Pasta with Spinach, Brocolli and Cherry Tomato

Once in the while I have to clean out the fridge. I didnt intend on1 1 making this pasta dish, I had another one in mind, but I dont always buy fresh vegetables, I usually buy frozen, but we had a catering job, and had these foods left over, so I thought, a primavera type pasta on a cold night would hit the spot, and it did. Meal was quick, easy and healthy!
12 ounces pasta(your choice)
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1 lb fresh or frozen spinach
2 cups brocolli
2 cups cherry tomatos
heat skillet with olive oil add garlic on low, saute for 5 minutes - careful not to burn
add spinach if fresh, and saute on low until it begins to wilt
add brocoli and cherry tomatoes
saute together
drain pasta
saute pasta and vegetable together
serve with fresh parmigiano

Roasted Cauliflower

Yum!! I saw this recipe in http://www.skinnytaste.com/, a while back and I thought it looked so good. I am a big fan of cauliflour. I love the taste and I love the versitility. That reminds me of a pizza crust made with cauliflour that is gluten free that I will have to make for the blog. In the
meantime, this is very easy, and super good.

medium cauliflower washed and cut into florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
juice from 1/2 medium lemon
1/4 cup fresh parmesean

preheat oven to 450
in a baking dish mix cauliflower, oil, garlic and lemon
bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown
top with cheese, bake 5 more minutes
serve

pizza Blackbean Burger

Back again, to finish out the calender month/year of cooking on a budget- our blackbean burger. This meal has proven to be one of the most economical and healthy meat replacements we have discovered. Beans are one of the healthiest foods one can eat. They contain high amounts of fiber which is amazing at lowering cholesterol, and protein which is a very needed building block for our healthy bodies, but they are virtually fat free! I like to bake my burgers and then at the end of cooking, I throw them under the broiler to give them that crisp kindof bbq flavor.

1 can blackbeans(drained and rinsed thoroughly)
1/cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp redpepper flakes
1 tsp oregano(optional)
1 cup diced tomatos
4 slices mozarella or provolone cheese

In food processor or blender mix all ingredients except tomatos and cheese
when thoroughly mixed for into 4 patties(I usually like to stick them on a tray and put them in freezer for an hour, so they arent so mushy to work with)
bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 350
top with cheese and tomato and cook another 5 minutes until cheese is meleted
serve with or without bread, if eating with bread or bun, stick to wholewheat and get all the grainy goodness

Rigatoni Al Forno

"oh the weather out side is frightful", "but the food coming from our kitchen is delightful" What a great way to escape from the brutal winter-a little Italian comfort food. Rigatoni Al Forno can actually be made with any pasta noodle, we happen to think tubes or smaller noodles work best, but use what you have or prefer. The dish is simple to make and is great spin on a basic pasta dish.

1 lb pasta
1 can tomato sauce 15 oz
1 can tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 onion diced
2 garlic clove
1 1/2 cup mozarella cheese

for sauce:
heat sauce pan with oil
add onion and saute on medium
add garlic and saute 5 minutes(careful not to burn)
pour in sauce and paste
add in salt and pepper to taste
stir well, and simmer for an hour
boil noodles
drain and transfer to a oven safe baking dish
toss in sauce and coat evenly
add cheese in a layer on top of the pasta
bake at 300 for 30 minutes
for an even crispier effect, place under the broiler for a few minutes on high