Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Manicotti

I intended on boiling the handy dandy boxed noodles but I felt compelled to make the noodles. The last time I did that I just made some simple pasta noodles. When I went to the Googles to find some inspo I saw a technique that I’d never heard of which meant that I obviously have to try it.

Additionally the supermarket only had an insanely large container of ricotta. The Googles said it was easy so I said ‘what the hell?”

And it was!

I’m not writing up a lengthy post. I think the pictures are largely self explanatory. I didn’t use any precise measurements aside from the manicotti and the ricotta, which I’ll link to if anyone feels adventurous.

Fresh ricotta

Fresh manicotti

I winged this meal. I didn’t know what was happening until I was basically ready to assemble.

The following are the components:

I cooked up ground chicken thighs. I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and a bit of chopped garlic and shallots.

Chopped spinach (frozen) and chopped artichoke hearts

I used a can of crushed tomatoes. I seasoned it up with the usual suspects and my personal tricks. Season your sauce as you like or use your usual.

Shredded mozzarella.

I mixed the ricotta with the spinach and artichokes. I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan and crushed red pepper.The rest is just assembly. Make sure you place them seam side down. Bake at 350 until nice and bubbly then make sure your cheese gets nice and melty 😍

This was my first time using this crepe-pasta technique. I did an amazing job with the flavors. I think it’s more suitable for a light recipe. This is hearty. I think I would have preferred an ordinary noodle. Either way this was amazingly yummy!

Worth every step!

🐷.

 

 

 

© 2020 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Orzo “Greek” Pasta Salad

I don’t eat many sides from the grocery store deli but I will always be up for the various Greek pasta salads.

I make this pretty often but my produce usually just reflects what I have on hand. It comes together fairly easily and quickly. It also tastes better the longer everything marries.

Ingredients

Half a box of orzo

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cucumber, finely chopped

1/4 tomato, finely chopped

1/3-1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp lemon zest (optional)

1/2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tsp chopped cilantro (optional)

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried mint

Salt and pepper, to taste

Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Chop your veggies

Boil and drain your orzo, rinse under cold water.

Combine dressing ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Combine all ingredients plus dressing. Toss with a wooden spoon or a spatula.

© 2019 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Peach Pico

This isn’t a precise recipe. It can easily be scaled up for a larger amount. This yielded me about two cups which was more than enough for our dinner tonight.

Taste as you go and adjust to suit your preference. If you have a good peach, your pico should be plenty sweet.

You can easily substitute in other fruits like mango or pineapple!

Combine gently in a large mixing bowl:

1/2 large tomato

1 ripe peach chopped

1/4 chopped medium red onion

1/8 c chopped cilantro

1/2 small jalapeño chopped (seeded if you don’t want it too spicy)

1/4 habenero chopped (ditto)

Zest of half of a lime

Juice of a lime

S&P

Sugar/honey/agave as needed if it isn’t sweet enough

Use as dip or on top of some tacos 🐷

© 2019 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Balsamic Gorgonzola String Beans

Hey y’all. This isn’t a precise recipe, but just a quick write up of this yummy side dish. Scale to suit your family’s needs.

 

1 bag of trimmed string beans

Chopped garlic

Butter

Olive oil

Cup of slice almonds

1/8-1/4 c balsamic vinegar

Sugar or honey (optional)

Gorgonzola cheese

 

(If you can multi-task, multi-task. Otherwise, do the reduction first)

In a sauce pan, bring the balsamic vinegar and like a little under a regular spoonful of sugar or honey) to a boil then reduce to a simmer.

Add chopped garlic.

Stirring frequently.

Keep an eye on this, you want it to coat the back of a spoon. If it goes too far it will taste pretty gross.

Remove from heat.

Melt a pad of butter into this and fin.

 

In a large tupperware, add the string beans and just a few spoonfuls of water. Microwave with the lid ajar for 3-4 minutes. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

In a skillet over medium heat add olive oil and then melt butter.

Soften chopped garlic then remove.

Increase heat to medium high.

Add drained string beans ands season with salt and pepper.

Sautee until some start to brown up.

Remove from heat.

Add chopped garlic and some sliced almonds.

Drizzle with balsamic reduction.

Top with more sliced almonds and gorgonzola cheese.

 

© 2019 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Quinoa, Chickpea and Feta Salad

This is one of my go-to salads. I am obsessed with all things feta. I’d eat it by the handful, tbh. I often do variations of this based on what I have in my house at the time. This salad can be served warm or cold. Sometimes you just crave a big colorful bowl of veggies. Feta and balsamic go together beautifully.

Some optional add ins:

• cucumber
• zuchinni
• squash
• fresh basil
• fresh mint
• fresh oregano
• tofu
• chopped chicken if you absolutely need meat

Ingredients:

• 1 can of rinsed and strained chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
  • you can use a cup of halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 cup of fresh spinach
• 1 cup (measured uncooked) quinoa
• 1 cup of feta
• 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar (optional, I love vinegar)
• 1 tbsp of balsamic dressing
• Seasoning, to taste:
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • crushed red pepper
  • crushed mint
  • oregano

1. Prepare your quinoa
   • I prepare my quinoa the same way I prepare my brown rice: LIKE PASTA! Boil it to your desired doneness and then drain in a strainer. Boom!
2. Chop your veg
3. Measure out your seasoning
4. Add to a large bowl
5. Add cooked quinoa
   • The cooked quinoa will warm the salad and wilt the spinach
6. Add seasoning
7. Add dressing(s)
8. Toss
9. Serve warm or cold

 

Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries

I wanted a really yummy side for this meal that I’ve been daydreaming about for a week (post coming soon). I wanted something crunchy, but after the holiday, I couldn’t bear the thought of something heavy or deep-fried.

 

Enter crispy, baked zucchini fries. Now, before you raise and eyebrow- these were so delicious I haven’t stopped talking about them. However much you plan to make? Double that. Freeze what’s leftover and thank me later. I bet you you’ll love them and I bet you’ll use these techniques on whatever veggies you have laying around (string beans, peppers- hello!)

 

You want to season the fries generously. You will be doing the three-stop dredge (flour, egg, panko). Instead of frying these, we will line them on a baking rack on top of a cookie sheet and bake them on high heat until crispy and golden brown.

 

These taste so good you will forget that they are good for you! Low-carb, baked vegetables.

 

Insert heart-eye emoji.

Throw in the pig emoji too.

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Ingredients:

(This recipe can easily be scaled up or down, there are very few precise ingredients here. This is just what I did for dinner tonight.)

 

1 large green zucchini

1 large yellow zucchini

Flour

Egg

Panko

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Paprika

Cooking spray or olive oil

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1. Pre-heat your oven to 425.

2. Cut the ends off of your zucchini.
3. Cut the zucchini in half.
4. Slice them length wise into about four slices ¼” to ½” thick.
5. Slice these into about 3-4 “fries”.
6. Place your “fries” into a container and season them generally.
7. Allow them to rest as you continue to prep your dredging station. Flour, panko and egg are not measured. I eyeball it. But always, ALWAYS use less than you think you will need. You can always add more if you need it. However, if you use too much you’re not pouring that flour back or that panko back into the containers. That’s gotta go in the trash. I try to minimize waste where I can. Use less, you can always add more-rule of thumb. Note: Liquid will likely accumulate in the zucchini container due to the salt; if so, simply drain the liquid.

8. A few at a time, place the “fries” into the flour and coat evenly.
9. Then place them in the egg and coat evenly.
10. Toss them in the panko and coat evenly. Press the panko gently into the “fries”.

11. Place them on the baking rack until you are ready to go.
12. (Note: if you do a large amount, these can be frozen (and kept frozen) until you are ready to use them. If you are baking these from the freezer, simply follow the remaining steps. Do not thaw.)

13. Before baking, spray generously with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Optional: sprinkle with sea salt or coarse kosher salt.

14. Place the baking rack on top of a cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

These are best fresh, piping hot from the oven.

© 2017 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

 

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing and Crispy Garlic

One of my favorite ways to eat vegetables is RAW! You don’t have to cook everything and they’re just as delish. Last year I came across a recipe that called for shaved brussel sprouts. I was a strictly roasted-garlicky type of girl but that changed that evening.

I grabbed a bag of sprouts at the market last weekend and I was reluctant to just toss them in the oven. This week has been full of balsamic, so it seems, and I continued with this recipe.

It’s pretty quick and you customize it as you wish! Add carrot, nuts, herbs- use what you have! 

Note: I made a small batch, you can easily adjust this to make a larger batch.

 

2 1/2 cups of whole brussel sprouts, shaved on a mandolin slicer

4-5 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 tbsp of olive oil

 

Dressing: (again, this was a small batch- if you need help making a larger portion, shoot me a comment)

1/8 cup of olive oil (plus leftover from the garlic)

pinch, each, of kosher salt, pepper and crushed pepper

tsp of dijon

tbsp of honey

2-4 (matter of preference) balsamic vinegar

 

Using your mandolin slicer, carefully shave your brussel sprouts. (If you’re like me and you hate to waste food, pop the stumps into a ziplock bag and toss them in the freezer. Use them the next time you make veggie broth!)

Preheat a pan over medium-low heat, add your olive oil and your garlic.

Stir frequently. Do not take your eyes off of the garlic, it can burn quickly. Browned garlic? Big yes. Burned garlic? You’ll never forgive yourself.

Once the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon. The garlic will crisp up!

In a small tupperware container, or a Mason jar, add the dressing ingredients (don’t waste that leftover oil from your garlic. It is loaded with garlic flavor, add that in too!!). Shake up thoroughly. Easiest way to make a dressing, hands down.

Pour over your shaved brussels and toss to coat.

Serve  topped with the crispy garlic.

Thank me, later!

 

NOM!

 

 

© 2016 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Veggie-Packed Spicy Sausage Lasagna Rolls

Lasagna is one of those meals that you whip up and you know you won’t have to worry about dinner for a couple of nights. It’s also one of those meals that allow you to load up on veggies! If you punch up the flavor, even the most anti-veg person will devour a serving or few.

 

Yields 15 lasagna rolls

 

Ingredients:

Box of lasagna noodles

5 Spicy Italian sausage

small yellow onion

half of a green bell pepper

1 large zucchini

3 large carrots

1 pack of frozen chopped spinach

pint of reduced fat ricotta

4 cloves of garlic

Garlic powder

Italian seasoning

Kosher salt

Crushed pepper

Your favorite tomato sauce

Your preferred shredded cheese

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375
2. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
3. Boil the lasagna noodles.
4. Using a mandolin slicer, create zucchini ribbons and carrot ribbons
5. Defrost spinach
6. Brown your sausage or other ground meat (this could be a omitted for a completely vegetarian recipe)
7. Add chopped garlic, onion and pepper, cook until just softened, season with salt and pepper.
8. Drain your noodles, should be al dente
9. Remove the meat and veg from the pan and drain in a strainer or a paper towel
10. Drain spinach, season with salt, pepper and about 1 tsp garlic powder.
11. Season ricotta with 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt and a pinch of crushed pepper, mix to combine
12. Take one noodle and “paint” ricotta mixture using a spoon or a spatula
13. Lay carrot ribbons, sprinkle spinach, sprinkle meat mixture and top with cheese
14. Tightly roll the noodles up
15. Nestle a zucchini ribbon overtop, repeat until your pan is full. My pan was 13×9 and that fit 15 rolls. Lightly sprinkle kosher salt over your ribbon-wrapped rolls. 
16. Top with your favorite tomato sauce (I used 2 parts canned diced tomato and 1 part canned crushed tomato that I seasoned it up using my go-to’s: kosher salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, Italian seasoning, pinch of sugar and a dash of fish sauce).
17. Generously top with your preferred shredded cheese
18. Bake covered with foil for 45 minutes then uncovered until bubbling and the edges start to brown.

 

 

 

© 2016 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved