Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce

1 Box Barilla Plus Penne
1 pound Turkey Italian Sausage
1 Can (16oz) Crushed Tomatoes
1 Cup Vodka
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
1 small onion minced
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1-2 tsp crushed red peppers
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tbs EVOO
Parmesan cheese

In large pot cook pasta according to box.

In large skillet brown sausage till completely cooked (if links, slice first) removed sausage. Over medium heat add EVOO, onions, thyme and crushed pepper, cook 5 minutes till onion is tender. Add garlic cook another one to two minutes. De-glaze pan with Vodka, reduce in half. Once Vodka has reduced by half add crushed tomatoes and sausage, simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in Buttermilk bring back to a boil, remove for heat toss with Penne. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, serve with toss salad. Enjoy!

Mmmm... Tuna Noodle Casserole!

I'll be the first to admit, I am not a big fish eater. In fact the only fish I will eat besides shellfish is whitefish, and not even all white fish. That being said Tuna is my arch nemesis. I can't stand it and find the smell repugnant. However you smother it with creamy sauce and noodles, I will gobble it up. There is always some solace in a creamy tuna noodle casserole. But we all know that casserole just took all the nutrition from that tuna and squashed it like a bug. Well I am here to put the nutrition and taste back into one of America's beloved casseroles.

2 cans tuna, in water
1 Box Barilla Plus Farfalle pasta
1 bag Birdseye classic mixed vegetable
2 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 small onion
2 stalks celery (including the leaves)
2 tbs whole wheat flour
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons butter (the real stuff here people)
2 slices of 100% whole wheat bread (nature's own)
2 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

While pasta is cooking defrost vegetables and toast bread till super dry and crispy. Dice celery and onions into small pieces saute with butter till tender over medium heat. Approximately 5 minutes. Add flour, stir for a couple minutes. Add chicken stock bring to a boil, simmer till thickens. Add buttermilk, cream cheese and cheddar cheese, simmer till cheese is melted and sauce is thick. Drain pasta. In the pot you cooked your pasta add veggies, tuna (drained), noodles and sauce mix together. Add mixture to casserole dish. Take toasted bread and crumble over the top. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes till it is piping hot in the middle. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with fresh spring salad. Enjoy!!!

Pizza and wings that are good for you?!?

I will admit I love my pizza and wings, but they don't love me to much. So I am forced to experiment a bit with the flavors of pizza and wings. I will admit this idea was completely inspired by Rachel Ray. She did a Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe that just looked to die for. I thought "man stick that on a pizza and were good". Well I tweaked her recipe a bit and here it is.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

1/2 pound ground chicken
1/4 to 1/3 hot sauce (depending how spicy you like)
1 large carrot
1 small onion
1 stalk of celery
1 1/2 cups 2% mozzarella cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumble (depending on your taste)
1 pre-made whole wheat pizza crust (or your favorite pizza crust)
1 Tbls Olive Oil

In skillet heat olive oil, brown chicken. While chicken is browning with a box shredder grate celery onion and carrot. Add to frying pan, cook till veggies are tender and chicken a done thoroughly. Add hot sauce (if you added a 1/3 cup and still need more spice add a little cayenne pepper, too much heat is never a bad thing)

Layer chicken on top of pizza shell, add mozzarella cheese then blue cheese. Bake 450degrees 10-12 minutes, till crust is done. Serve with a great big green salad. (Here is a little trick to eating salad everyday... go to a restaurant that has your favorite dressing, the one you have to order every time you are there. Ask if you can buy it by the pint. Don't have a favorite restaurant. May I suggest (for you Southerners) Jim N Nick, there Honey Mustard is to die for sweet ans savory with a little kick. If only they would let me in their kitchen) Enjoy!!!