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Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

The artichokes and sundried tomatoes mixed with Italian sausage make tasty and quick pasta dish. Ingredients: 8 oz sundried tomatoes julienned and drained 1 pound Italian sausage ground 8 ounces artichoke hearts (drained) (I chopped these in a food processor) 2 large garlic cloves 2 

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

These burgers have an interesting mix of ingredients that meld to create a burger you won’t forget. Ingredients: 1 sweet potato peeled and cubed 2 large carrots grated 1/2 red onion diced 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 cups plain hummus 6 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto 

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

I am not exaggerating when I tell you this pizza was too die for! This was a quick and easy dinner we will certainly make again.

Ingredients:

2 pounds frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined) thawed

1 refrigerated pizza crust (I prefer thin crust)

4 ounces of butter

zest and juice from 1 lemon

6 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1/4 cup grated parmesean

1/4 cup shredded parmesan

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  3. Roll out the dough on the baking sheet.
  4. Add butter, lemon juice and zest, garlic, parsley, and grated parmesan to a food processor. Pulse to mix.
  5. Spread half of the butter mixture over the crust.
  6. Arrange the shrimp on top of the crust.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining butter mixture over the shrimp.
  8. Sprinkle shredded parmesan over the shrimp.
  9. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  11. Enjoy!
Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

I have been making a different variety of nursing cookies each week since returning to work. This week I added a chocolate caramel shakeology package and dark chocolate cookies to make these scrumptious and nutritious. Ingredients:1 1/2 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour1/2 cup 

Enchilada Lasagna

Enchilada Lasagna

This dinner is the perfect combination of flavor from chicken enchiladas with the texture of a traditional lasagna. You can make this as spicy or as mild as you would like. Ingredients: 6 lasagna noodles 2 chicken breasts diced 1 bell pepper diced 1/2 sweet 

Lasagna Caprese

Lasagna Caprese

If you are looking for a tasty twist to lasagna this is a simple dinner to prepare. I really enjoyed the pop of flavors from the basil and balsamic syrup in this dish.

Ingredients:

2 packages fresh ravioli (I used spinach ricotta, and basil pesto filled ravioli)

2 cups half and half

4 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon Italian blend seasoning

1/2 cup grated parmesean

1/2 cup Italian blend shredded cheese

4 plum tomatoes sliced

1/2 cup fresh basil

2 tablespoons balsamic syrup

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions:

  1. Cook ravioli according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Add half and half to a saucepan with garlic and seasoning blend. Bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat to a simmer and add grated parmesean. Allow to reduce until sauce begins to thicken.
  4. Add Italian blend shredded cheese and stir in to allow it to melt with the sauce.
  5. While the sauce is thickening arrange ravioli in the base of a 9×13 dish. I alternated my two different types of raviolis in rows.
  6. Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the ravioli and spread it out to cover evenly.
  7. Place sliced tomatoes on top of the sauce and drizzle with balsamic syrup.
  8. Spread out fresh basil around the sliced tomaotes.
  9. Cover with shredded cheese.
  10. Spray aluminum foil with nonstick olive oil spray and cover.
  11. Bake covered for 20 minutes with foil removed for 10 minutes if cooking immediately. If cooking after refrigertaing bake for 45 minutes at 375 with foil and 10 minutes without foil.
  12. Allow to set for 5 minutes before dishing up.
  13. Enjoy!
Meat Lover’s Quiche

Meat Lover’s Quiche

This meal works for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or even a dinner. I included breakfast sausage and ham in my quiche. You can also add cooked bacon if you want some extra crunch. Ingredients: 1 refrigerated pie crust 1 pound ground breakfast sausage 12 slices 

Tortellini and Pepper Skillet

Tortellini and Pepper Skillet

This is a quick dinner you can throw together in no time. Feel free to use any flavors of ravioli or tortellini you like. I used a spinach and ricotta ravioli and chicken prosciutto ravioli. Ingredients: 1 green bell pepper diced 1/2 sweet onion diced 

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup

If I am being honest I am not really a fan of chicken noodle soup. I know most people love it, but it tastes bland and boring to me. However, I appreciate the benefits of soup when you are feeling under the weather. I saw this recipe and thought it would be a tasty twist on chicken noodle soup. The results were amazing! This soup is full of flavor and still contains the nutritional benefits of a more traditional chicken noodle soup.

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breasts

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

4 scallions (white and greens separated)

1-2 teaspoons fresh or powdered ginger

2 garlic cloves

2 cup unsalted chicken broth

6 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

8 ounces egg noodles

1 bell pepper diced

1 zucchini diced

Optional: 5 ounces baby spinach

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions and set aside.
  2. Heat the sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat with the scallion whites, ginger, and garlic for 1 minute.
  3. Add 4 cups water, chicken broth, chicken breasts, teriyaki sauce, and salt. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for 7 minutes.
  4. Remove one chicken breast at a time and shred. Then add shredded chicken back to the pot.
  5. Add squash and peppers. Allow soup to continue to simmer for 5-10 more minutes to soften the peppers and squash.
  6. Add the egg noodles and mix well to combine.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Divide soup to individual bowls and top with green parts of the scallions.
  9. Enjoy!
Oatmeal Raisin Lactation Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Lactation Cookies

Originally I made these cookies to give my milk supply a boost after returning to work with my youngest son; however, these cookies can be enjoyed by anyone. If you just like oatmeal raisin cookies you can enjoy these without the brewers yeast and flax