May's baking/cooking club theme

[Darlene]

Lighten Up!

Gone (almost) are those cold days of winter and summers almost here. Time to break out those lighter recipes that put a spring in your step and a smile on your face as you are spending more time out & about and not hibernating. I'm talking light & luscious snacks, main dishes and everything inbetween.

[Darlene]

This is a nice refreshing main dish.Love the lemon & the garlic!

Fusilli with Broccoli & Beans

1 bunch broccoli (1 1/4lbs),cut into small pieces

1lb fusilli (tight twist) pasta

1T olive oil

3lg cloves garlic,minced (use less if you must)

1 can cannaloni (white kidney beans) drained & rinsed

2T fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp S&P

1tsp lemon zest

2 oz shredded prosciuto (I use ham)

1/2 c.(or less) grated parmesan cheese

~Cook pasta adding broccoli the last 2 min.Drain,reserving 1/2 c. of the cooking liquid. Place in serving bowl,keep warm. In same pan pasta was cooked (or separate pan while pasta is cooking) saute garlic in oil 'til softened. Add reserved liquid & remaining ingredients except cheese. Heat through.Add to pasta, add cheese & toss together.

[Daphne]

Thanks for that recipe - it sounds so good!

I'm excited to see what great recipes are posted! I have been looking for some "lighter" meals to cook now that the weather has warmed up.

[Julia Kimber]

Well our weather is getting cooler here in Australia as it's autumn (Fall) now, but this looks a tasty meal so will give it a go!
Julia

[Darlene]

Originally posted by Julia Kimber
Well our weather is getting cooler here in Australia as it's autumn (Fall) now, but this looks a tasty meal so will give it a go!
Julia

Sorry Julia, I'm in my own little bubble here and forgot about what it's doing in the rest of the world.

Please add your light and luscious recipes, I'm so looking forward to them!Pretty please.

[guest2]

I'll post a very quick, easy and fun family favorite.

Grilled Vegis

Marinate your favorite vegis (potato slices, zuchinni or other summer squash slices, onions are personal favorites) in a mixture of vegitable or olive oil, garlic salt and italian seasonings. Grill them on your BBQ for a fantastic side dish or appetizers at your next cookout.

BTW, we are doing the potatoes tonight.

[Darlene]

Mmm sounds delish Debbie. Do you put your potatoes on a skewer or in foil or some other way?

[guest2]

Nope, I just lay the slices right on the grill. They get kind of crunchy on the outside and baked on the inside. DH is grilling them as I type this and I'm drooling. The onions do better in a foil packet though. I suppose you could also churck or cube the vegis and skewer them like shish kabobs adding some mushrooms and cherry tomatoes also. That should be pretty and delicious!

[AmyMCGS]

My parents do potatoes and onions on the grill this way: Take a baking potato and make several slices in it, but don't cut all the way through the bottom. Add chunks of butter into each cut, then add a large slice of onion into each cut. Wrap the whole thing in foil and grill until the potato & onion are cooked through. The outside gets crunchy, and the inside is just perfect.

We like to do shish kabobs on the grill- just cut up chicken or steak, peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, etc and marinate in Italian salad dressing in a large ziplock bag. I do this in the morning and let them soak all day in the fridge. When you're ready to grill them, let each person make their own kabobs with the marinated ingredients-- yum!

Spring always makes me think of the "salad plate" lunches that are served at work (nursing home) this time of year. On those lunches we get a scoop of tuna salad or cottage cheese, half an apricot, half a pear, and fresh strawberries or grapes-- served with a bowl of mushroom or celery soup. It's a nice meal.

[Julia Kimber]

Originally posted by Darlene
Sorry Julia, I'm in my own little bubble here and forgot about what it's doing in the rest of the world.

Please add your light and luscious recipes, I'm so looking forward to them!Pretty please.

Don't worry about me over here Darlene, sometimes light recipes are all I fancy to eat even in winter!

I'll look out some of my own to post!
Julia

[Julia Kimber]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AmyMCGS
[B]My parents do potatoes and onions on the grill this way: Take a baking potato and make several slices in it, but don't cut all the way through the bottom. Add chunks of butter into each cut, then add a large slice of onion into each cut. Wrap the whole thing in foil and grill until the potato & onion are cooked through. The outside gets crunchy, and the inside is just perfect.

These sound delicious Amy, will definitely try them when BBQ season comes around again!
Julia

[Julia Kimber]

This is a microwave meal, quick and easy, healthy too!

It's in grams, hope you can all convert!


15g Butter or margarine
1 Onion, chopped
1 Carrot, chopped
1 Stick celery,chopped
1½ Cups cooked brown rice
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
90g Mushrooms, sliced
1 Small red bell pepper, chopped
220g can salmon or tuna (If using tuna, it must be in water not oil)
130g can whole kernel corn
1 Tablespoon chopped chives
½ Cup grated cheddar cheese


Combine butter or margarine, onion, carrot and celery in a dish, cover and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
Add rice, lightly beaten egg, tomato paste, mushrooms, red pepper, undrained salmon or tuna, corn and chives and mix until well combined.
Sprinkle with cheese, cook on HIGH for 8 minutes or until heated through.


Enjoy!

[SusieJD]

Thanks for all of the great summer recipes! I'm always looking for new ideas for the summer!

Susie in MN

[halo475]

Here is a great conversion website to help anyone with Julia's recipe:
http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/conversion_charts.htm

hth

[Julia Kimber]

Originally posted by halo475
Here is a great conversion website to help anyone with Julia's recipe:
http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/conversion_charts.htm

hth

Now that's really nice of you Arlene! I'm sure the ladies will appreciate it!
Julia