Marinara Sauce

If you are a gardener, you know that homemade tomato sauce out of your own tomatoes is somehow, better then any other around.  If you don't have a garden or you used all your tomatoes up already...that is ok too!  Grab the kids & enjoy a rainy afternoon in the kitchen making up a fabulous sauce for supper!

Serves 4 (multiply as your family needs)

1/3 c olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled & sliced
3 Tbs finely chopped parsley
3 Tbs finely chopped onion
1 can (28oz) whole tomatoes
1 bay leaf
salt, pepper, fresh basil

In lg saucepan, heat oil over med heat.
Add garlic & saute 2-3 minutes
Add parsley & onion.  Slowly add tomatoes
Stir to break up tomatoes
Add bay leaf, salt & pepper.
Bring to a boil, cover & simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Add some fresh, finely chopped basil.

Serve sauce with spaghetti, dip garlic breadsticks in it, or any other way you love to utilize your favorite sauce!

Pasta Primavera

I found this recipe shortly after Len & I got married.  At first I thought "hmm, this looks interesting" and tossed it into the box.  It wasn't long before I was digging for that recipe because we were running out of money & I had to come up with some wild concoction for supper that would fill him up, but that I should have on hand!  It instantly became a favortite that has continued to bail me out over all these years. 

Serves 4 (which in our house means triple since everyone loves spaghetti any way they can get it!)

1 can (10 3/4oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 c water
3 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp basil leaves, crushed (dried is best)
1/8 tsp EACH garlic powder & pepper
1 bag (16oz) frozen california blend (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
4 c hot cooked spaghetti

In a lg pan, bring water to boil & cook spaghetti according to pkg.
While the water is coming to a boil & you are cooking the spaghetti, in a lg skillet, mix soup, water, cheese, lemon juice, basil, garlic powder, pepper & veggies.  Over med heat, bring to a boil.  Cover & cook over low heat for 5 min or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
Toss with spaghetti
We like to top each serving with a little more freshly grated Parmesan cheese but that is up to you.

Chicken Tetrazini

Another fantastic "comfort food" and highly appreciated on those blustery days...This is also one that is super easy to multiply for large crowds, or when the boys have over all their friends & you are sure there is no amount of food that will stop them from raiding your cupboards bare!

2 Tbs chopped onion
1 Tbs butter
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 c water
1/2 c shredded sharp cheese
1 Tbs sherry
2 c cooked spaghetti
1 1/2 c chopped chicken

Saute onion in butter, add soup, water & cheese till cheese melts.
Add remaining ingredients & heat through.
Serve with veggies of choice & some biscuits for a fantastic, quick, filling meal!