Meatless Monday

I hope you had a good holiday weekend. One more holiday - New Year's - and 2016 will be history.

Since it's Monday, it means time for six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

MEATLESS-BALL SUBS

1 package Meatless Balls (see note)

1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce

4 hoagie rolls

cheese slices

Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.





Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.



Makes 4 meatless ball subs.

Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE

This recipe, as well as the Vegetarian Lasagna, Angel Hair Pasta, and J's B-B-Q Gluten, are all from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.

28 oz. can tomatoes (note)

2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste

3 onions, chopped

3 – 5 cloves garlic, crushed

2 T oil

1 T oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. dill

1 tsp. anise

2 T honey

1 T vinegar

1 T soy sauce

1/4 – 1/2 lb. grated cheese

Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add tomatoes, sauce & pasted. Stir. Add everything except cheese & stir. Simmer 1 hour. Add cheese & stir until cheese is melted. Serve over hot spaghetti. Better the next day—if any is left!

Note: I usually use crushed tomatoes. If you’d rather use fresh tomatoes, 6-8 large ones may be used (diced, of course) in place of the canned tomatoes, & add an extra can of tomato sauce.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

I’d been making lasagna for years, using a favorite cookbook. One time, my oldest son took the same recipe, and replaced the meat with eggplant. His came out tasting better than when I made it.

I tried recreating the eggplant version, but it never quite came out the same. So, I ended up changing the recipe drastically, changing ingredients and amounts. The funny thing is that, while I use one or two packages of tofu crumbles instead of meat, it tastes enough like meat to fool several non-vegetarians. One person, after eating this, even looked at me aghast, asking, “What are you, some kind of vegetarian?” Never heard from him again.

Tomato sauce:

2 – 3 onions, chopped

3 – 5 cloves garlic, minced

28 oz. can tomatoes

2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste

2 T oil

1 T oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. dill

1 tsp. anise

1 or 2 – 10 oz. package tofu crumbles

Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, simmer for 1 hour. While sauce is cooking, in a separate pot, cook 16 oz. lasagna noodles & make cheese layer.

Cheese layer:

2 C sour cream

2 C cottage cheese

2 eggs

4 C mozzarella, grated

2 C cheddar cheese, grated

1 C Parmesan cheese

Mix ingredients together in large bowl.

Assemble:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked lasagna noodles length-wise. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the tomato sauce. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before cutting, as it tends to be a little runny when it first comes out of the oven. Serve with a salad and a loaf of hot Italian bread. Very yummy.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA

I had something similar to this at a restaurant several times, and decided to try making it. A hint for making this: wait until all the veggies have been cut up, then start the water boiling for the angel hair pasta. The veggies should be cooked for 2-4 minutes, and the pasta cooked for 2 minutes before the pasta is drained and then allowed to finish cooking for another 2 minutes with the veggies. Timing is important—unless you like disgustingly soggy pasta.

1/4 C water

3 medium to large tomatoes

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2 green pepper, diced

1 T oregano

1 lb. angel hair pasta

Cut up veggies while heating the pasta water. DO NOT PUT PASTA INTO WATER UNTIL THE VEGGIES BEGIN COOKING. (There. I said it.)

In veggie pot, heat 1/4 C water & balsamic vinegar until it begins to bubble; add onion, garlic, pepper & oregano and stir once or twice. NOW ADD PASTA TO POT OF BOILING PASTA WATER. (Boy, what a bossy broad.)

Simmer veggies on low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes, covered. Cook pasta for only 2 minutes, then drain in colander. As soon as pasta is drained, remove cover from veggies, dump pasta into veggie pot, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from heat. DIG IN!!! (Now, isn’t that good?)


SHOOFLY PIE

This comes from Sara Bonisteel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sara wrote, “Shoofly pie is often thought of as the cake baked in a pie shell, or so wrote Jean Hewitt, The New York Times food writer who offered this recipe in the paper in 1965. This pie was served at a Pennsylvania Dutch luncheon hosted by the International Cuisine Group of the College Woman’s Club of Westfield, N.J., in the spring of that year. One of the organizers dug up the recipe from her mother’s ‘Housekeeper’s Scrap Book, 1896.’ There were four versions of the pie in the book; this was the one marked: ‘We like this one better.’” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

To view this online, click here. Also, check out the Times tutorial “How to Make A Pie Crust”.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup molasses

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 single crust pie pastry (see recipe, which follows), rolled flat and placed in a 9-inch pie plate

Preparation

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Make the crumb topping: Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the consistency resembles cornmeal.

Combine molasses, water and baking soda and pour into pastry shell. Spoon the crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake 15 minutes, lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 minutes longer, or until set and firm.

PIE PASTRY

This is from Craig Claiborne and Piere Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yield: Pastry for an 8- to 10-inch pie.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

8 tablespoons cold butter cut into half-inch cubes

1 tablespoon sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

Preparation

Put the flour, butter and sugar into the container of a food processor. Start blending.

Gradually add enough water so that the dough can be gathered into a fairly cohesive ball.

If a food processor is not used, place the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and cut it in with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add the water, stirring quickly with a fork.

Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a round disk one-inch thick. Wrap the dough in wax paper and chill for an hour or less.

Tuesday Recipes

Here are today's six yummy recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

SHOOFLY PIE

This comes from Sara Bonisteel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sara wrote, “Shoofly pie is often thought of as the cake baked in a pie shell, or so wrote Jean Hewitt, The New York Times food writer who offered this recipe in the paper in 1965. This pie was served at a Pennsylvania Dutch luncheon hosted by the International Cuisine Group of the College Woman’s Club of Westfield, N.J., in the spring of that year. One of the organizers dug up the recipe from her mother’s ‘Housekeeper’s Scrap Book, 1896.’ There were four versions of the pie in the book; this was the one marked: ‘We like this one better.’” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

To view this online, click here. Also, check out the Times tutorial “How to Make A Pie Crust”.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup molasses

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 single crust pie pastry (see recipe, which follows), rolled flat and placed in a 9-inch pie plate

Preparation

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Make the crumb topping: Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the consistency resembles cornmeal.

Combine molasses, water and baking soda and pour into pastry shell. Spoon the crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake 15 minutes, lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 minutes longer, or until set and firm.

PIE PASTRY

This is from Craig Claiborne and Piere Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yield: Pastry for an 8- to 10-inch pie.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

8 tablespoons cold butter cut into half-inch cubes

1 tablespoon sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

Preparation

Put the flour, butter and sugar into the container of a food processor. Start blending.

Gradually add enough water so that the dough can be gathered into a fairly cohesive ball.

If a food processor is not used, place the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and cut it in with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add the water, stirring quickly with a fork.

Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a round disk one-inch thick. Wrap the dough in wax paper and chill for an hour or less.

BASIC ROASTED POTATOES

This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “These roasted potatoes are a snap to prepare, and they taste amazing. Make them with or without the garlic, and serve along with a steak, chicken, or fish.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 pounds red skinned potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed and cut in 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup olive oil

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 cloves garlic, finely minced, optional

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves

Preparation

Heat the oven to 400° F.

In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, and parsley.

Spread the potatoes out in a single layer in a large, shallow rimmed baking pan, such as a large jelly roll pan or half sheet pan.

Roast the potatoes for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned, turning every 20 minutes to brown evenly.

TURKEY BACON BURGER

This recipe begins, “If you're a fan of The Biggest Loser show, then you may have recently watched host Bob Harper teach contestants how to make Turkey Bacon Burgers. The contestants loved their Turkey Bacon Burgers and now we're sharing the recipe for you to try.”

Makes 10 servings

Source: Jennie-O

View online with photo and print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1323.shtml

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/2 cup minced onion

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

10 lettuce leaves

10 tomato slices

20 sweet onion slices

avocado slices, if desired

pickled jalapeno slices, if desired

mustard, if desired

Directions

In large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, onion, garlic and pepper.

Form into 10 patties. Ideally, make this mixture at least 8 hours before cooking so that the turkey can marinate with the other ingredients. Freeze any extra formed patties to thaw later.

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill turkey burgers approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Layer lettuce, tomato, turkey burger and onion. Top with avocado, pickled jalapeno and mustard, if desired.

Jennie-O also recommends adding 15 slices of chopped, uncooked Jennie-O Turkey Bacon to the meat mixture. For ease of chopping, place bacon slices in freezer for 15 minutes. Chop finely while still firm.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F. Learn how to safely handle turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 4 g ; Carbohydrates: 6 g

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GLUTEN-FREE LEMON-TAHINI ZUCCHINI NOODLES

This comes from Stephanie Kirkos, About.com’s Gluten-Free Cooking expert. Stephanie wrote, “A Spiralizer is my favorite kitchen tool to put a healthier spin on pasta classics - and in a naturally gluten-free way.

“This recipe features zucchini noodles tossed raw in a bright and savory dressing of lemon juice, garlic, and tahini. The dressing softens the zucchini noodles as it sits, so there is no need to cook the zucchini noodles for this meal.

“The pile of zucchini noodles is topped with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, Feta crumbles, and chopped fresh parsley.

“Dairy-free? Simply omit the Feta crumbles, or use a dairy-free cheese instead. Instead of grilled chicken, you can pair this recipe with grilled shrimp or salmon instead.

“Vegetarian? Replace the chicken with grilled tofu steaks or portobello mushrooms.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp fresh parsley leaves

1 1/2 tbsp water

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 large zucchini, spiralized into noodles

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, rinsed and sliced in half

1/4 cup Feta crumbles (optional)

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

Prepare Tahini Lemon Dressing: In a food processor, pulse garlic cloves a few times until minced. Add the lemon juice, tahini, fresh parsley leaves, water, and olive oil. Pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Wash and trim off the tough ends from each zucchini. With a spiralizer kitchen tool, spiralize the zucchini one at a time into spaghetti sized-noodles. Don't have a spiralizer? Use a julienne peeler, vegetable peeler, or sharp knife instead.

Place zucchini noodles in a large bowl. Pour half the dressing and toss to coat. Add more dressing, if needed. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to soften the noodles.

Grill the boneless, skinless chicken breasts either on a gas grill, electric George Foreman-type grill, or use store-bought all natural gluten-free chicken breast strips (super quick and easy shortcut!)

Divide the dressed zucchini noodles and sliced cherry tomatoes into two bowls. Place slices of grilled chicken over top. Garnish with Feta crumbles, if desired, and additional Tahini Lemon dressing and chopped parsley.

Reminder: Always make sure your work surfaces, utensils, pans and tools are free of gluten. Always read product labels to confirm the product is gluten-free. Manufacturers can change product formulations without notice. When in doubt, do not buy or use a product before contacting the manufacturer for verification that the product is free of gluten.

WATERMELON AND HALLOUMI

This is from Michael Symon, one of the many wonderful chefs at The Food Network. This lead-in for this recipe state, “Watermelon marinated in a mint and honey dressing is soon to be your favorite summer treat. And helium, a delicious non-melting cheese, is the perfect landing place for the juicy fruit.” I’m getting hungry just reading that! Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 10 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 5 min; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-symon/watermelon-and-halloumi.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 teaspoon minced shallot

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Kosher salt

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

8 small wedges seedless watermelon, rind removed

8 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into 8 slices

Directions

Place the shallot and garlic in a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt. Add the vinegar and honey and whisk. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil, then add the almonds and mint.

Place the watermelon in a shallow dish. Pour the dressing on top, cover and let marinate 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sear the halloumi 1 minute per side, then remove from the pan; top each with a piece of marinated watermelon.

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday - yay! Here are today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

SHOOFLY PIE

This comes from Sara Bonisteel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sara wrote, “Shoofly pie is often thought of as the cake baked in a pie shell, or so wrote Jean Hewitt, The New York Times food writer who offered this recipe in the paper in 1965. This pie was served at a Pennsylvania Dutch luncheon hosted by the International Cuisine Group of the College Woman’s Club of Westfield, N.J., in the spring of that year. One of the organizers dug up the recipe from her mother’s ‘Housekeeper’s Scrap Book, 1896.’ There were four versions of the pie in the book; this was the one marked: ‘We like this one better.’” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

To view this online, click here. Also, check out the Times tutorial “How to Make A Pie Crust”.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup molasses

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 single crust pie pastry (see recipe, which follows), rolled flat and placed in a 9-inch pie plate

Preparation

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Make the crumb topping: Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the consistency resembles cornmeal.

Combine molasses, water and baking soda and pour into pastry shell. Spoon the crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake 15 minutes, lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 minutes longer, or until set and firm.

PIE PASTRY

This is from Craig Claiborne and Piere Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yield: Pastry for an 8- to 10-inch pie.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

8 tablespoons cold butter cut into half-inch cubes

1 tablespoon sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

Preparation

Put the flour, butter and sugar into the container of a food processor. Start blending.

Gradually add enough water so that the dough can be gathered into a fairly cohesive ball.

If a food processor is not used, place the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and cut it in with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add the water, stirring quickly with a fork.

Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a round disk one-inch thick. Wrap the dough in wax paper and chill for an hour or less.

ULTIMATE CHICKEN POT PIE

This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. It begins, “Using convenience products like canned soup, cooked chicken, frozen veggies and refrigerated pie crusts make this comfort food classic a cinch to prepare. It's chock full of flavor and ready in just 50 minutes.” Makes 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 package (about 14 ounces) refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts), at room temperature

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/2 cup milk

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 package (12 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (about 2 2/3 cups)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate with 1 pie crust. Trim any excess.

Stir the soup, milk, chicken and vegetables in a medium bowl. Spoon the chicken mixture into the pie plate. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Place the remaining pie crust over the filling. Trim any excess. Crimp the edges of the top and bottom crusts together. Using a sharp knife, cut several slits in the top crust.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Sprinkle the crust with the remaining cheese.

Chef’s Notes: Make-Ahead: Bake 2 pot pies, eat one now and freeze one for later!

ROASTED VEGETABLE & CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This also comes from GE Appliances e-newsletter. It begins, “Roasted veggies are combined with rotisserie chicken for these amazing enchiladas topped with a creamy chile verde sauce and melted Pepper Jack cheese.” Makes 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 red bell pepper

1 small zucchini

1/2 of a medium red onion

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken)

8 corn tortillas

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

Chile Verde Sauce:

1/2 cup half & half

2 cans diced green chilies

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Chop bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion into 1-inch pieces. Toss the veggies with 3 tablespoons olive oil and spread on a large, rimmed baking pan.

Roast in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

While the veggies are roasting, prepare the sauce by combining half & half, diced green chiles, cumin, salt, and garlic cloves.

For the enchilada filling, combine the roasted vegetables, black beans and chicken.

Heat corn tortillas slightly to soften. Wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and microwave for 30 seconds. Keep them in the towel as you fill the tortillas to keep them soft and pliable.

Fill each tortilla with approximately 1/3 cup of the filling. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in 9x13 inch pan. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled. Pour sauce evenly over enchiladas. Top with shredded cheese and cover with aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

Remove from the oven and top with fresh cilantro.

Chef’s Notes:

Use any leftover filling for a quick and easy breakfast. Reheat the vegetable and black bean mixture and add a fried egg to the top.

SUMMER MINESTRONE SOUP

This is from Tablespoon, and begins, “Minestrone soup, swimming with beans and macaroni, is vegetable soup’s heartier Italian cousin. Preparing it in advance and having at the ready in your freezer will have you singing ‘That’s Amore’ when dinnertime comes around.” Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; makes 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cut (1/2-inch) green beans

1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ vegetable stock

Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions

In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and salt; cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cannellini beans, zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni.

Add stock; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

To freeze: In 8-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and salt; cook about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in tomatoes and cannellini beans. Transfer to 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Mix zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni in another 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Freeze both bags up to 3 months. When ready to serve: In 4-quart saucepan, mix stock and bag of frozen tomato-bean mixture; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook until frozen tomato-bean mixture is completely thawed, stirring occasionally. Add bag of vegetables and macaroni; return to simmering. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

MACARONI SALAD WITH CHEESE AND HAM

This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “Diced ham and cheese make this a hearty macaroni salad, a good choice for a cookout or potluck.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked macaroni

1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham

1 cup diced or shredded (large shred) Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 tablespoons chopped pimento

1/4 chopped green onion

1/4 cup sweet pickle relish

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water as directed on package, drain and cool.

In a large bowl, combine the macaroni with the ham, cheese, celery, bell pepper, pimiento, and green onion. Toss to blend.

In another bowl combine the relish, mayonnaise, and mustard. Add to macaroni mixture; stir gently to blend. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed.

Chill and serve.