SPAGHETTI WITH WHITE WINE CLAM SAUCE

This is a quick and delicious meal to prepare and an alternative to that prepared with fresh clams. You can prepare the clam sauce while the pasta water is boiling. This is my husband's favorite dish and it has become a staple on Friday nights when I am pressed for time to prepare dinner. I make garlic bread and a hearty salad to complete the fare.

1 package of whole grain or regular linguine

1 10 oz can of whole baby clams

1 large clove of garlic

1 tbsp of olive oil

1 tbsp of butter

1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup of white wine

10-15 stalks of parsley chopped (reserve some for topping)

Zest of one- half lemon

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a medium saucepan cook garlic in olive oil until golden. Add clams with juice to heat and stir for few minutes. Stir in wine, parsley, butter and half of the cheese and lemon zest.

Drain pasta and return to pot. Pour garlic mixture over pasta and toss with reminder of the cheese and parsley till coated. Serve with additional cheese if so desired.

Gardening - Advice and Tips, Vegetable Gardening, Container Gardening, More - BHG.com

Gardening - Advice and Tips, Vegetable Gardening, Container Gardening, More - BHG.com

IDES OF MARCH....

I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when the early gentle rain turned into a steady falling big lumps of snow flakes which stuck to the ground. What??? Isn't today the first full day of Spring?? Anyway aside from horrors of the slippery slopes my hubby and I came to work safely. While he drove I enjoyed the ride and took some pictures...

SURPRISINGLY SWEET TASTE

Lemon & Orange Jam (for two)

I love lemons and I love lemonade and everything with lemon in it. So I thought why not make lemon jam. Well my husband doesn't like lemons that much so I compramised and added the orange.

Here is the recipe:

1 Large Lemon
1 Large Orange
2 Cups Sugar
1 Star Anise whole
2 Whole Cloves

Wash and peel the skins of the fruits and cut them length-wise and boil in a pot for 25-30 minutes. Drain and add sugar and spices in the same pot. Let it sit until sugar dissolves. Boil for 30 minutes or until sugar becomes thicker. Spread on your toast or roll in the morning or anytime. Enjoy.

APPLE STRUDEL PIE

This light and not too sweet pie became our favorite dessert. I thought I'd share it with you.

1 8' frozen pie crust

3 medium apples, peeled cored and thinly sliced

1 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

In a large bowl, combine the apples, 1 Tbsp. sugar and spices; place in the pie shell.

In a small bowl, mix the following and spoon over the apples covering the top.

1/4 cup chopped nuts (any kind)

1/2 cup chopped apricots

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

1 small egg (beaten)

Bake at 350 degree oven for 55 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

SPINACH PIE

This my version of spinach quiche/pie

It looks like it has a lot of ingredients but except for pie shell everything can be found in your pantry. Great for a light lunch or dinner. Cardamom gives this dish a very pleasant taste.

1 8' round frozen pie pastry crust
1 10 ounce package of frozen chopped spinach
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove of garlic minced
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp olive oil or margarine
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 package of cream cheese
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1/8 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper to taste

For Topping

1/2 cup soft plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

Thaw spinach and drain well on a colander. Saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in flour add milk, spices, salt and pepper. Cook until bubbly. Stir in cream cheese till melted. Add spinach stir well and pour into the pie shell. Bake covered in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes.
In the meantime combine bread crumbs with melted butter and cheese sprinkle over the pie and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY