Spaghetti con Frutti

This is actually my own modified version of aglio olio in that substitute for fresh basil I used spinach instead, and tossed in some grilled chicken breast strips as well as a few fresh green grapes for that sweet and sour note. Delicious!

You will need: (Serves 4)
4 servings Whole wheat spaghetti (or any kind of pasta if you prefer)
3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (the fresher the better)
4 cloves Chopped garlic
1/4 tsp Dried chili flakes
1/4 tsp Fennel seeds
1 tsp Parsley (dried or otherwise)
1 tsp Dried basil
2 cup Baby spinach
1 cup Sliced seedless green grapes (red for more color)
1 whole Grilled chicken breast, with salt and pepper and no skin
Optional: 1/2 cup diced red bell peppers

Sautee olive oil, garlic, chili, peppers, fennel, parsley, basil in a shallow pan. Add in chicken breast and spinach at the last minute. The warm heat will slightly wilt the spinach but that's okay.

Toss it into the drained and cooked spaghetti. Top off with the sliced grapes and serve.

Zuppa Toscana

Ick ... I am addicted to this Zuppa Toscana stuff that Olive Garden makes and I reproduced in our kitchen. Sean does not like it (as usual) but Stewie does! So I share it with the little man.







Makes: 6-8 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale or mustard greens

1. Sautee Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan, sautee bacon, onions and garlic for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
3. Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.
4. Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add heavy cream and cook until thoughouly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage.
7. Add kale just before serving. Delicious!

Lasagna

Grilled Squid

We started the barbecue early because um ... pfft, I do not need a reason.

Spent most of last night cleaning, deheading and deboning the squid. Very icky, something in my head was telling me that I really should have been icked out, but I was not. Sacrifices must be made so that we can enjoy this delicious food!

The smell was divine!

Sean polished off most of them as fast as I could pull them off the grill! It was goooooooooooooooooooood! I -still- smell of grilled squid right now. LOL

We got to the hot dogs, Sean and I had one each then almost fell over from the sheer amount of food. So the kebabs go into the microwave for storage until later tonight. Ha ha ...