BAKED RIGATON

16 oz Rigatoni or Bowtie Pasta
1 pkg. Italian Sausage, cooked (ground or finely sliced)
1 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
2 cups whipping cream
1 can sliced olives
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (Italian or garlic flavored; use the whole can, juice and all)
1 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 375°. Butter large casserole dish. Cook pasta, drain and put in dish. Cook sausage and drain fat. Mix everything except the cheeses; add dash of salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and mix in cheeses and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Let cool for approximately 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

MAXINE BLOTTER'S PANCAKES

AKA BRENDA'S DELICIOUS BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

2 cups flour (part whole wheat, part white)
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs
Dash of salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp baking powder

Mix well and they're ready to go. Brenda makes these and puts nuts in them and they are heavenly. Bye Bye Bisquick.

O'HENRY BARS

7 cups Special K Cereal
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark Karo Syrup
1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
12 oz. milk chocolate chips

Grease a large size bowl. Add syrup and sugar. Microwave for 30-40 seconds. Stir in Peanut Butter. Pour mixture over cereal and mix well. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. Press mixture into pan. Melt chips in microwave and frost. Cut into squares and serve. (It will cut easier if chilled first.)

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

Found this recipe at Over the Hill and on a Roll.

1 pre-made pie crust, baked according to directions
2 small baskets of fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

for the glaze:

1 8-12oz jar strawberry preserves...the amount doesn't have to be exact
2 tablespoons triple sec, or any other orange liquor
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Cut strawberries in half and place in a bowl with sugar and lemon juice. Let macerate for five minutes. Meanwhile, make glaze by placing all ingredients in a medium size saucepan over medium heat. Stir and combine just until preserves melt into a thick glaze.

Strain juices from bottom of bowl and combine glaze with strawberries. Dump strawberries into pre-baked pie crust. Serve with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream!

SPICY GREEN BEANS

Stumbled across these gems here. We REALLY enjoyed them.

2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 pound green beans
4 scallions
3 medium cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon of Sriracha

*Note-Make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before tossing anything in the pan. It will take just a few minutes to cook everything. It will go by quickly.

1 .Combine the soy sauce, white vinegar, sugar, Sriracha and red pepper flakes in a bowl and whisk until combined.
2. Mince the garlic, and cut the scallions however you see fit. I like the diagonal cut, but that’s just me.
3. Place the iron skillet over high heat for at least 5 minutes.
4. When everything is chopped and ready, toss in the oil, swirl until it coats the bottom of the skillet, and add the green beans. Cook until they are tender, about 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds or so. It will look like you’re murdering them, but be patient. It will work.
5. Dump in those neatly cut scallions and cook until they are gnarly. About another 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
6. Add the garlic and cook just until it becomes fragrant, about 5 to 10 seconds. Then add the soy sauce mixture. Cook for another 20 seconds or so, and then turn off the heat, and plate.

BLT SCRAMBLE

My creation of the weekend - a BLT Scramble.

4 slices of bacon, cooked then crumbled
1/2 of a large tomato, chopped
2 cups spinach
2 green onions, chopped
4 eggs
1/2 cup shredded cheese

Saute spinach, onions, tomato and bacon crumbles in pan. Add eggs and scramble together. Melt cheese on top and enjoy. Serves 2.

BRENDA'S STUFFED PEPPERS

This recipe is from Andy's mom. Which means it is like a lot of her recipes - she some times makes it up as she goes. And that is why I love them!

Peppers
Hamburger
1/2 cup minute rice
Onions
Garlic
Corn
Spaghetti Sauce
Shredded cheese

Cut tops off of peppers and clean out. Keep some of the top part of the pepper and dice. Steam peppers. Brown hamburger with onion, diced peppers, garlic, salt and pepper. Add to this mixture 1/2 cup cooked minute rice. Maybe a can of corn. Add spaghetti sauce. Stuff peppers with filling and cover with foil. Bake for 20-30. Top with shredded cheese and continue to bake until melted.

BLUSH SALAD

I created this salad that I have made a lot lately and it is always a hit.

1 bag baby spinach
1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles
1/4 cup walnuts
3/4 cup sliced strawberries
1 pear, thinly sliced
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette
Lemon

Squeeze lemon juice over sliced pears. Combine spinach, bleu cheese, walnuts, strawberries and pears. Just before serving toss with vinaigrette.