Terrific Thursday!!! (Pasta With Vodka Sauce)

What a wonderful day today..  It was so pretty out and I had the house to myself for a few hours..  I needed a little alone time and it was nice..  got the house cleaned and then chilled for a bit,  read a little bit and then did a little shopping..  got 2 hummingbird feeders..  have to get them filled and then outside for the hummers..  :)   I decided on Pasta with Vodka Sauce..

Pasta with Vodka Sauce

1 lb pasta
olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c vodka
1 can tomato puree
1 c heavy cream
salt, pepper and red pepper flakes
parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to pkg directions,  reserving 1 c of pasta water..  in a large saute pan heat oil,  add onion and cook about 4 minutes,  add the garlic and cook another 2 minutes.. add the vodka,  cook another 3 minutes,  add the tomato puree and cook about 5 minutes over low head.. add the heavy cream and seasonings..  cook another 5 minutes,  add the parmesan cheese and stir well.  stir in the drained pasta and any pasta water to coat well..  pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with more parmesan.. serve with salad and garlic bread.. 

Can I take a Nap Please?!?! (Chocolate Coconut Squares, Stuffed Peppers)

What a wonderfully rainy, relaxing Wednesday.. I have so much to do still outside but God has a way of changing my plans often.. so I try to just roll with it..  the outside isn't going to go anywhere,  but I am the type of person that wants it all done yesterday not tomorrow..  so I have enjoyed my day,  been a little lazy,  did some cleaning and then went into the kitchen and started baking..

Chocolate Coconut Squares..

1 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c flour
3 tbsp cocoa
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c coconut

Frosting
2 c powdered sugar
3 tbsp cocoa
4 tbsp half and half
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar until creamy,  add the eggs one at a time and beat well,  add the vanilla...add the flour and cocoa and mix well..  spread into a 9x13 inch greased pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes..
While it is baking mix the milk and coconut in a bowl..  spread over the chocolate layer and place back in the oven for 15 more minutes..  make the frosting,  mixing well to get out any lumps..  spread over the coconut layer while it is still warm,  let cool.. cut into squares and serve..

Stuffed Peppers

5 Peppers,  any color you like
olive oil
1 onion, chopped,
chopped tops from peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 lb ground beef, turkey or chicken
Worcestershire sauce
2 c brown instant rice
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 c water
salt and pepper
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Parmesan cheese

Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the membrane and seeds from the inside..  Place in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes.. remove and place in a 9x12 baking dish,  in a large saute pan heat the olive oil,  add the onions and peppers and cook about 5 minutes,  add the garlic and mushrooms and cook another 3 minutes..  add the ground beef and cook until it is not longer pink,  add the Worcestershire sauce and cook for about 5 minutes.. add the brown rice and toast for a cpl minutes then add the tomatoes and water,  adding more Worcestershire sauce and the seasonings..  let cook for about 10 minutes and then add the Parmesan Cheese.  stir and spoon the mixture into the peppers.. if you have to much filling spread it around the outside of the peppers and then top with a 15 oz can of tomato puree or sauce..  spreading around and sprinkle more of the Worcestershire sauce on top..  Bake in a 325 degree oven for about an hour and top with some grated Mozzarella cheese.. serve with a salad and some bread..
 

Happy Beautiful Saturday, and it just happens to be Cinco De Mayo.. (Key Lime Pie, Chile-Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Guacamole)

What a glorious Saturday..  We are having Munchkin time and loving it..  She helped me plant my Lavender this morning..  she claimed one,  so I have to make sure it has pretty flowers..  got some new sexy shoes today..  and I love them..  wearing them now..  lol  So since it is Cinco De Mayo I decided to do a Mexican themed dinner tonight..  plus who doesn't love Mexican food.. 

Key Lime Pie

2 c graham crackers
1 stick butter, melted
3 tbsp sugar

Mix all together and press into bottom and up sides of a 9 inch deep dish pie plate..

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can frozen limeade, thawed
2 c whipped cream

Mix all together and pour into crust..  place in freezer and freeze for 6 hours..

Chile-Chicken Enchiladas

2 cans enchilada sauce
2 chicken breast, boiled and shredded
1 1/2 c Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1 c sour cream
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chiles
1 pkg flour tortillas
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch  glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce in bottom of baking dish. In medium bowl, stir together chicken, colby Jack cheese, sour cream and chiles.  Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas and place seam sides down in baking dish. Top with remaining  sauce. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; cover baking dish with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 35 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until hot and cheese is melted. Top with avocado or green onions. If desired, serve with lettuce, chopped tomato and additional sour cream.

Spanish Rice

1 small onion, chopped
olive oil
1 c rice
2 c salsa or tomatoes with chilis

In a saucepan cook the onion until tender,  add the rice and toast..  add the salsa or tomatoes,  bring to a boil,  stir, reduce heat and cover and cook for about 20 minutes.. fluff with fork and serve hot

 Refried Beans

olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cans pinto beans, drained,  but reserve juice
taco seasoning
salsa
mozzarella cheese

In large skillet heat the oil,  add the onion and cook until translucent.. add the beans and some of the juice,  mash with a fork or potato masher and cook adding more juice as needed.. add the seasoning and the salsa..  stir occasionally,  serve hot with shredded mozzarella cheese.. 

Guacamole

4 large avacados
2 tomatoes, diced
juice from 1 lime
1/3 to 1/2 c salsa
salt and pepper

Halve the avacados and remove the pit,  cut with a sharp knife in a dice and remove with a spoon..  put into bowl and squeeze the lime over the avacado,  add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and salsa,  mix well and serve with your favorite tortilla chips..