Fried Ravioli

1 package refrigerated ravioli
1 C Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 C parmesan cheese
olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Cook ravioli according to package directions. Drain and dry. Heat non-stick frying pan on med-low with bottom of pan coated in olive oil. Mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper and 1/2 C cheese in shallow dish. Coat ravioli and fry in oil until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Coat ravioli lightly with your favorite pasta sauce and cover with remaining cheee.

Pesto Pasta Salad

(adapted from a Jules Novak recipe)

1 box whole wheat rotini pasta
1 jar Classico Basil Pesto
1-1/2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1-1/2 C fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 C chives, diced
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions. Rinse with cold water to cool. Mix with the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate before serving.

Jules' Nummy Good Oven Baked Ribs

4-5 lbs. rack of ribs, cut into sections
2 cups onions, sliced
2 cups ketchup
2 cups water OR beer
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tsp. dry mustard

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl combine ketchup, water or beer, worcestershire sauce, vinegar , sugar, salt and mustard. Heat a large oven safe dutch oven to high heat. Add some oil and sear the ribs in batches until all are browned. Return all to pot and pour liquid over all - top with a lid and bake for about 2-3 hours. Let sit on stove to rest for awhile . Falling off the bone deliciousness !
Next day - make a BBQ chicken soup with all of the delicious juices, don't you dare waste them!

Pumpernickel bread with sprheaaad

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray
1 loaf of pumpernickel bread
2 cups Ricotta Cheese
3 Tbls. Honey
4- 5 sprigs of Rosemary
Lots of black pepper


Mix ricotta, honey , rosemary and pepper. Toast bread- put dollops of spread on toast and eat.
Yummy!

Jamaica's Meatball Subs

1 lb ground beef
1/4 parsley
1/3 C Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 jar pizza sauce
Swiss cheese slices
Extra virgin olive oil
rolls
salt & pepper, to taste

Mix ground beef, parsley, bread crumbs and salt and pepper in a bowl. Heat a frying pan with olive oil on medium. Once hot, roll beef mixture into balls approximately 1-1/2" in diameter. Fry in oil until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Mix cooked meatballs into pizza sauce in a small bowl. Serve sauce covered balls on warmed rolls with Swiss cheese.

Black Bean Dip

(adapted from a Rachael Rogers recipe)

2 cans black beans (one drained)
1/2 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 T cumin
juice from 1/2 lime

Blend in a food processor until desired consistency. Serve with tortilla or potato chips.

Jamaica's Salsa

2 cans stewed tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
1/2 white onion
1 jalapeno, seeded
salt & pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor. Serve with Tostito's Naturals Organic Yellow Corn Chips.

Breaded Tofu

(Rachael Rogers' recipe)

1 block extra firm tofu
1/2 C Tamari
1/2 C water
1 C Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 eggs, beaten
1 C flour
vegetable oil for frying

Drain and dry tofu and cut into 2" cubes. Place in glass baking dish and cover with Tamari and water. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is best). Heat vegetable oil in frying pan on medium. Dip marinated tofu in flour, egg then bread crumbs and fry until golden brown on the outside. Let cool on paper towels.

Rainy Day Chili (With Meat)

I made this today since it was rainy this morning. I use every excuse on the planet to make chili !
1 lb. ground meat (chicken, turkey or beef)
1 large onion , minced
1 bell pepper, any color
jalapeno to taste
2 teaspoons chili powder (more if you like it a lot)
2 teaspoons of cumin
Salt and Pepper
Beer
2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes

Get a large pot hot, hot , hot - add oil (I use EVOO) and add onion, bell pepper and ground meat. Break up the meat but also don't mess with it too much - you want it to caramelize and get delicious brown bits in the bottom of the pan. Once the meat is browned drain off excess fat , if necessary. Add beer to pot and scrape up any brown bits on bottom. Add tomatoes, jalapeno,chili powder, cumin , salt and pepper. Let cook for minimum of 15 minutes and serve with cheese, tortilla chips, corn bread, sour cream or whatever chili fixins you like.

Trailer Park Enchiladas

1 bag corn chips
1 C sharp cheddar or casserole cheese
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small can enchilada sauce

Spray 9"x9" glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or lightly grease with vegetable oil. Add 1/2 of the chips, 1/2 of the kidney beans, 1/2 of the cheese and 1/2 of the enchilada sauce then repeat to create a layered casserole. Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until cheese on top is melted and golden brown.

Note: This would be good with ground beef. I like to top with chives, fresh tomato and sour cream.

Jamaica's Chili

2 large cans whole tomatoes (drain one)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 white onion, diced
2 cans kidney beans
12 oz. cola
4 T cumin
4 T chili powder
1 t black pepper
1 t red pepper flakes

Mix all ingredients and cook on low heat 4-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Do not cover. If liquid reduces too much, add more cola.

Note: I serve over whole wheat pasta and top with sharp cheddar cheese.

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup

(adapted from http://crockpot365.blogspot.com)

20 oz frozen broccoli pieces
3 C shredded cheese
1 qt vegetable broth
1/2 t nutmeg
2 C milk

Mix all ingredients except cheese in Crockpot and cook on low 7-9 hours. Add cheese 20 minutes before serving.

Note: I prefer to use 2 cups of casserole cheese and 1 cup of sharp cheddar.