Tasty Veggy Recipes

Ingredients:
1 lb firm tofu
fresh garlic and onion
1 lb pasta, penne or rotini
4 medium carrots
2 stalks broccoli
1 cup fresh green beans, pepper, or celery
2 – 4 Tbsp olive oil
tomato sauce or pesto
Fresh or dried basil and oregano
add to the marinade as you wish :Fresh ground pepper, dried ginger, cumin, cayenne or black pepper

Method:

• Put a large pot of salted water on to boil
• Slice the tofu in 1/2 X 1″ pieces
• Let tofu sit for a few minutes
• Heat the oil on medium/high in a heavy non stick or well cured cast iron pan
• Optional: add 1 Tbsp minced garlic or half an onion, chopped, to the oil
• Add the tofu, fry 5 minutes each side, turning with a spatula (that’s the fun part)
• Prep the veggies and place in a steamer basket over boiling water
• Cover & steam for 5 – 10 minutes, until just tender
• Add the pasta to the boiling water, bring back to boil, stirring, reduce heat, cover and simmer 7 minutes, or until al dente
• Drain the pasta, add a little olive oil, sauce or pesto if you want, and/or fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme
• Add the veggies & tofu, and mix gently
• Serve hot sprinkled with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, or fresh basil

Ingredients:
1 cauliflower,small in small floweretes
3 carrots, large, thinly sliced
1 green pepper, diced
1 cup black olives
2 1/2 cup pasta, rotini
1 1/4 cup oil, vegetable or corn
3/4 cup vinegar, cider
2 garlic cloves, peeled & min
1 tbsp sugar
1 salt & pepper

Method:
In large bowl, toss together cauliflower, carrots, green pepper and olives. Cook rotini in large pot of boiling salted water till tender but firm about 8 to 10 minutes, drain and rinse in cold water.
Dressing: Combine oil, vinegar, garlic and sugar, adding salt and pepper to taste; mix well. Pour all but 1/3 cup dressing over salad,tossing to mix, reserve remaining dressing.
Cover and refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, taste and readjust seasonings and add remaining dressing if necessary.

Ingredients:
1 lb penne, rotini, etc. uncooked
12 oz roasted peppers, strips
12 oz marinated artichoke hearts
1 cup diced muenster, brick, or provolene, cheese, etc
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2/3 cup lowfat caesar or italian salad dres, sing
1 freshly ground pepper
1 sliced pepperoncine peppers

Method:
Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, combine pepper strips, artichoke hearts, cheese, mushrooms,onion and basil in a large bowl.
When pasta is done, drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well and add pasta and dressing to bowl; toss well. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Ingredients:
1 pound Rotini pasta
5 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
5 ounces spinach, chopped (if using frozen, thaw and drain well)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dry oregano leaves
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped fine
6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced fine
1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, but do not cool.
Add oil to a large saute’ pan and heat. When it is hot, add the spinach and tomatoes, and cook for 1-2 minutes to heat.
Add the pasta and remaining ingredients.
Mix well and serve in a pasta dish with some great crusty bread.