Onion and Bacon Pasta Improv

In looking through the fridge I concluded there were no leftovers for a full meal.  The only thing I could eat was some roast beef.  Then, I eyeballed the bacon.

(Photo credit http://bacon.wikia.com/wiki/Bacon)

I have a confession to make, I have an obsession with bacon.  If you are not also obsessed with bacon I believe you cannot be a human. ;)

(Photo credit http://baconnation.net/?tag=art)

While bacon was not the main ingredient in the dish I threw together, it definitely made it great!  My one suggestion would be to replace the roast beef with chicken.  I would have used chicken but as I said before, we only had roast beef.

Onion and Bacon Pasta

1 bag Ronzoni penne pasta portions
Olive oil
1/4 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
Diced pepper (I diced 3 strips)
1 1/2 tsp tomato paste
A few shakes of the following dry ingredients
     Dried oregano
     Dried basil
     Dried parsley
     Salt
     Peper
Diced leftover meat of choice (I would use chicken next time)
2 strips precooked bacon, cut into small pieces
Drizzle of balsamic glaze

Put water on to boil for pasta.
In a small pan or skillet coated in olive oil, sauté onions, garlic and diced peppers until softened.  Add more oil, tomato paste, dry ingredients and simmer until the pasta goes into the water.  When the pasta is cooking, add the rest on the ingredients.  Drain pasta and put into skillet.  Heat for a few minutes and then enjoy!

Roasted Vegetable Pizza - Trader Joe's

My mom found a delicious cheese free pizza with roasted vegetables at Trader Joe's.

I did doctor it a slight bit, but it was also delicious without any extras.

I cut up a chicken patty (we had no grilled chicken) and put it on the pizza before cooking.

Once the pizza was done, I put some balsamic glaze on top.  The pizza already has a balsamic type sauce but this gave it a little extra flavor.

Gnocchi Improv

      When I was shopping yesterday I found a package of gnocchi.  I had it a few years ago and I remembered liking it.  I had no idea what I would serve it with but I got it anyways.  My parents were going out for dinner so I was in charge of cooking.  I asked my siblings ( aged 23, 12, and 10) if they would like to try gnocchi and they said they would.  Thankfully, I do not have picky eaters in my family so I went to work.

      I did a look around the fridge, pantry and spice cabinet to see what we had.  Took out a few things and put it together.  The only thing I would change is putting the sun dried tomatoes in towards the end since they got a little too dark for my tastes.  Here is the recipe for what I came up with including the change for the sun dried tomatoes.  I'm using guesstimations for the amounts because I didn't use measuring cups or spoons.

Tomato Gnocchi

Serves 3-4

1 package gnocchi

1 medium sized sweet onion

2 cloves garlic

Olive oil

1/8 tsp dried cilantro

A few shakes of dried oregano

1/8 tsp dried basil

2 tbs tomato paste

2 tbs vegan pesto paste

1 8oz can of tomato sauce

Sun dried tomatoes (put in enough for your tastes)

1 8oz package grilled chicken strips

     Put on water to boil in a medium size pot for gnocchi.  Slice onion and put in a large skillet with the bottom coated in olive oil and add garlic on medium-high heat.  Once onions begin to soften, put in cilantro, oregano, basil, tomato paste, and pesto paste with a little more oil.  Let that simmer on low heat until the gnocchi goes in the pot to boil.  Cook gnocchi for the allotted time on the package (mine was 3 minutes).  While gnocchi is cooking, put remaining ingredients in the skillet on medium heat.  Drain gnocchi when the time is up and stir it in the skillet.  Make sure everything is fully heated up by cooking for a few more minutes.  Serve with a salad or your favorite vegetable.

Soy Ice Cream

     I tried many a terrible, icy, watery ice creams before I found Purely Decadent.  Cookie dough was my favorite flavor which made me excited to try it.  Having big chunks of cookie dough (as seen below) and being oh so creamy are definitely a plus.  It doesn't have an overly soy taste and it is made with mostly organic ingredients.

     Obviously since it is ice cream it will have a lot of sugar.  I only have a few spoonfuls before I have satisfied my craving.  This means I usually don't waste a bowl and I eat straight out of the container. ;)  

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

     Looking for something delicious and easy to make?  Look no further then these Reese's Peanut Butter Bars!  They do not require baking but they do need a stove or microwave to melt some things.  They also need an hour to refrigerate.  If you make your own gram cracker crumbs I would suggest using something other than a mini food processor.  It takes WAY too long to make 2 cups worth with a mini one which I unfortunately know from experience. :P

     I got this recipe third hand from Pinterest.  I believe the original source is this one from Let's Dish.  I switched butter with butter flavored Crisco and I used dairy free chocolate chips.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients
1 cup butter flavored Crisco plus 2 tablespoons water melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (use the boxed kind, or grind them in a food processor. Tiny granules.)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet dairy free chocolate chips

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted crisco and water, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the 4 tablespoons peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

My family loved my dairy free version of these delicious bars, even my dad!

Update- 8pm 2/23/13

I took some bars, cut them in half and brought a container of them to work.  My coworkers ate all of them up very quickly and they couldn't believe were dairy free!

Vegan Pizza!

     I went food shopping for my mom yesterday since she wasn't feeling well.  While shopping, I happened to find a vegan pizza made by American Flatbread in the frozen naturals section.  I have been skeptic about trying dairy free pizza, but it was on sale so I figured I would try it.

     I was not disappointed!  This pizza is made with a vegan cheese that is dairy AND soy free.  The cheese has a great taste but it was a little too sticky.  The crust was a flatbread which was very crispy and delicious.  I enjoyed it, but I was not the only one since my little brother even liked it!

All in all, I was very happy with this pizza and I will definitely buy it again. :)

Sickness Vent

     I had been sick for 4 days on the couch. Once I started feeling better, that cold or whatever I had settled into a cough which has persisted since then. I caved and went to the doctor a week after I started coughing since it had almost taken my voice and I was not getting any better.

     Now I am on meds and I am feeling better, but I have begun to notice how there is a lack of food for me to eat. Sure, we have lots of food in the house but it is either things I can't eat or things I am tired of eating all the time. (If I have to eat another peanut butter sandwich I just might cry)

     I am trying to be more frugal by bringing food with me but I am so done with the things I have at my house and I still don't have the energy to cook. Has anyone else had this problem being the only dairy free one at home? Let me know your thoughts and maybe a few suggestions for a worn out student.