Let creamy penne keep guests toasty

Make it an easy meal today with baked ham at the center of the plate. Accompany the family favorite with a delicious dish, green beans and potatoes with rosemary and lemon zest (see recipe). Alongside, add tomato wedges and deviled eggs.

In a large bowl, combine 1 (24-ounce) jar drained, refrigerated citrus salad in extra-light syrup, 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks, 1 cup seedless red grapes (halved), cup orange juice and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; toss gently to mix.

Spoon into dessert dishes. Top with more marshmallows and coconut. Garnish with maraschino cherries. Yum.

Shopping list: Ham to bake, red potatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, lemon, crushed red pepper, fresh green beans, coarse salt, tomatoes, deviled eggs, jarred refrigerated citrus salad in extra-light syrup, fresh pineapple, seedless red grapes, orange juice, pure vanilla extract, miniature marshmallows, shredded coconut, maraschino cherries.

Make ham and brie sandwiches for an easy meal. Spread pesto on sliced Italian bread, top with the leftover ham, brie cheese slices and arugula. Serve with baked chips. Enjoy the leftover ambrosia for dessert.

You can have tomato soup with spinach and corn on the table in no time. Prepare 2 (10-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup according to directions using 1 percent milk.

Add 1 (10-ounce) package frozen (thawed) chopped spinach and 1 cup of frozen (thawed) corn. Heat all the way through. Serve with a lettuce wedge and cheese toast. Enjoy pears for dessert.

Shopping list: Canned condensed tomato soup, 1 percent milk, frozen chopped spinach, frozen corn, lettuce, any bread and any cheese for cheese toast, pears.

Ziti with red peppers and almonds (see recipe) makes a great no-meat meal. Serve the pasta with a mixed green salad and garlic bread.

Shopping list: Ziti pasta, panko bread crumbs, slivered almonds, jarred roasted red bell peppers, olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, salad greens, garlic bread, raspberry sorbet.

It's fun to save money, especially when the results are as good as crunchy catfish.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Dip catfish fillets in cornmeal seasoned with garlic powder, coarse salt and pepper. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until browned and opaque throughout. Serve with oven fries (frozen) and a green salad. Make cornbread from a mix. For dessert, kiwifruit is easy.

Shopping list: Catfish fillets, cornmeal, garlic powder, coarse salt, pepper, frozen oven fries, salad greens, cornbread mix, kiwifruit.

Throw burger dogs into a whole-grain hot dog bun, and the kids will love them. Season ground turkey with chili powder, cumin, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Form into hot dog shapes.

Broil or pan-fry until no longer pink and serve on a bun. Top with salsa and reduced-fat sour cream. Serve with baked beans and celery sticks stuffed with fat-free cream cheese and raisins. Munch on oatmeal cookies for dessert.

Shopping list: Whole-grain hot dog buns, ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, coarse salt, pepper, salsa, reduced-fat sour cream, baked beans, celery sticks, fat-free cream cheese, raisins, oatmeal cookies.

Your guests will want your recipe for chicken and penne with creamy Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes (see recipe).

Serve the flavorful entree with fresh broccoli and a spinach salad. Add baguettes. For dessert, top chocolate cake with leftover sorbet.

Shopping list: Penne pasta, butter, chicken tenders, package Gourmet Creamy Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne Recipe and Seasoning Mix (such as McCormick), canned no-salt-added petite diced tomatoes, half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, fresh broccoli, fresh spinach, baguettes, chocolate cake.

Susan Nicholson, a graduate of Mary Washington College, is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. She can be reached by email:
Email: menuplanner@mindspring.com. Follow Susan on Twitter: @7DayMenu. The Menu Planner is also accessible at 7day menuplanner.com.

GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND LEMON ZEST

Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Makes 6 servings

1 pounds cooked red potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary Coarse salt to taste 1 teaspoon lemon zest (yellow part only) teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions: 1. Quarter cooked potatoes lengthwise; set aside. 2. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium; add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add rosemary, lemon zest and crushed red pepper; cook 1 minute or until fragrant. 3. Add potatoes and green beans; cook vegetables 4 minutes or until hot and coated with seasoning. 4. Sprinkle with lemon juice. 5. Season with salt and serve warm.

Nutritional information per serving: 154 calories, 4 grams protein, 5 grams fat (27 percent calories from fat), 0.7 gram saturated fat, 26 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 12 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber

ZITI WITH RED PEPPERS AND ALMONDS

Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: for the pasta Makes 6 servings

1 pound ziti pasta 1 cup panko bread crumbs cup toasted slivered almonds, chopped 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup roasted red bell peppers, julienned 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese cup chopped fresh basil

Directions: 1. Cook pasta according to directions; drain; place in bowl. 2. Add bread crumbs, almonds, peppers, oil and Italian seasoning to pasta; toss to mix. 3. Garnish each serving with cheese and basil. Nutritional information per serving: 446 calories, 16 grams protein, 13 grams fat (27 percent calories from fat), 3 grams saturated fat, 66 grams carbohydrate, 9 milligrams cholesterol, 194 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber

CHICKEN AND PENNE WITH CREAMY PARMESAN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: less than 15 minutes, plus pasta Makes 5 servings

8 ounces penne pasta 2 tablespoons butter 1 pound chicken tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 (14.5-ounce) can undrained no-salt-added petite diced tomatoes 1 package Gourmet Creamy Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne Recipe and Seasoning Mix (such as McCormick) 1 cup half-and-half cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: 1. Cook pasta according to directions; drain. 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned. 3. Add seasoning mix, tomatoes and half-and-half. Bring to boil, stirring constantly with wire whisk until well blended. 4. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes then stir in pasta and Parmesan; toss to coat. Nutritional information per serving: 451 calories, 30 grams protein, 15 grams fat (32 percent calories from fat), 8.4 grams saturated fat, 43 grams carbohydrate, 95 milligrams cholesterol, 796 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber

Let creamy penne keep guests toasty

October 31, 2012 12:10 am