Cookbook Club - Meeting # LUCKY 13!

YAY -- Cookbook Club Tonight!!  So much fun -- we even had a new guest, Bri!!  Thanks for coming - hopefully learning how to cut a pepper makes you excited enough to come back :)  Also, my cousin Danielle was able to come too - YAY for college break!!  (at least I gave you something easy this time - instead of cinnamon chips!)

Anyways - we didn't really have a theme tonight but we made an app, entree, and salad.  Everything turned out really yummy (even if we didn't have a ripe avocado)  :)  The main dish might not be the most healthy - but it was quick and easy....Can't go wrong with pasta and Velveeta!!  The salad was pretty good - liked the mandarin oranges!  and really liked the Cali-schetta.....only has 117 calories per slice too....not bad for eating bread :)

Cali-Schetta

12 servings

Ingredients:
1/2 baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices on diagonal
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large clove garlic, peeled PLUS 1 clove, peeled and chopped
2 medium size tomatoes, seeds removed and chopped
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and chopped
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice
salt / pepper

Heat oven to 350.  Lightly brush both sides of baguette slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.  Toast on baking sheet for about 4 min per side.  Remove from oven and rub 1 side with the whole clove of garlic.  Let cool.

In medium bowl, mix together chopped garlic, tomatoes, avocado, onion, cheese, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Top each baguette slice with 1/4 cup mixture and serve!

Orange-Avocado Mixed Greens Salad

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

8 cups torn mixed salad greens

1 avocado, sliced

1 can (11oz) mandarin oranges, drained

1/4 cup thin red onion slices

1/3 cup Italian dressing

Combine all the ingredients - and coat with dressing.

Velveeta Italian Sausage Bake

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups penna pasta, uncooked

1lb italian sausage

3 cups halved zucchini slices

1 red pepoer, chopped

1 can (8oz) pizza sauce

1/2 lb (8oz) Velveeta cheese (I'm sure it's heathly...hehe)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350.  Cook pasta - and brown sausage.   Drain - and return to skillet.  Stir in zucchini, peppers, and pizza sauce; cook 5 min or until veggies are crisp-tender. 

Drain pasta - add to sausage mixture with Velveeta; mix lightly.  Spoon into 13x9 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with parmesan.  Bake 15-20 min until cooked through.