Rich and Creamy Tortellini

Rich and Creamy Tortellini
serves 6
recipe found in Taste of Home, June/July 2011

Yummy Italian goodness

My grandma had a ton of cooking magazines sitting on her couch when we were visiting earlier this month. There were a ton of awesome recipes so I'll be cooking lots!

• Cook a 9 oz package of refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package directions.
• I also cooked sweet Italian sausage and added to the recipe for more protein.
• In a saucepan, saute 2 minced garlic cloves in 4 tsp. butter for 1 minute.
• Stir in 4 1/2 tsp. flour; slowly add 1 cup of milk and bring to a boil.
• Add 15 oz. jar of marinara sauce, 4 oz. cubed cream cheese, 2 sliced green onions, salt and pepper.
• Cook and stir until cheese melts.
• Serve over tortellini.

Karl's reaction: "Nice and fluffy babe. I like."

My take: I know this isn't the healthiest but I really liked. I guess it's better than going to Olive Garden...

Tweet

Read More

Seared Skirt Steak with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes

Easy Steak Salad
serves 4
recipe found in Women's Health January/February 2011

Yummy steak salad with loads of flavor!

2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 TBS balsamic vinegar
4 cups arugula
12 oz skirt or flank steak
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
I added feta crumble too

1. Heat the oil in a cast-iron or stainless-steel pan (or grill pan) on medium high. When the pan is very hot, season the steak with a few pinches of salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Cook the steak for 3 to 4 minutes a side, until it's caramelized and slightly firm to the touch. Remove it to a cutting board.

2. While the steak rests, lower the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and garlic to the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is lightly browned. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for 2 more minutes, until the skins of the tomatoes start to split. Remove the pan from the heat; add salt and pepper.

3. Slice the steak thinly against its grain. Divide the arugula between two plates, top each pile with the steak slices, and pour on the tomatoes and pan drippings.

Karl's reaction: "It's OK. I just have a thing with cherry tomatoes..."

My take: I thought this was excellent. Easy. Tasty. HEALTHY!

Tweet

Read More