Cheese Tortellini

(I couldn't find this on here, if it has already been posted we can delete this one.)

Ingredients:
1 (19oz) bag of frozen cheese tortellini 
1 small bag of fresh spinach (I used about half of a 5 oz package, but more is better!)
2 (14.5 oz) cans of Italian style diced tomatoes, drained
1 block (8 oz) of cream cheese** (softened in microwave)
1 lb. of ground sausage or chicken/turkey sausage
3-4 cups of chicken broth (start with 3, add 1 more if it looks like it needs it)

Brown the sausage and put all ingredients in crockpot,
chunking up the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 4-6 hrs.

Serves 4-6 

*Keep an eye on your tortellini, it may be done sooner.
*If still soupy, leave lid off for the last half hour or so of cooking. 
*For a vegetarian version, omit sausage and use vegetable broth instead.

Jerk Pork With Caribbean Salsa

2-3 lb boneless pork roast
6 cloves garlic, crushed
2-3 T. Jerk seasoning
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1 Lime, squeezed
1/2 c. fresh orange juice

Caribbean Salsa:
1 avocado, diced
2 large ripe mangos, diced
1 1/2 T. red onion, minced
1-2 T. cilantro, chopped
2-3 T. lime juice
Salt & pepper to taste

Cooked rice

Using a sharp knife cut slits into the portk and stuff holes with half of the crushed garlic. (I placed small whole piece of garlic into the slits).  Combine the remaining garlic, jerk seasoning, and salt together.  Rub all over pork.  Place in container, pour lime and orange juice over the pork; cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.

The next morning, put pork with marinate in crock pot and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours.

Shred pork to eat.

Salsa: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, season with salt and pepper.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.


(Zach and I both loved this recipe!  However, we both want to find some kind of dipping sauce for it.  If you find something PLEASE let me know!)

Italian Chopped Salad

Sweet Italian Dressing:
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
2 T. Honey
1 tsp. dried Italian Seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c. olive oil

Place vinegar, honey, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper in blender or food processor.  While machine is running, slowly drizzle the olive oil until the dressing is combined and emulsified.  Adjust seasoning if necessary.  Add more oil for less acidity.

Salad:
1lb bacon
2 c. ditalini pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
1 c. crumbled gorgonzola cheese
2 hears romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 small red cabbage (optional or use more lettuce)
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 small red onion, minced

Cook pasta, drain and cool.  Preheat over to 375* line baking pan and cook bacon for 10-15 (or until crispy OR cut bacon into piece and fry until bacon bits are done.)

In large bowl, combine the bacon, cooked pasta, gorgonzola, romaine lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes and red onion.  Add dressing and toss  OR build your own salad.

Orange Creamsicle Jello

2 small orange gelatin packages
1 c. boiling water
1 (6oz) frozen oj concentrate
1 c. cold water (OR the juices from the canned fruit)
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 small can crushed pineapples, drained

Topping:
1 small pkg. instant lemon pudding
2 c. cold milk
1 c. coolwhip

Boil 1 cup water and dissolve orange jellos until clear.  Add frozen oj and fruit.  Pour into 9x13" pan.  Let set in fridge until firm.

For topping, whip together pudding and milk.  Fold in coolwhip.  Pour pudding mixture over jello and keep in fridge until ready to serve.

Slaw Turkey Burger

1 lb. Ground Turkey
1. T Dijon mustard
1 T. Fresh (or dried) thyme leaves
2 green onion stalks, chopped fine
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
1 T. olive oil (not needed if BBQing)
2 T. mayonnaise
1 T. white wine vinegar
2 leaves romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
1 med. carrot, grated
4 hamburger buns

In bowl combine turkey, mustard, thyme, green onions, salt and pepper.  Do not over mix.  Make 4 patties.  Either bbq patties or heat olive oil in skillet and cook through (about 6-8 mins per side.)

Meanwhile, in bowl whisk together mayo, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Add romaine lettuce and carrots, set aside.

Once burgers are done, top with slaw and enjoy!

(I like the slaw, my family did not!)