Orzo with Spinach and Peas

Ingredients:

1 lb orzo
2 cups water or broth
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt
pepper
Optional: 2 oz grated Parmesan

Directions:

In a large pot, saute garlic and onion in olive oil over medium heat. When soft and translucent (5 minutes or so) add salted water and raise heat to high until it comes to a boil. Add orzo and cook for about 5 minutes. Add spinach and peas. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Stir in Parmesan if desired. Remove from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir and serve.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup Guinness
10 tablespoons butter, sliced
3/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sour cream
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 eggs (at room temperature)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter (or spray with cooking oil) a 9 inch pan throughly. In a large pot combine Guinness and butter and heat until until butter is melted. Whisk in cocoa and sugar. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Pour into pot, whisk to combine. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and flour. Add to pot, whisking to combine. Pour into prepared pan and bake about 45 minutes or until a toothpick (inserted into the middle of the pan) comes out clean.


*This cake is so moist, it really doesn't need icing.

Blackberries with Honeyed Yogurt

Ingredients:

1/3 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
blackberries or other berries of your choice

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together honey and yogurt. Spoon over berries.

Onion Burgers

Ingredients:
1 ¼ lb ground beef (at room temperature)
1/3 cup finely chopped onions
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Montreal seasoning
Olive oil

Directions:
In a grill pan, heat olive oil. In a large bowl combine all ingredients thoroughly. Form into 5 patties. Grill 3-5 minutes on each side. Serve on crusty rolls.

Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

2 lb spaghetti squash
Butter
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Pierce squash with fork thoroughly- they can explode! Bake 1 hour or until easily pierced with a fork. Slice in half, remove seeds, scoop out flesh and serve with butter, salt and pepper. Also good with some freshly grated parmesan.

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 lb small pasta
1 lb shredded extra sharp cheddar
1/4 cup italian style bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

In a large pot cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and return to pot. Add shredded cheese, stir to combine. Meanwhile, melt butter in the microwave (or on the stove top, of course) for about 1 minute. Add bread crumbs and stir to coat. Pour pasta and cheese into a large oven safe dish. Pour milk over the pasta. Sprinkle with a thin layer of bread crumbs. Bake, uncovered or covered (for less of a chewy "crust") for 1/2 hour or until bubbly and hot.

Honey Mustard Glaze

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard*

Directions:

In a small bowl combine ingredients throughly. Add more honey or mustard to taste. Brush on to ham during the last half hour of baking.

*should glaze one 6 lb boneless ham