Here is my husband's creation born of a visit to our local farmer's market:
Pasta a la Daddy
Ingredients:
1 large crown fresh broccoli
1 bunch asparagus tips
1 bunch Swiss chard
1 can organic petite diced tomatoes
1 box of organic penne or rotini
1 jar Bertolli Mushroom Alfredo
2 cups mozzerella
Clove of garlic (sliced)
Nutmeg to taste
In preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
Drain tomatoes
Wash and dry the chard to remove any dirt or grit.
Wash and cut broccoli and asparagus into bite size pieces.
Starting the process:
Lightly steam asparagus and broccoli.
Saute chard with sliced clove of garlic until wilted.
Add sprinkling of ground nutmeg to chard to taste.
Boil pasta as directed to al dente.
Putting it all together:
Spread 1/3 jar of alfredo into bottom of 9 x 13 pyrex pan.
Layer steamed broccoli and asparagus onto sauce.
Spread tomatoes across broccoli and asparagus.
Cover with one cup cheese.
Pour cooked pasta on as next layer.
Cover pasta with remaining sauce.
Spread sauteed chard over pasta.
Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese over entire dish.
Bake it up!
Place dish, uncovered, in heated oven for 10-15 minutes. Long enough for the cheese to melt and dish to settle into itself.
Remove from oven and serve!
Makes a wonderful, vitamin and protein packed meal that tastes just as good as leftovers! It has become one of our family's favorites!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Being a Veggie Mama!
In a world where meals revolve around meat. "Are we having chicken or steak? Do you want fish tonight?" Many of us are choosing to break loose our ties and create meals based on an idea. The idea that you can exercise creativity and break out of the norm by making meals that, gasp, are centered around those wonderful treats that come in endless varieties; vegetables.
Walking to the farmer's market and supporting local produce, while cutting down on your carbon footprint you can take a look around and pick out the veggies that look delicious already, take them home and make something amazing. And the best part? They great for you!!
My husband and I were vegetarians for nearly two years when we discovered we were pregnant. We were so determined to make sure I ate everything that I needed to make a healthy baby, we tried things we never would have as carnivores. My palate has broadened exponentially since becoming vegetarian. Who knew there were so many amazing things to eat when you don't get stuck on default and eat chicken, beef or fish each night.
My daughter will be two years old this fall and has never eaten meat. But here are some of her favorite things to eat: broccoli, cheese, peaches, raisins, dried papaya, peas, green beans, yogurt, goldfish crackers (whole wheat), dark chocolate, did I mention broccoli?
She eats foods, and relishes them, that many ten year old's won't eat. I know what you're thinking. "Just wait. She's going to turn two and only want junk as she turns her nose up at veggies." But I say, nay. She has always been given good food, so she knows the difference. She's never eaten at McDonald's and rarely had 'fast food' of any kind. She loves the 'good for you' food that keeps her full of energy and her tummy happy! Especially if it comes in the form of Broccoli or Dark Chocolate.
Here's a tip Mamas! My husband takes Quorn cutlets (which is a mushroom based, high protein, no cholesterol, no saturated fat alternative to a chicken breast without the sacrificing of chicken) smothers them in salsa and shredded cheese and bakes them in the oven. You'd think they were coated in chocolate the way this little one chomps away!
The key to getting your kids to eat healthy is creativity! Which sounds like a lot of work, but really doesn't have to be. You'd be surprised what kids will eat if they get to dip! A small container of organic ranch dressing, or melted cheese, and they'll wonder where all their veggies went as they sigh happily over their full tummy!
Walking to the farmer's market and supporting local produce, while cutting down on your carbon footprint you can take a look around and pick out the veggies that look delicious already, take them home and make something amazing. And the best part? They great for you!!
My husband and I were vegetarians for nearly two years when we discovered we were pregnant. We were so determined to make sure I ate everything that I needed to make a healthy baby, we tried things we never would have as carnivores. My palate has broadened exponentially since becoming vegetarian. Who knew there were so many amazing things to eat when you don't get stuck on default and eat chicken, beef or fish each night.
My daughter will be two years old this fall and has never eaten meat. But here are some of her favorite things to eat: broccoli, cheese, peaches, raisins, dried papaya, peas, green beans, yogurt, goldfish crackers (whole wheat), dark chocolate, did I mention broccoli?
She eats foods, and relishes them, that many ten year old's won't eat. I know what you're thinking. "Just wait. She's going to turn two and only want junk as she turns her nose up at veggies." But I say, nay. She has always been given good food, so she knows the difference. She's never eaten at McDonald's and rarely had 'fast food' of any kind. She loves the 'good for you' food that keeps her full of energy and her tummy happy! Especially if it comes in the form of Broccoli or Dark Chocolate.
Here's a tip Mamas! My husband takes Quorn cutlets (which is a mushroom based, high protein, no cholesterol, no saturated fat alternative to a chicken breast without the sacrificing of chicken) smothers them in salsa and shredded cheese and bakes them in the oven. You'd think they were coated in chocolate the way this little one chomps away!
The key to getting your kids to eat healthy is creativity! Which sounds like a lot of work, but really doesn't have to be. You'd be surprised what kids will eat if they get to dip! A small container of organic ranch dressing, or melted cheese, and they'll wonder where all their veggies went as they sigh happily over their full tummy!
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