One Skillet Pasta

Can you ever have enough pasta recipes?  Because I'm of the belief that you can't, it's the one versatile dish that gives you endless options and you can bet that you pretty much always have the basic staples in your pantry.

This is another recipe from my new Taste of Home Cookbook 2011, I can't say good enough things about Taste of Home and I can tell you that I don't think I've ever tried a recipe that I didn't like. 

Next time you're serving pasta to your family, try this version.  My children intensely dislike tomatoes and usually pick them out of their food, but not this time, I was surprised to see my little one actually eating the tomatoes on their own.

One-Skillet Pasta

Credit:  Taste of Home

* 1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
* 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Progresso ® Beef Broth
* 1 can (4 ounces) sliced mushrooms
* 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

* In a large skillet, cook the turkey, onion and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
* Add the tomatoes, broth, mushrooms, brown sugar and chili powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Add pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 5 servings.

NOTES:  I left out the mushrooms and I also used just plain spaghetti instead of the angel hair pasta.  

Caramel Apple Gingerbread

Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Lucky Leaf, I was once again sent a couple of their products to try.  You may remember back in July I also tried one of their delicious Flag cakes using the Lucky Leaf Pie Fillings, well now it's all about the Fall and the tastes and smells that bring us so much joy.

I have a few other recipes to try but today I made their Caramel Apple Gingerbread using the Lucky Leaf Apple Pie Filling which I LOVE.  It's the one I turn to when I don't have time to make it from scratch but still want it the pie to be delicious and to taste like it's homemade.

This recipe is super easy and quick to fix but it leaves your home smelling delicious while it's baking.

Caramel Apple Gingerbread

# 1 package (14.5-ounce) gingerbread mix
# 1 can (21 oz.) LUCKY LEAF APPLE PIE FILLING
# 1/4 cup caramel-flavored ice cream topping
# Whipped topping


Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl prepare gingerbread mix according to package directions. Fold the apple pie filling into the batter. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool about 30 minutes. Serve cake with caramel and whipped topping.

Makes 9 servings

Keep an eye out because for the next few days I will be bringing you  more delicious recipes from the Lucky Leaf products, things like Pot-a-cakes and Cherrie Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake.

In the meantime, why don't you head on over to the Lucky Leaf Website and browse through their recipes, they have tons of delicious ones that will definitely leave you smacking your lips.

Thank you to the wonderful folks over at Lucky Leaf for sending me products to sample.  All opinions are mine alone.

Kikkoman "Kikk-ed' up Thanksgiving Giveaway Winners!

Thank you ALL who entered the giveaway, I see there are lot of you out there loving the Kikkoman products as much as I do.  Can't wait to see what you make for Thanksgiving this year.

I used Random.org to pick the two winners and the first place winner is:

#24 -  Tracy ($25 Whole Foods Market Gift Card)

The second place winner is:

#1 - Lorie at Lorie's Corner (two full sized kikkoman products)

Congratulations ladies, I will be contacting you shortly for your information.

Herb & Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Forget any other burger you may think is good, you haven't tasted anything until you've had one of these and no I'm not just saying that.

Juicy, tender, filled with cheese and herbs, it's enough to make you drool, and I did, I must have said "mmmmm and aaahhhh a dozen times in between bites as the filling dripped down my chin.  YUMMY!

I got this recipe from my new Taste of Home 2011 Cookbook filled with amazing recipes which I'll be trying this week too.

Herb and Cheese Stuffed Burgers

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided
2 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
4 hard rolls, split
Lettuce leaves and tomato

In a small bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon mustard; set aside. In another bowl, combine the onions, bread crumbs, ketchup, salt, rosemary, sage and remaining mustard.

Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight thin patties. Spoon cheese mixture onto center of four patties; top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal.

Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear.

Serve on rolls with lettuce and tomato if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

Menu Plan - Week November 1

Monday 1st

* B:  Buttered Toast
* L:  Chicken Soup
* D:  Grabbing take out, with the kids sick I haven't been able to go grocery shopping
* S: 

Tuesday 2nd

* B:  Cinnamon Toast, Juice
* L:  Tuna with Garbanzo Beans
* D:  Herb & Cheese stuffed Burgers w/ Tater Tots
* S: 

Image credit:  Taste of Home

Wednesday  3rd

* B:  Cereal, Milk
* L:  Omelette
* D:  Ranch Mac & Cheese w/ Grilled Sausages
* S:  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thursday 4th

* B:  French Toast Sticks
* L:  Ham and Cheese Sandwich
* D:  One Skillet Pasta
* S:  Popcorn


Friday  5th

* B:  Toast, Coffee, Milk, Juice
* L:  Veggies and Ranch Dip
* D:  Roadside Diner Cheeseburger Quiche w/ Salad
* S:  

Image credit:  One for the Table

Saturday 6th

* B:  Biscuits and Gravy, Bacon
* L:  Pizza
* D:  Pasta Salad w/ Roast Chicken
* S:  Harvest Pumpkin Scones

Image credit:  Rosie's Ramblings

Sunday  7th

* B:  Waffles with Vanilla Custard
* L: Chili Dogs
* D:  Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chili
* S: