Pasta e Fagioli

As I have mentioned before, I am an avid fan of  Giada de Laurentiis, ...this recipe the first Giada recipes that I ever attempted. Of course it was delicious!!! Over time,  I adapted her recipe to make it "my own."  Here is the result of that effort:

Pasta e Fagioli

serves 6

Image source: Flickr

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup chopped onion

3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

5 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

1 bay leaf

2 (14.5-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

3/4 cup ditalini pasta

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

Freshly grated Parmesan,optional

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, pancetta, and garlic and sauté until the onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, beans, and dried herbs. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to medium and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes. Add the macaroni and boil with the lid on until it is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Using an immersion blender, partially blend the mixture in the saucepan and stir well. Season the soup with ground black pepper and red pepper flakes.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese if desired.

You can see the original recipe by clicking here.

Paleo Pancakes...

Have you ever seen the recipe for "paleo pancakes" using only two eggs and a very ripe banana for the batter?  I tried that recipe...but did not have much luck with it.  Maybe that's because I used egg substitute and not real egg.  Maybe I will try that again sometime.  If you have never heard of it, here is the recipe...

Paleo Banana Pancakes

(makes 3 pancakes)

Image source:dromo.co

2 very ripe bananas

1 egg

1 pinch of cinnamon

oil for frying

Blend bananas and egg until smooth.  A food processor or blender will work nicely.  Meanwhile heat a little bit of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.  

Place 1/3 of the batter into the skillet and wait for bubbles to appear.  When bubbles are visible, carefully flip the pancake and cook the other side.

Place another third of the batter into the skillet for the second pancake and cook as directed above; repeat again for the third pancake.

Serve immediately for best results.........

WW points: 4 points per recipe

Source:Notquitenigella.com

Banana Boats

This is a great...and probably pretty common treat at the campfire. But did you know that you can create the same gooey goodness in the microwave?  Try it, you're in for a real treat.  This one is not particularly waistline friendly, so try not to get hooked on them.

Image source: People.com

Banana Boats

1 banana per serving

1 banana

1/4 c mini chocolate chips

1/4 c mini marshmallows

 Optional: chopped nuts, for garnish

Leave the skin on the banana.  Peel back a section of skin and cut into the banana on the inside curve, leaving about an inch on top and bottom intact.  

Stuff the mini chocolate chips and min marshmallows into the cut.  Place on a microwave safe plate, cut side up, for 30 to 60 seconds.  You know it's done when the chocolate chips and marshmallows are melting.  Garnish with nuts if you like.  Probably the easiest way to enjoy is with a spoon.

Alternately you can wrap the banana in foil and bake at 350 ℉ until chocolate and marshmallow is melted..about 5 minutes.  You can also cook foil wrapped banana over a campfire or on a grill.

You can also experiment with other fillings...caramel, M & M's, or white chocolate chips for example. Use your imagination...many combinations are possible!