Bow-Tie Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce

I love pasta and therefore am always on the hunt for new pasta sauces.  I found this when googling Butternut Squash recipes.  I had never tried Butternut Squash and wanted to try something new.   This turned out to be pretty good (the hubs really liked it!).   You can't go into it having any preconceived ideas of what pasta sauce should taste like, because this is very different... but that's part of the fun.... more variety in our limited IC-Diet! I had garlic bread and green beans on the side.   Was a great well-rounded meal!

Ingredients:
Bow-Tie Pasta (or whatever pasta you prefer)
1 Medium sized Butternut Squash
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 small Yellow Onion
5 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp Dried Sage
1/4 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Milk
1/3 Cup Butter
1/4 tsp Salt

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package.  Cut Squash into 1 inch cubes.  Chop Onion into small chunks.  Cook onions in oil until clear.  Add Sage, Garlic, and Salt. Add Squash and water.  Cook about 15 minutes until squash is soft.  Transfer to blender and blend.  Add more water if you want thinner. 

Pear Smothered Pork Chops

This was one of the first recipes I cooked that I loved after being diagnosed with IC and is a pantry staple now.   I had no experience cooking with pork before.  Learning how to cook new meats has really offered me variety in a diet that is so restrictive.   I got this recipe from the cookbook, A Taste of the Good Life by Beverley Laumann.  

Ingredients:
 2 center-cut pork loin chops
1/4 tsp ground sage
dash salt and pepper
2 large, firm-ripe pear (original recipe calls for 1, but I like lots of pears so used two)
2 Tbsp. unsulphured molasses
2 Tbsp flour
1 Cup water

Directions:
In a skillet, brown pork chops in olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.  Remove chops to casserole dish.  Sprinkle sage on chops.  Peel and slice pear, placing slices on top of chops.  Combine flour with small amount of water to make a paste, then add to cup of water (about 2 Tbsp).  Add molasses to water and mix well.  Over low heat, pour liquid into hot skillet, scraping up browned bits of pork chops.  When slightly thickened, pour sauce over chops, cover, and bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until done.

Blueberry & Pear Smoothie

What to do when you're craving a Summer Smoothie, but are so limited by the fruits you can eat?  Make a smoothie with the two fruits you can eat... Blueberries and Pears!  When making this, I wasn't sure if it'd be any good, but turns out it is rather refreshing and yum.   And Blueberries and Pears are full of nutrients that are great for your body!

Ingredients:
1 Cup Milk
2 Cups Ice Cubes
1/2 Cup Blueberries ( used fresh)
1/2 Cup Pears (I used canned, all I had)
1 Tbsp Honey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.   Makes 2 glasses.

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.