A recipe for Spring Break!

Last morning at the beach before heading home to cold KS temperatures...burrr!

 We spent the last few days in Florida, catching up on our vitamin D after a long winter without much sunshine. We had a great day at a water park in Orlando, then headed south to Ft Lauderdale to hang out on the beach. The resort was beautiful and the weather was perfect.
Besides being beach bums,
Doug and the boys, minus Drew who was at school,
rented jet skis, and we went on a dinner cruise during which we viewed some amazing homes and incredible yachts that I describe a small cruise ships....WOW! We had a good time and are refreshed and ready to face the rest of the school year...the end can't come soon enough for Caleb who will graduate high school and
 Jonah who will be leaving Jr Hi behind. 

Bring on summer!

 

View from our balcony.

I was really dreading our first trip without all 5 of us. I missed having Drew with us, but realize that the trips we do have all together in the future will be all the more special. 
I'm already looking forward to our trip to New York this summer.

Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic

I am bumping this recipe up for Lent, and it now has pictures...hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Here's who we invited to the party, pasta, olive oil, salt and pepper, broth, parmesan, tomatoes, basil and garlic

1 lb angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, I really like fresh, 1/2 tablespoon, minced
4 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups fresh tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth during Lent
5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Start a large pot of water for your pasta, have everything ready to go, this dish goes together pretty quickly.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet. When hot, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tomatoes start to break down.

Add hot, drained pasta to skillet and toss well. I have found that I don't need all the cooked pasta. This is a good reason to add it to the skillet instead of pouring the sauce over the top. I usually use about 3/4  of the amount called for.

Add chicken (or vegetable) broth and stir. You can add more broth if you need to without compromising the finished product, just don't go overboard!

Transfer to serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese.

even using 3/4 of the pasta, it makes a lot!

*Great dish to use up abundant summer tomatoes.

**Grill some chicken breasts to go with it for a real treat.

Get the good Parmesan, you won't even miss the meat...

This makes a great Lenten dish. I have read that it is okay to use chicken or beef broth when cooking on meatless Fridays, however, I choose to play it safe and use vegetable broth. I bought vegetable bouillon and it works great! This is also good during the summer when the tomatoes are fresh from the garden, and you grill up some chicken breast outside to serve with it......heavenly! 

Ravioli Casserole

Warning!

For those of you who don't like cheese, this recipe is NOT for you! 

If you do like cheese you've come to the right place....go get your shoes on NOW because as soon as you see this recipe you will want to run to the store to buy some cheese ravioli to eat during the Fridays of Lent...and maybe even a Saturday!

3 simple ingredients!

1 package frozen cheese ravioli

1 can/jar your favorite marinara sauce

8 ounce block mozzarella cheese, shredded

*Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook ravioli according to package directions, drain.

Place ravioli in a 9 X 13 inch casserole dish.

Pour marinara sauce over cooked ravioli.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over all.

Bake in a 350* oven for 20 - 30 minutes until hot and bubbly and cheese is all melted. 

*Serve with Parmesan cheese for those real cheese lovers*

"this is a real sacrifice" ---- Caleb as we sit down to dinner!

All you need is some bread and a veggie to have a good filling meal that fits the bill for a meatless Friday during Lent.

 

I started making this a few years ago during Lent and it is always one I know I can make and everyone will like it. As you can see it is super simple, doesn't take many ingredients and comes together pretty quickly.