1 package (16 ounces) bow-tie or corkscrew pasta
Salt
1 medium butternut squash (2 1/4 pounds), peeled, seeded,
and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas
3/4 cup half-and-half or light cream
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage leaves
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Directions:
In large pasta cooker with colander insert, cook pasta in boiling salted water as label directs.

Meanwhile, place squash chunks in 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe baking dish; cover and cook in
microwave oven on High 12 minutes, stirring once. Stir in peas, half-and-half, and sage, and cook, uncovered, 2 minutes.

Lift colander insert out of pasta cooker and drain excess water. In large bowl, toss pasta with
squash mixture, Parmesan, pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Serves: 6

This is based on a Vietnamese dish known as Tau Hu Kho

Ingredients:
1 pound firm tofu
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp thin sliced green onion
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Cut tofu in 2 by 3 inch 1/2 inch thick slices and pat dry.

Place sugar in a 10 to 12 inch frying pan over med-high heat; shake pan often until sugar melts and turns amber, about 3 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup hot water (mixture will bubble) and stir over medium heat until caramelized sugar dissolves. Stir in soy sauce, shallots, ginger, garlic, stir over high heat until boiling. Lay tofu pieces in a singer layer in sauce.

Simmer uncovered over medium low heat for 5 minutes. With wide spatula turn pieces over and simmer another 3 4 minutes.

Transfer tofu and sauce to serving dish and sprinkle with green onions and pepper.

1/2 bunch of swiss chard or other leafy greens
8 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/3 cup italian parsley, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs (preferably homemade)
salt
grated parmesan cheese

Wash the greens and pat dry with paper towels or spin dry (this is very important because, if the greens are too wet, they will cause the breadcrumbs to become soggy). Separate the stems from the greens and chop coarsely. Cut the leaves crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices. Set aside until ready to be used.

Bring 3 to 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the directions on the package or until it is al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a wide pan. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook for 30 seconds longer. Add the parsley, breadcrumbs, and chard stems. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning the breadcrumbs. If they seem a little too dry or on the verge of burning, add a bit more olive oil to the pan. Add the chard leaves and cook until they become slightly wilted.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil to keep it from sticking together. Combine the pasta and breadcrumb mixture and toss to mix. Season to taste with salt and serve topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Makes 4 servings

16 oz egg tagliatelle (pasta)
1lb fine green beans
6 plum tomatoes
2 oz parmesan
1 garlic clove
2/3 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp basil leaves

Top and tail the green beans, cook in boiling salted water until tender, then drain.

Cut the tomatoes in half, remove the juice and seeds and chop the flesh coarsely. Season

Peel the garlic, add to the cream and bring to a boil. Season. Remove the garlic, and add the tomato, green beans, and basil. Stir to combine.

Grate the Parmesan.

Cook the tagliatelle (pasta) in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, and add the tomato and beans. Serve with Parmesan. This is a summer pasta. Always use the ripest tomatoes and the finest green beans.

1 small head of cabbage, cut into thin slices (like for coleslaw)
1 lb MorningStar Farms “beef” crumbles
– or –
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb ground turkey or beef
1-2 cups rice, cooked
1 small onion chopped fine
1 can tomato soup

In a lightly greased/sprayed (with Pam) 8 x 12 baking dish spread cut cabbage. Sauté one chopped small onion in a bit of olive oil until soft, add “beef” crumbles or ground turkey or beef to heat through.
Next add 1 to 2 cups cooked rice and mix well. Spread meat mixture over the cabbage. Mix one can tomato soup with 1 cup water and pour over cabbage/meat mixture.
Cover and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

It is important to cook the garlic over low heat, or it will burn. Watch it closely.

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup coarsely torn fresh basil leaves
6 ounces pasta, cooked
Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving), optional

1. Place the oil in a skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 6 to 7 minutes.

2. Add the tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper; raise heat to medium and cook, gently smashing some of the tomatoes with the back of a spoon (leave some whole), until the sauce is thickened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the basil.

3. Add the pasta, combine well and serve immediately, topped with grated cheese.