Field Roast Sausage, Pepper and Onions with Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

This greek orzo pasta salad was quite possibly the best pasta salad I have ever constructed!  That's probably an exaggeration you say because this is a food blog?  Nay!  Truly, it was excellent.  Couple it with delicious Field Roast sausages, sautéed peppers, onions and mustard and sweet mother of god you have yourself one delicious meal.

Photo Documentation:

The Orzo pasta salad consists of cooked and cooled orzo pasta, feta cheese, chopped green or red peppers, kalamata olives, pine nuts, scallions, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Superb Result!

Rating: 4.9

Double Header Dinners

So you're busy all week long and Thursday Friday comes around as it always does.  You say to yourself, I need something delicious that I can make it less than an hour and be ready to pass out pronto.  Well this is the post for you my friends!

Double header Thursday, Friday suppers on the food blog!

First, we have a three cheese ravioli with light arrabbiata sauce.  Served with a garden salad and toasted garlic bread.  Yeah.

Second night was a simple but delicious tofu chili over jasmine right with a little shredded mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top.  Cheese.

Two quick and tasty meals for the end of the work week!  You're welcome.

Food blog returns!

Testing the low light capabilities of my new phone in our new apartment.  It has been quite a while and I thought what better to come back with that one of my favorite foods of all time!

Bowl of Rubies(pomegranate seeds)

Parmesan Pasta with Onion and Cauliflower

Back in Buffalo for a few day to see my wonderful girlfriend.  Made her this quick and delicious meal before she had to go to work to keep her going through the day.

Bring water to boil.  Add pasta and set timer.  While pasta is cooking saute onions with a little salt and pepper in extra virgin olive oil till they begin to turn translucent.  Add cauliflower and chopped garlic and continue to saute for another 4-5 minutes adding thyme and oregano to taste.

Drain and return pasta to pot,  then pour cauliflower, onion, garlic mixture over the top and stir together.  Put over low heat and add Parmesan cheese slowly, mixing everything together so it melts evenly over the pasta. And voila!  Quick and tasty lunch or dinner!

Rating : 4.1

Homemade Chick Pea Burgers with Spring Mix Greens, Tomatoes, and Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

In a food processor, toss in a big can of chickpeas, some chopped scallions, an egg, 2tbsp flour, olive oil, cumin, peprika, oregano, a little cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.

Scoop out resulting blend and form into patties with your hands.  Heat a little oil in a skillet and Sautee patties till both sides are golden brown. 

While this is happening, chop up half a small cucumber and add to food proccessor with some fresh chopped dill, plain yogurt, a little lemon juice, and chopped garlic. 

Assemble cooked patties with whatever veggies you like in whole wheat pita and keep Tzatziki sauce handy for dipping, sprinkling on top!

Rating: 4.5

Delectable Eggplant Lasagna!

This recipe is a special treat as it takes 3 hours to make between prep and cooking times. 

First broil red bell peppers on baking sheet for 15 min, peel crispy skins, slice into 1/2 inch strips and set aside for now. 

Then reduce oven temp to 350 and brush a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme onto 1/3 inch slices of eggplant and place on baking sheets.  Bake for 20-25 min, until brown and soft all the way through.

While those are baking, chop up some parsley and about 5-6 cloves garlic.  In a medium bowl mix together the parsley, 1/3 of chopped garlic, and some Parmesan cheese with a container of ricotta cheese. (16oz)

After this, heat some oil in a pan and cook onions and remaining garlic then add a jar of store bought sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 min.

When sauce is done, spoon a layer on the bottom of 9x9 in pan, then put down a layer of the baked eggplant, then spoon a layer of the ricotta mixture on top, then the broiled red peppers from earlier, more sauce, and repeat till pan is full.  (3-4 layers depending how thick you make them).  Sprinkle chopped or grated mozzarella cheese over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes.  Amazing!

Rating: 4.8

More Fun Curly Noodles with Broccoli and White Wine-garlic sauce.

Heat up some rich, full flavored extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and toss in a clove and a half of minced garlic till it starts to lightly brown.  Add chopped broccoli and white wine and toss in skillet.  Add crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, rosemary, basil, and just a little thyme to the mix.  Stir in fresh chopped tomatoes and cooked pasta (at this point you may need more white wine) and let simmer for a minute or two till warm throughout.  Serve with more wine if there's any left over at that point!

Optional: Add a tbsp or so butter to sauce when cooking garlic if feeling impulsive.

Rating: 4.2