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.

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

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

Sandwich Time!

Fresh ripe organic tomatoes with organic mozzarella and crushed basil flakes on orgnanic whole wheat bread.  Add a little salt and pepper to taste and it's delicioso!

Rating: 4.3

Quinoa with Citrus and Herb Dressing

Cook quinoa and let cool.  While this is happening chop up onions, cucumber, garlic, feta cheese, fresh mint, and parsley.

Add fresh ingredients to quinoa and stir in then add mixture of olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

Rating: 4.2

Orzo Pasta and Veggie Salad.

Orzo pasta tossed with broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers, and feta cheese.  The dressing is just lemon juice, oil, garlic, and salt.  Super healthy and quite tasty too!

Rating: 3.6

Cheesy Herbed Potatoes

Potatoes and onions cooked with rosemary, peprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Little mozzarella cheese mixed in and the end to pull it all together.

Rating: 4.0

Mozzarella and Cheddar Grilled Cheese with Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup

Rating: 3.8

Home Fries with Eggs and Salsa

Cook onions and potatoes in a bit of olive oil adding basil, rosemary, garlic powder, peprika, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. 

Fried eggs with grated cheddar cheese and salsa.

Optional: Whole wheat toast.

Rating: 3.9

Cheese and Potato Scamble

Homemade home fries with rosemary, thyme, basil, crushed red pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika scrambled together with eggs and sharp cheddar cheese.

Optional: whole wheat toast

Rating: 4.0

Breakfast sandwich time!

Scrabbled eggs, extra sharp chedder cheese, sauteed onions, and salsa on whole wheat toast.

Rating:  3.6

Onion and Cheese Omelette with Spinach and topped with Avacado

Optional: whole wheat toast with vegan earthbalance buttery spread

Rating: 4.3

Extra Sharp Grilled Cheese with Tomato Basil Soup

Two types of extra sharp chedder.

Rating: 3.7

Veggie Eggwhite and Cheese Sandwich on Multigrain Bagel

Suprising flavorless and rather dry.

Rating: 2.1