the Cooking Thymes - Pesto

Slow Cooker Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

Muse — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:57:24 GMT

At our house, fall means one thing...football.

If you are looking for an easy dinner that can simmer all day while you enjoy watching your favorite team, this is a touchdown!

P.S. Don't tell anyone, but it's good for you too.

The Muse Gourmet

Marinara Sauce and the 5K

Muse — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:28:32 GMT

About a week or so ago I got the idea to do something that I've never done before. Actually, it was more like something that I've spent the better part of my life avoiding.

Running.

Sheesh. Just the word makes me shutter.

I have the impression that the "run" gear should be saved for moments when you are being chased. By a large animal. With big teeth! In the woods. Alone. At night!

Nonetheless, there are a number of people that seem to enjoy running...or so they say...so I gave it a whirl. I made the mental decision to run a 5K. (Which for you physically fit types is a mere warm up, but this baby is a marathon to me.)

So I began. One foot after the other...on and on and on....

Oooh, running out of breath now....Pain! Pain! My side!....What!?&^! Only 3:46?

That didn't work so well. New plan.

I searched the internet for a plan to help me achieve my goal and bought into the first one that caught my eye.

The "Couch Potato to 5K in 8 Weeks" training plan. PERFECT~

Almost two weeks into it, I've figured out why runners are thin. The love handles on my hips feel like 5 pound bags of sugar strapped to my frame after pounding the pavement for a few minutes.

So...I've decided I need to lose a few pounds to make the goal more achievable. In doing so, I thought about things things that are easy to make and healthy.

The first thing that came to mind was marinara sauce. (For my sake, let's ignore the fact that you generally eat marinara with pasta, which could be argued is loaded with carbs. A girl has to have her pasta. Let's not get all crazy with this diet stuff.)

It took me a bit to appreciate the simplicity of marinara. It's understated, yet quite charming. For me, the first bite is always "Big deal. Tomato sauce." But then, my taste buds get a hint of something subtle and perk up, which leaves me wanting another taste. And I've found that the subtle flavors make this ideal for fussy eaters.

Hope you enjoy it!

The Muse Gourmet

Marinara Sauce Recipe

Muse — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:19:47 GMT

If you like the simple elegance of a good marinara sauce, you will appreciate this recipe. There are just enough flavors to keep your taste buds interested, but you won’t find yourself overpowered by any one ingredient. Great for fussy eaters!

The Muse Gourmet

Italian Chicken Cordon Bleu

Muse — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:37:10 GMT

Asparagus is typically in season April - June. But lately, there has been an abundance of tender sweet asparagus in the local grocery stores. I thought I'd pull out one of my favorite early summer recipes.

I love asparagus. It's one of those foods that's fun to eat. And it's light. Perfect for the dog days of summer.

My Italian Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe is nice for a quick dinner or a summer brunch. As I'm typing this I'm thinking about oven roasted rosemary potatoes, creamy scrambled eggs and one of these chicken roll ups. I know what I'm making for Sunday breakfast...

Trim asparagus spears to be roughly the same length.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add trimmed asparagus spears. Boil 2 minutes. Immediately transfer asparagus to an ice cold water bath to stop the cooking and set the color. Drain.

With a very sharp knife, cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to make 2 thin cutlets out of each breast. Pound each cutlet to create an even thickness across the breast.

Begin to layer remaining ingredients on top of chicken breast cutlets. Begin by spreading 1 Tablespoon of pesto on each piece of chicken. Top with cheese, prosciutto and 4-5 asparagus spears.

Starting on one side of the chicken breast, begin to roll up ingredients around the asparagus. If the rolls do not stay together, secure with a toothpick. Season roll ups with salt and pepper to taste.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken rolls and cover. Cook 4-5 minutes. Turn the roll ups. Cover. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until chicken is done.

The Muse Gourmet

Italian Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Muse — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:15:49 GMT

Ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts wrapped around crunchy, sweet asparagus with fresh herbs and a hint of nutty pesto. Good for a light dinner or brunch.

The Muse Gourmet

Cynthia's Tex Mex Chicken Casserole

Muse — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:49:16 GMT

The Muse Gourmet

Cynthia's Tex Mex Chicken Casserole Recipe

Muse — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:42:33 GMT

Created for a friend who loves Mexican food and doesn’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. This is a great dinner for a busy family. Kids love it and can easily help with preparation. Layering the tortillas, cheese and chicken with colorful peppers is a perfect job for little hands.

The Muse Gourmet

Carrot Ginger Basil Soup

Muse — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:18:19 GMT

A rich and delicious soup with exquisite flavor. Hearty enough to be served as the main course. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan or a dollop of sour cream. Serve with toasted baguettes.

The Muse Gourmet

Sweet Basil Pesto

Muse — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:08:52 GMT

Add a few tablespoons of pesto to your favorite cooked pasta and toss with a little olive oil for a quick dinner. Pesto is a great addition to meatballs, spaghetti sauce, baked potato soup, pasta, salad, dip.

The Muse Gourmet

Authentic Meatballs Recipe

Muse — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:44:09 GMT

Prepare a large batch of these in advance and keep them in the freezer for a quick addition to spaghetti or as an appetizer.

The Muse Gourmet