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Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Ingredients

  • 8 tomatoes (ripe, Roma plum, chopped) 
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced) 
  • 1/2 red onion (chopped)  
  • 6 basil leaves (fresh) 
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil  
  • Salt (optional, to taste) 
  • Pepper (optional, to taste) 
  • 1 loaf French bread (Italian or, cut into 1/2 inch diagonal slices) 

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 °F.
  3. Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil and olive oil in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional). Set aside.
  4. Arrange bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake about 5 – 7 minutes until it begins to brown slightly.
  5. Remove bread from oven and transfer to a serving platter.
  6. Serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with a serving spoon and let everyone help themselves. Or place some on each slice of bread before serving. If adding the tomato mixture yourself, add it at the last minute or the bread may become soggy. 

Makes 12 servings

Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet potato, peeled
  • 2 turnips
  • 2 carrots
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced (1 teaspoon powder)
  • 1 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc.) Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Nonstick spray
 

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds. 
  2. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  3. Spray a baking sheet (any size) with nonstick spray.
  4. Wash vegetables and cut into 1-inch chunks.
  5. Place vegetables in a bowl and toss with oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
  6. Spread vegetables on a baking sheet.
  7. Bake at 450°F for 30-45 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.

Makes 4 cups, 4 servings

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dry macaroni, shells, or other small pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons margarine, butter, or oil
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pureed butternut squash (10 ounces frozen butternut squash heated and pureed)
  • 1 cup low-sodium broth
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic (1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup low-fat milk
  • 1½ cups low-fat shredded cheese

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. If butternut squash is not cooked and pureed, cook it until tender, then puree in a blender or mash with a fork until smooth.  
  3. In a large skillet, electric skillet, or saucepan, melt margarine or butter, or add oil on medium high heat. 
  4. Once heated, add flour. Stir until combined and flour begins to brown, about 2 minutes. 
  5. Add butternut squash, broth, garlic, and black pepper. Stir until combined and heated through. 
  6. Lower heat to medium. Add milk. Heat, whisking constantly, until combined and warm. 
  7. Add cheese and stir until cheese is melted. 
  8. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until pasta is completely coated and heated through. 

Makes 9 1-cup servings

Pesto Pizza

Ingredients

  • ½ loaf Italian or French bread (split lengthwise)
  • ½ cup pesto
  • ¼ mozzarella cheese (low fat, shredded)
  • ¼ cheddar cheese (low fat, shredded)
  • ¼ parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 3 Tablespoons green pepper (chopped)
  • 3 Tablespoons mushrooms (fresh or canned, sliced)
  • ¼ cup spinach leaves
  • Vegetable toppings (other, as desired, optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Toast the bread until slightly brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, top bread with pesto, vegetables and cheeses.
  5. Return bread to oven and heat until cheese melts, about 7-9 minutes.

Makes 2 servings

Note: This recipe can also be made in a toaster oven.

Anytime Pizza

Ingredients

  • ½ loaf Italian or French bread (split lengthwise)
  • ½ cup tomato/pizza sauce
  • ½ cup vegetables- fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed (tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, olives, etc.)
  • ¼ cup spinach leaves
  • ½ cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese (low fat, shredded)
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, or more to taste (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Toast the bread until slightly brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, top bread with tomato/pizza sauce, vegetables, and cheese. Sprinkle on Italian seasoning, if using.
  5. Return pizza to oven and heat until cheese melts, about 7-9 minutes.

Makes 2 servings

Note: This recipe can also be made in a toaster oven.

Green Beans, Cranberries and Nuts

Ingredients

  • 1 8-oz. can of green beans (½ lb. fresh or 2 cups frozen) 
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries 
  • 1½ Tablespoon chopped nuts (such as sliced almonds) 
  • 1 Tablespoon honey (optional) 
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper salt  

Directions

  1. Drain and rinse green beans. If using fresh, snap into 4 inch pieces and cook until soft. 
  2. Add cranberries, honey and nuts and stir well.  Serve hot, sprinkled with choice of seasonings.

Makes 4 servings

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