it with such confidence made me feel loved and that he trusted my cooking abilities. And so I pulled something out of my back pocket. I knew the ground turkey was already thawed and I went from there...

.5 lb  ground turkey
1 Tbs crushed garlic
2 C asparagus, chopped
2 cans crushed tomatoes with garlic and basil
1 small yellow onion, sliced
1 box tri color rotini (16 oz)

Bring water to a boil and stir in the pasta.  Meanwhile, brown ground turkey, garlic, and onion in the pan. Add the tomatoes and give it a good stir. Add asparagus, cook until tender. Pour sauce on top of pasta and I topped mine with salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.



I was quite proud of myself and even got to use one of my fun serving bowls that I registered for. I also must add that I love my MIL and her laid back nature. She has always made me feel apart of the family. Sadly, my pictures got deleted and I was so excited to share them. Bummer.