Tomato Pesto Pasta Dinner

• Set the oven to 350°
• Start the pasta water to boil
• Wrap the french bread in foil and throw it in the oven. 
• Put 1/3 cup of pine nuts in a shallow baking dish and toast in the oven until brown and fragrant
• in a big bowl, mix 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 can tomato paste, a blob of minced garlic,1 tsp basil, 1 tbs dried parsley, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and the toasted pine nuts
• When the water boils, put the pasta in to cook, 
• Before you drain the pasta, add a couple of spoonfuls of the pasta water to the tomato paste mixture
• Make a salad of salad mix, dried cranberries and croutons (add anything else you want).
• Drain the pasta, mix it in the big bowl with the sauce, serve straightaway with the salad, warm bread and wine.

Pizza or Caroli/Stromboli/Calzone Dough

1 cup of hot water (microwave for 30 seconds):
1 package/1 TBS of yeast
1 TBS sugar
1/2 tsp salt
about 1 TBS olive oil (glug glug)
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour

• Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the hot water
• When it gets nice and foamy,add the salt, oil, and 2 cups of flour
• Knead or process in food processor, adding flour until smooth & dough no longer sticks to the side.
• Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, lid or a clean dishtowel
• Let rise in a nice warm place (Like on the counter above the running dishwasher)
• After about an hour, punch it down and roll it out into 2 pizzas or 4 carolis
• Top/fill with your choice of cheeses and veggies
• Bake at 425° until golden brown - enjoy!

Greek Salad

The Dressing
6 TBS olive oil
4 TBS red wine vinegar (you can use fresh lemon juice instead)
1 tsp oregano
about 1/2 tsp mined garlic
black pepper
whip it together then toss with the salad.

The Salad
salad greens
tomatoes
bell peppers
Kalamata olives
red onion, slivered
feta cheese
cucumber if you like it
whatever else you want - we added mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, grilled red pepper strips, and julienned carrots. 
OPA!

Black Bean Patties

1/2 onion, minced
1 tsp minced garlic
16 oz can chopped roasted tomatoes
1 small can chopped green chiles
2 green onions
1/4 cup salsa
1/8 tsp nutmeg
salt to taste
1 can or 2 to 2 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1/4 cup or so water

• Saute the onion and garlic in oil on med hi until browned and softened.
• Add the green chiles, green onions, salsa and nutmeg, stir to combine.
• Mash up the black beans in a medium large bowl and add water until the beans can be combined with other ingredients but still be firm enough to hold its shape as you form into patties.
• Dump the sauteed mixture into the  bowl, mix it all together and form into about 8 small patties.
• Fry in oil until crispy on both sides.

Serve sprinkled with cheese garnished with salsa, sour cream, guacamole.

Aunt Vici's Cheesecake

The Filling
12 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
1 TBS cream
1 TBS vanilla
1/2 cup sugar

• Whip until smooth, pour into a pie pan with your choice of crust - graham cracker, vanilla wafers...
• Bake 20-25 minutes at 325°
• Remove cheesecake and increase oven temperature to  425°.
• Make the topping while the oven heats.

The Topping
1 cup sour cream
2 TBS sugar
2 tsp vanilla

• Blend well, spread over baked filling.
• Bake at 425° for 5 minutes.
• Chill overnight.

Easy Salsa

1 16 oz can chopped tomatoes ( you can use roasted tomatoes or Rotel - mild or regular)
1/3 cup each finely chopped onion and green pepper
4oz can chopped green chiles
2 TBS chopped cilantro
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
2 TBS red wine vinegar
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS fresh lemon or lime juice

optional add-ins:  minced jalepeño, roasted corn, diced pineapple or mango

• Combine and scarf it down with tortilla chips.

Chile Verde

1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
1 minced jalepeño (optional)
2 tbs oil
2 tbs flour
1 tsp each oregano and basil
salt to taste
2 cups veggie broth
1 big can chopped green chiles
1 16 oz. can chopped tomatoes

• Saute the onion, garlic and jalepeño in oil on med hi until onion is browned, add the flour and stir to make a roux.
• Add the oregano and salt.
• Add the broth slowly, stirring to let thicken a bit.
• Add the green chiles and chopped tomatoes.
• Simmer for at least 30 minutes.
• Correct seasonings to taste.
• Serve over bean burritos.