Chorizo Mexican Spaghetti

The other night I was really craving pasta.  We have been cutting back at night with pasta/rice/potatoes/bread, but we were both hungry and we were a little limited on ingredients.  When I have made pasta dishes lately, I have tried NOT to make the actual pasta the main part of the dish.  I try to load it up with veggies and other fillers, so I feel like I am eating a plate of pasta but without all of the carbs.   I didn't have traditional meat sauce spaghetti ingredients, so I had to get a little creative on this one.  I started thinking about the Mexican Spaghetti we have a local restaurant in town (Demos') and got inspired!  This would be great just for a simple, filling dinner or make it for company, it will go a long way since it is pretty hearty.

Chorizo Mexican Spaghetti
4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Whole Wheat Spaghetti
• 1/2 lb Chorizo Sausage (or you can sub ground beef, but give the Chorizo a try, it's in the regular grocery and its pretty inexpensive!)
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
• 1 -4oz Can Chopped Green Chiles (you can find these in the Mexican aisle of the grocery)
• 1 Can Mexican Style Stewed Tomatoes, drained
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 tsp each of Salt and Pepper
• Cheddar Cheese and Sour cream for topping

Directions:

1. Bring large pot of water and 1 tbls of salt to a boil, and cook pasta 1 or 2 minutes short of being done (it will still have a little bite to it) and reserve about a cup of pasta water
2. Meanwhile in a large skillet, brown Chorizo, breaking it up as it cooks with a wooden spoon, drain out most of the fat leaving about 2 tsp in the skillet
3. Saute onions in sausage drippings until tender, 3-4 minutes, then add garlic for about 30 seconds
4. Next add all other ingredients to the skillet (except pasta and beans) bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes
5. Lastly toss pasta and beans in the skillet along with some pasta water if sauce is a little dry.
6. Top with some cheddar cheese and sour cream to serve, and you've got a seriously crown pleasing dinner!

Superfoods at the Farmers Market Recipe Demo

So last Friday was opening day at the Rutherford County Farmer's market, I could not have been more excited!  If you live in Rutherford county and are available Tuesday Morning or Friday Morning you HAVE to go and check it out.  The market will continue to grow as the spring/summer goes on, but the beautiful strawberries, fresh lettuces, and herbs are enough of a reason for me.  Here are JUST A FEW of the items at the market that I took pictures of on Friday....

TONS of Perfect Herbs and Herb Plants to buy!

Swiss Chard...so vibrantly green :)

Gorgeous Fresh Strawberries

Delicous Honey...I sampled it!

Homemade Goat Cheese and Milk of all Kinds

 If you would like to go the market, but you aren't quite sure how to prepare the produce in a fresh and exciting way, I CAN HELP :)  This Friday, May 20 I will be at the market making 3 GREAT recipes for you to sample and take copies of the recipes home.  The produce will be from the market, and you will have time to shop before and after the class.  It will last about an hour,  so just show up and for $5 it will be a fun-filled Friday morning.  Bring your sister, your daughter, your mom, your friend or just you...this is the first time we are putting on these demos at the market and I personally would love to have your support!  I really believe it will be worth the time and little money to learn something knew and discuss ways to incorporate some of the beautiful produce that our local market provides.  

Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa

I made this recipe and handed out samples at the market Friday, it was such a hit that I have included it on the recipe copies you will get on Friday as a bonus recipe!

Popcorn Shrimp, Baked!

In my efforts to post recipes that are fast, easy, and familiar but a little healthier than your fast food, from a box, a can, or a package meal, I made Popcorn Shrimp!  You could pay 10-15 bucks, and buy a bag of frozen popcorn shrimp at the grocery.  However, I can pretty much guarantee the ingredient list will be WAY longer than it should be on that package.  It will also most likely have been fried.  Just b/c it says to BAKE the Shrimp on the directions, doesn't mean they are baked shrimp...those babies were fried and frozen.  So I'm tellin ya, this recipe is so easy I almost didn't post it.  But, I know we really enjoyed these Shrimpies, and I'm sure you and your family will too!

Popcorn Shrimp, Baked!
Serves 4
Ingredients:

• 1 lb Shelled and Deveined Shrimp ( I buy the frozen raw shrimp and thaw in cold water)
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 1 Cup Italian Seasoned bread Crumbs, or Plain and season your own
• 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp Pepper
• Cooking Spray
• Cocktail Sauce, for dipping

Directions:

• Pat thawed Shrimp dry, and Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Place Flour with Salt and Pepper, Eggs, and Bread Crumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes
• Begin dipping shrimp in flour and shake off excess, move through the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs
• Place coated shrimp on a wire rack on a sheet pan, as shown.  Be sure to spray the rack before placing the Shrimp on it. 

• Once all shrimp are coated, spray them liberally with cooking spray 
• Bake for 15 minutes, cool slightly and they are ready!  

Put them on a salad, dip them in cocktail or tartar sauce, or eat them plain.  They are yummy:)