Spinach Bacon Pasta

Well, the spinach in my garden is growing great!  I've had my fill of quiche for a bit, so I was looking for another recipe.  Here is a good one that I morphed for us!  Ryan really loved it, and it is super quick (and uses staple items).  You can prep all the items at about the same time (boil the pasta while cooking the bacon), so it is nice and easy.  This does make lots, but we happily ate it as leftovers, either microwaved or made crunchy by frying in a little butter.

Ingredients
14-16 oz package of pasta (penne, rotini, etc.), cooked al dente
1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 large handfuls of fresh spinach (about 5 ounces)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced (or grated on a microplane)
Parmesan cheese to top (about 1/2 cup)

1. In a large sauce pan, toss all ingredients (except garlic and cheese) and cook on medium high.
2. When spinach begins to wilt, add garlic.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Top with cheese and serve.

Irish Soda Bread Wedges

I'm really enjoying making quick breads.  They are super easy, and Ry really likes them!  I got this recipe from Erin at 5 Dollar Dinners.  I won one of her cookbooks, and have loved trying her recipes (although I'm usually paying over $5 with local ingredients and all).  And it is a good way to use up of leftover buttermilk. This recipe goes great with Beef Stew!

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour (I used white and white wheat)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
butter and jam

1. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda.  To remind myself of which I have done, I make little piles of each over the flour, so I know I didn't forget anything.
2. Once sifted, make a well in the center.  Blend in buttermilk.
3. On a lightly floured surface, lightly knead dough and form into a 1 inch thick disk, about 5-6 inches in diamater.
4. Cut the disk into 6 equal wedges.
5. Place wedge of a lightly greased pie pan or other glass baking dish.
6. Bak at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked though.
7. Great with butter, and jam if you wish!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew...

I've been looking for a good beef stew recipe...and one that uses my crock pot!  I felt it was the most Irish thing I could make on St. Patrick's Day, and even found a super easy recipe for Irish Soda Bread (come back tomorrow).  Found this great one, and it gets 2 thumbs up from Ryan!  To bad stew season is almost over...but I will be making this again come the fall!!

Ingredients
2 onions, chopped
1-2 lbs stew meat (1 lb = 4 servings, 2 lb = 6 "meatier" servings)
1/4 - 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups beef broth
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
4 carrots, sliced
1 rib celery, sliced
5 small red potatoes, diced

1. Place onions on bottom of slow cooker.
2. Place meat on top.
3. Combine flour, salt, peppers and paprika.  Coat meat and onions.
4. Add Worcestershire sauce, broth, garlic and bay leaf.  Mix well.
5. Cook on Low for 10-12 hours or High for 4-6 hours, adding vegetables when half done (I don't like "soggy" vegetables so this gives them a little more texture).
6. Stir and serve!

no posts?

Okay, I think I've been in a slump lately...seems like all my new recipes are not turning out how I have hoped!  ugh!!  and the camera isn't working, so double ugh!

I promise, I'm working on it!  Just want to make sure the recipe meets my standards :-)