One-Pot Penne with Turkey Meatballs

Last month in Runner's World there was an article about chefs that turned into runners and some of their favorite pre-race foods. This one immediately caught my eye. I really like feta cheese and thought it would be a great combo with the sauce and turkey meat. I was right! Delish! And the sauce was really yummy and light. Although I am not running any big races this year I will definitely be making this again, healthy carbs and low fat protein = great meal!

One-Pot Penne with Turkey Meatballs

Pam Anderson from Runner's World Magazine

Serves 6

Ingredients

8 garlic cloves (3 whole, 5 minced)

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

3/4 crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup crumbled saltines

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 large egg

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/4 cup olive oil

4 slices prosciutto, chopped

1 cup red wine

2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes

1 pound penne pasta

Directions

Heat skillet on medium-high (I used my Dutch Oven). Add the whole garlic cloves; toast 5 minutes. Remove, then smash and mince. Break up turkey in a bowl. Mix in feta, saltines, oregano, 3/4 teaspoon salt. Combine the egg, toasted garlic, and tomato paste; mix into the meat until thoroughly combined. Form into 24 meatballs. Heat oil over medium in a large pot. Heat meatballs and brown on two sides; transfer to a plate. Add minced garlic and prosciutto to the pot; sauté until garlic is golden. Add wine; reduce by half. Add tomatoes and enough water (about 1 cup) to thin the sauce. Bring to a simmer; add meatballs and cook (loosely covered) 15 minutes. Add 6 cups of water and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Add penne; cover loosely and cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender (15 minutes). Uncover and simmer until sauce thickens. Serve, sprinkling each portion with feta. Serves six.

Aileen and Matty P's Engagement Cookies and Cupcakes

My sister Aileen is getting married next year and she and her fiancé Matt chose to go with a yellow and green color scheme for their wedding. So instead of just making cookies for their engagement party a few weeks ago I wanted to try something new. I made small cookies with their initials and wedding date, in alternating colors, then placed them on the cupcake with the opposite color. I used buttercream icing on all so the colors would match the cookies well, and I made two different flavor cupcakes; vanilla and chocolate.

Baby Madeline decided to come a little early so instead of just having a shower Christina had a sort of welcome party for her. The Mom had registered for bedding with little ladybugs on them in all shades of pinks and purples.

Jenn's Baby Shower Airplane Cookies

I made these cute cookies to match this soon to be Mom's shower invites. Her friends and family planned an airplane themed shower for her little boy that was on the way!

Oreo and Fudge Ice Cream Cake

For dessert (on Father's Day) I wanted to go simple and make something that I knew everyone was going to love and enjoy. As I was searching for an easy no-bake recipe I came across this one on Kraft.com. It was so yummy and great for a summer dessert (really anytime this was so good). I didn't make this to be low fat but you could swamp the higher fat and calorie ingredients for lower ones. Also I added a some extra Oreos on top for a little decoration, presentation is everything! This is a kid friendly recipe too, there isn't any baking involved and it would be fun making all the layers. After I made the cake I froze it for a little over 4 hours and it froze perfectly. I was able to make clean slices so everyone could enjoy some. They were decent portions and I even had some leftovers.

Oreo and Fudge Ice Cream Cake

www.KraftRecipes.com

Serves 12

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
• 1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
• 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
• 8 OREO Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches

Directions

Pour fudge topping into medium bowl. Whisk in 1 cup Cool Whip. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 minutes. Stir in chopped cookies.

Arrange 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long sheet of foil; with half the Cool Whip mixture.

Top with remaining sandwiches. Frost top and sides with remaining Cool Whip. Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.

Freeze for 4 hours or until firm.

Gina's Cheddar and Herb Biscuits

I have tried a few different roll and biscuit recipes and this one is hands down the easiest. I am by no means afraid of yeast but I liked how this recipe didn't call for it, I've found that biscuits don't usually but other dinner rolls have. These almost reminded me of Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits! Since we were entertaining I was able to make these in advance and hang out with our Dad's for Father's Day. I bake them right before we ate so they were nice and warm when served!

Gina's Cheddar and Herb Biscuits

The Neelys

Makes 12 to 15 ( I made 12)

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley leaves
• 3/4 cup grated sharp yellow Cheddar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cayenne together using a whisk. Add the herbs, cheese and buttermilk. Stir together until dough forms.

Once dough has formed, using an ice cream scooper, scoop out dough onto baking tray. With a brush, lightly butter tops. Bake for 15 minutes.

Father's Day Menu

So I know Father's Day was in June but Denis and I have been really busy because we bought our first house (YAY!!! and plenty of pics to come as I decorate) and the busy-ness of summer just got in the way! But we were lucky to be able to host and cook a great dinner for our Dads. It's still a little tight in our small apartment but we make it work! Once we move we will have a dining room, I can not wait, so many new tablescapes capes and dinner parties!

• Marinated Skirt Steak
• Orzo with Grilled Vegatables and Pesto Vinagerette (Courtesy of Cooking This and That)
  
  
• Deviled Eggs (Made by Bean and Matty P)
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• Gina's Cheddar and Herb Biscuits (recipe to follow)
• 
  
  
• Grilled Caesar Salad
• Oreo and Fudge Ice Cream Cake (recipe to follow)

Dinner was great but the desert was even better!!