Linguine with Asparagus, Parmesan, and Bacon

Another quick and healthy one :)

3 cups (1 inch) sliced asparagus (about 1 pound)
1 (9oz) package refrigerated linguine
4bacon slices (uncooked)
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup fat/free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup (2oz) preshredded Parmesan cheese

Cook asparagus and pasta according to pasta package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; set aside.

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp; cool slightly. Remove bacon from the pan, reserving the 2 teaspoons drippings in pan. Crumble bacon. Add onion, garlic and oregano to drippings in the pan; saute 4 minutes or until onion is lightly browned. Add tomatoes; cook 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to a boil. Stir in butter, salt, and pepper; remove from heat. Place asparagus mixture in a large bowl; add tomato mixture and juice, tossing well. Top with bacon and shredded cheese. Garnish with shaved Parmesan, if desired.

4 servings

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese...oh yeah its healthy too!

So I made this Mac N' Cheese the other night and it was soooo quick and easy :)

1 (1oz) slice whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups fat-free milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup (2oz) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
5 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
4 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked)

Preheat oven to 350

Place bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/2 cup.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 2 minutes). Add cheeses; stir until melted.

Add spinach and macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring until well blended. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bade at 350 for 15 minutes or until bubbly.

4 servings

Easy Salmon Dinner to Wow Someone Special

Keely's incredible salmon dinner....

Asher's favorite Keely creation and my go-to for impressing dinner guests.

Fillet of salmon

1/2 c balsamic vinegar

1/2 c grade b maple syrup

wild rice

Cook rice according to directions.

Boil vinegar and syrup, reducing until it thickens. (about 20-25 minutes for me...) I'm not the master however. 

Grill or bake salmon - however you want. 

Serve the salmon over the bed of wild rice, topping with the vinegar-syrup reduction. Typically I serve with steamed broccoli. I've always wanted to add dried cherries to the wild rice. 

Side note: I made this for my in-laws tonight, and it seemed sweeter than normal. I did use grade a maple syrup b/c it was all I had on hand, and that definitely could've been the culprit. I'm not sure  if I should've added a bit more balsamic or what...