Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

High in protein and infused with flavor, this north Indian dish is fairly easy to make and good for you too!

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 onions minced

2 cloves minced garlic

2 teaspoons fresh ginger root finely chopped/grated

6 whole cloves

1 stick of cinnamon or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

2 15oz cans of garbanzo beans

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Serves 8

Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat and saute onion. Stir in garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, salt, cayenne and turmeric. Cook for about one minute. Mix in 2 cans of garbanzo beans with liquid. Cook until heated through. And garnish with cilantro just before serving.

Note: It's the fresh cilantro that really brings the flavors together, don't omit. I also added 1-2 diced tomatoes to give it more color. Enjoy!

Delicious Belgian Waffles

2 eggs

2 cups all purpose flower

1 3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup vegatable oil

1-3 tablespoon white sugar

4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat waffle iron. Beat eggs until fluffy with electric beater. Beat in the flour and the rest of the ingredients. Or you could try mixing everything in the blender for an even easier waffle recipe. Spray waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray before pouring batter. Cook until golden brown.

Variations: Add mashed bananas and cinnamon. Blueberries. Difference flavorings, etc.

Chicken Vino Bianco

My all-time favorite dish inspired by Olive Garden.

Servings: 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
salt and pepper
1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup canned tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
cooked pasta

Heat oil in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper and brown strips in hot oil Remove to a plate. Stir in onions and garlic and cook until tender; then stir in mushrooms and cook until golden. Stir in wine and bring to simmer. Stir in tomatoes and return to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and return chicken to pan; cook over medium heat until sauce begins to thicken. Finish sauce with cream and parsley. Serve warm over pasta of your choice.

Lasagna-Manicotti

So I thought my lasagna was good, then I made this. Call it lasagna on steroids. Lasagna turned manicotti.

Ingredients:

1 lb sweet Italian sausage

1 box of lasagna noodles

2 26oz jars of spaghetti sauce (any flavor)

2 15oz containers of ricotta cheese

1-2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs slightly beaten

mozzarella to sprinkle on top

(Optional)

handful of fresh chopped basil or

1-2 boxes frozen spinach thawed/drained

Preheat oven to 375. Cook lasagna noodles per box directions. Remove sausage from casing and brown in medium sized saucepan. Add 2 jars of spaghetti sauce. Simmer until heated through. Add a few large spoonfuls of sauce to cover the bottom of your baking dish. In separate bowl combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg and (basil, parsley or spinach if using). Spread 1/4 cup of ricotta filling on each lasagna noodle, carefully roll up and place seam side down over meat sauce top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake covered for 30-35 minutes.

Note: This recipe will probably fill an 8x10 and an 8x8 baking dish (8-10 servings). To view the scaled down recipe (serves 2-4) from which this recipe was inspired click here. Enjoy!

Spinach and Artichoke Soup

My mom came up with this and it's one of my absolute favorite soups. So healthy and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 10oz packages of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
2 14oz cans chicken broth
1 14oz can marinated artichoke hearts
1 small-medium onion, chopped
¾ to 1 cup feta cheese
¾ cup half and half (more or less)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbs. olive oil
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat oil in a medium to large saucepan, and sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic cook and little more. Next, stir in the spinach and artichokes (undrained). Add chicken broth and bring soup to a simmer. Stir in the feta cheese. You can add other cheeses like parmesan, romano or mozzarella if you like. After the soup is well-heated add the half and half , crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.

About

Who really follows recipes to a "T"? I believe recipes aren't ment to be bibles, but merely starting points for tastiness and creativity. So go ahead and add your own personal touch to your favorite dishes.

And one more thing, always have a nice hot cup of coffee or tea while you cook. Spoil yourself as you prepare to spoil others with your crazy-delicious food.