Creamy Spinach Pasta

I finally created a spinach pasta and sauce that I liked (been trying a while).  I think the garnish of Feta Cheese really adds that needed extra zing so don't hold back!

Ingredients:
3 Servings Linguini (or other pasta of your choice)
2 Cups packed Fresh Spinach
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
4 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Flour
1/2 tsp Minced Garlic (= to 2 fresh cloves garlic)
1/2 pint Whipping Cream (about 1 1/2 Cups)
1/4 Tsp Kosher Salt
Feta Cheese to Garnish... about 1/3 Cup depending on how much you want

Directions:
Cook pasta per instructions on package.   Melt butter in a saucepan and add the flour, mixing until creamy.  Slowly add the Whipping Cream, Minced Garlic, and Salt while whisking.  Cook over medium heat continuing to whisk until creamy.   In a separate pan, saute the Spinach in Olive Oil until wilted (just a few minutes).  Add to Sauce before serving and mix well.     Add any additional flour to thicken more if desired (will thicken upon standing too).   Pour Sauce over Pasta and Garnish with Feta Cheese.  I served with Cheesy Garlic Toast

Yields 2 large or 3 regular servings

Cheesy Garlic Toast

An added treat to any main dish!  I have been making homemade garlic bread for a while and only recently thought to add cheese.   Certainly made it taste even better, but also added to the calorie count.   Feel free to keep the cheese off if you're watching your waistline.  

Ingredients:
French Bread Loaf (I buy the mini kinds)
Butter
Minced Garlic (or Garlic Powder)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Parsley

Directions:
Cut bread in half lengthwise.   Butter the top of each piece.   Sprinkle Minced Garlic, then Mozzarella, then Parsley.   Bake at 400 for about 5-7 minutes.  

Chicken Stir-Fry

This is my first attempt at Stir-Fry inspired by the delicious Soy Sauce Substitute I made the other day.   Easy and yummy....it's going to be a staple for sure!!

Ingredients:
Boneless Chicken Strips
1 bag frozen mixed Vegetables
White Rice (as much as you desire)
1 Cup Soy sauce Substitute
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Sprinkle Garlic Powder
Sprinkle ground Ginger
2 Tsp Cornstarch

Directions:
Cook Rice per instructions on packet.  Meanwhile, cook Chicken in skillet with 1 to 2 Tbsp Olive Oil, 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce Substitute, 1 tsp Cornstarch and sprinkle with Garlic Powder and Ginger.   When Chicken is done, remove and set aside.   Cook Vegetables in same skillet adding all but a couple Tablespoons of the Soy Sauce Substitute, 1 tsp Cornstarch, and sprinkle again with Garlic Powder and Ginger.    Cook until Vegetables are hot and sauce is creamy (about 6 minutes).   When Vegetables are almost done, add the chicken again and stir together.    Serve over the White Rice.   I garnish with the remaining Soy Sauce Substitute (cause it's sooo yummy!)

Creamy Eggs

I love breakfast and I love eggs.   Shortly before being diagnosed with IC, I had started cooking and loving my scrambled eggs with sour cream.  I was heartbroken when I had to give them up.  This is my alternative that turns out to be just as good and possibly better.   I had these tonight for dinner with pancakes.   Doesn't get better than that!

Ingredients:
2 Eggs
1 Tbsp Cream Cheese
Sprinkle Salt

Directions:
Mix eggs and cream cheese in a non-stick skillet.   Cook over medium heat, scrambling continuously until desired consistency.

Tuna Patties

Yum-yum!  These met the sisters approval and isn't too tuna-y tasting.

Ingredients:
1 Can Tuna (Make sure ingredient list is Tuna & Water only)
2 English Muffins (I use Nature's Own, it has no preservatives)
1 Egg
5 Saltine Crackers, crushed
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Dried Parsley
Olive Oil
Sliced White American Cheese

Directions:
Drain Tuna.  In a bowl add Tuna, Egg, and Crackers.  Sprinkle with Onion, Garlic Powder,  & Parsley (more or less per your taste).   Form into 2 patties.   Grill in Olive Oil on Stove top until golden brown on each side.  While grilling, toast English Muffin.  Add Cheese to patty during last minute of grilling until melted.   Add the patty to the English Muffin.   I eat with Lays Wavy Chips.

Yields 2 patties. 

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I had some extra spinach and chicken, so I did an ingredients search on Allrecipes and found this gem.  I substituted Cottage Cheese for the Mayo to make it IC Friendly.  I also left out wrapping it in bacon since I haven't tested bacon yet and wasn't feeling brave.  Feel free to add if it's safe for you.

 
Ingredients:

1/2 cup Cottage Cheese (substitute for mayo)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tsp Minced Onion
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Dash Rosemary 
Dash Salt
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, spinach, feta cheese, garlic, and onion until well blended. Set aside. Carefully butterfly chicken breasts, making sure not to cut all the way through. Sprinkle the chicken with rosemary and salt.  Brown Chicken in olive oil on stove-top first.   Spoon spinach mixture into chicken breasts. Secure with a toothpick. Place in shallow baking dish. Cover. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear.

Macaroni and Cheese

I'm not a huge Mac-n-Cheese fan, but my husband sure is.  Since boxed Mac-n-Cheese are out, I make this one from scratch when I want to make him happy.  You can use any IC-Friendly Cheese (like American).  I had a bunch of extra Mozzarella so I used that.   It wasn't as creamy of a cheese, but still tasted really good... and the hubs was very excited.   

Ingredients:

1 cup dried elbow macaroni (I used Penne cause that's what I had on hand)
1 teaspoon onion powder(if can tolerate)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or any IC Friendly Cheese)

1 Tsp Dried Parsley

2 Pinch Salt

Cook pasta in unsalted water about 10 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain well.

Meanwhile, for cheese sauce, in a medium saucepan melt butter and stir in onion powder and flour. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add American cheese, stirring until melted.  Add Parsley and Salt. Stir in cooked pasta. Transfer mixture to a 1-quart casserole dish.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 4 side dish servings.