Pasta Salad - YUM!

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 red bell pepper, cut in thin strips
• 1 (6.5 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Add broccoli and cook 2 minutes more. Drain pasta and broccoli and rinse with cold water until cool.
2. In large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, red bell pepper, the artichoke hearts with their marinade, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Toss, adjust seasoning and serve.

Preparation Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Ready In: 20 min.
Servings: 8

Grilled Chicken and Fruit Kabobs

Here is a great idea for Labor Day! Enjoy!

Tender chicken cubes marinated in lemon and pineapple juices with a dash of cinnamon mingle with sweet and smoky pineapple chunks and strawberries for a colorful kabob with a taste of the tropics.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 (8 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 24 large strawberries

Cooking Instructions

1. In a shallow glass bowl combine lemon juice, juice from pineapple can, salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix together. Add cubed chicken and marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat grill to medium heat.
3. In a small bowl combine the melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg.
4. Lightly oil grate. Using metal or soaked wooden skewers arrange chicken, pineapple chunks and strawberries on each stick (approximately 4 to 6 pieces of each item per skewer). Brush kabobs with butter or margarine mixture place on grill and cook, turning on all sides, until chicken is cooked through and strawberries are sizzling. Approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Preparation Time: 30 min.
Cooking Time: 15 min.
Ready In: 1 hour and 45 min.
Servings: 6

Apple Puff Pancakes

This recipe for a delicious Apple Puff Pancake is good all by itself, but even better when served with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup (250 mL) milk
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 2/3 cup (175 mL) all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• icing sugar for dusting
• maple syrup, as an accompaniment, if desired

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Place the butter in a 10-inch (25 cm) deep dish pie plate or a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking dish.
3. In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until well mixed and foamy. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Add to the egg mixture and beat just until smooth. Set aside for a moment.
4. Place the pie plate or baking dish into the oven and let heat until the butter is melted and hot. Remove from the oven and holding the dish carefully with oven mitts, swirl gently to coat the entire surface with butter. Quickly arrange the apple slices evenly on the bottom of the dish and pour in the batter.
5. Place in the oven and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. Dust with icing sugar before cutting into wedges or squares. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup if you like.

Servings: 6 to 8

Delicious Pizza Pitas

Pepperoni Pizza Pita -

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 4 whole pita breads
• 24 slices pepperoni sausage
• 8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Spread pizza sauce over pita bread. Top with pepperoni, mushrooms and cheese. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted.