Catherine's Recipe Box

Note: It took me about 40 minutes to shuck (shell?) a full cup of pistachios.  I managed to only eat 2-3.  Considering how delicious this was, that was time well spent.  I will probably shell some more and set them aside in bags marked "1cup - not for snacking!" so I can make this again even more quickly.  Beautiful and delicious as well as inexpensive and healthy!  Trifecta+1!  I didn't make any modifications to the original recipe (other than forgetting the salt, oops!), but I am posting this with a few modifications that I think would make it even more marvelous. Ingredients Pesto 1 C Pistachios (shelled) 1/2 a bunch of Basil or Parsley (flat leafed is better) ~4 Tbsp Olive Oil 1/4 tsp Salt 1 clove of garlic ~ 1/4-1/2 C Pasta Water Pasta 8oz of your favorite pasta (something with ridges will help the sauce to stick   4 C vegetables (anything you love! suggestions: cauliflower, broccoli, pea pods, peppers, green beans) Fresh tomatoes (...

Note: Modified from The Packet Queen. We really liked this, so hopefully it will become a new addition to the menu (Sorry, no picture! Will try to get one next time I make this.) The major change that I made was to replace the salsa with crushed tomatoes. I thought it was still very flavorful and much cheaper this way! Ingredients 1 pound of ground beef 1 can of black beans 1 can of corn 1 large can of crushed tomatoes 1 pound of pasta, cooked (any kind you like, but medium sized shells work nice) 1 packet of taco seasoning (or equivalent) 2 cups shredded cheese Sour Cream (for serving) Directions Brown beef in a large skillet(drain grease if necessary). Add in the beans and then the taco seasoning and water (according to packet directions). When the beef is done, add in the corn and half a can of crushed tomatoes. Mix the beef mixture and the pasta together (you may have to transfer to a large bowl if your skillet is not large enough). Add a cup of shredded cheese and stir some...

Note: This is my favourite recipe for Baked Ziti. It's from the side of the San Giorgio pasta box. Ingredients 1 package (1 lb) of Ziti, uncooked 3 cups (about 28 oz jar) of Spaghetti sauce, divided 1 3/4 cups (15 oz) ricotta cheese 2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup of fresh parsley or 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes 1 egg 1 tsp dried oregano leaves 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese Directions Heat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta according to package directions. In large bowl, stir together hot pasta, 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder and pepper. In 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spoon pasta mixture; top with remaining 1 1/2 cups sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 10 servings (1 cup each). Make-ahead directions: Prepare recipe as directed, but do not bake. Cover with plastic wrap, then foil. Refrigerate ...