Baked Egg over Marinara

In Italy eggs are eaten often for dinner.  The main meal of the day is lunch and so dinner is usually a lighter meal.  When  staying in Italy with family, I remember on several occasions the combination of eggs, sauce and cheese.  Because the egg is baked in the sauce it takes on the texture of a poached egg.  The pic isnt amazing, but the result was great.  yum.  Eggs are a great source of protein, combined with tomatoes, which are a great source of vitamin E and lycopenes, then add the calcium in cheese, you have a great nutritious, easy to assemble meal.

I made a single serving for myself, but it would be just as easy to make a double or triple serving by changing the recipe accordingly.
ingredients

2 eggs .30
1 cup prepared tomato sauce or make my easy recipe
1 quarter cup mozarella .34

heat oven to 400
pour sauce in bake pan(evenly)
crack two eggs
bake for 20-25 minutes  until eggs are cook
sprinkle in mozarella
bake another 5 minutes until cheese is melted

 remove from oven
let stand 2 minutes and serve

Mushroom Pea Carbonara $6.48

Back again is my old standby when I dont know what to make, Pasta Carbonara. Not sure what makes the dish "carbonara", whether its the bacon, eggs or the combination, but it always delivers. Tonight I had a friend coming by for dinner so I wanted to impress not only with nutrients, but color as well. I had a can of peas and a can of mushrooms,  so I was set. I was a happy cooker.

ents(I made a full pound of pasta because we had 5 diners and also I was ok with a little leftover)
12 oz  spaghetti $1.20
1 tablespoon olive oil .25
1 tsp garlic powder .10
1 can 10 oz mushrooms $ 1.79
1 can 10 oz peas $1.79
4 eggs (only use 1 yolk) .60
2 strips bacon .25
pepper to taste
1/4 cup parm cheese .40


cook pasta to instruction
In large skillet heat oil on low for one minute
add mushrooms and peas
add garlic powder and pepper, saute all for 10 minutes, lower skillet to simmer
crack eggs in a bowl separating the whites from the yolks only keeping one yolk
in separate fry pan cook bacon(or microwave) when bacon is done and crispy put between two paper towels and press so all the grease is eliminated
break bacon in pieces and keep to side

when pasta is cooked, drain, leaving 1/2 boiled pasta water aside
pour pasta into skillet of vegetables, add egg and pasta water
tossing so all the pasta is coated with vegtables and egg
add parm cheese and bacon and toss another minute
remove from heat and serve
add red pepper for a bit of a bite to the dish

Mushrooms are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D which is essential for healthy teeth and bones.  Mushrooms also contain iron, potassium which helps to control blood pressure.

Carrot Cupcakes $5.27

Ever since I discovered babyfood in cooking, I cant get enough of it. Carrot babyfood is very versatile because I can use it in soup, sauce and even desserts. Im making cupcakes tonight, but this could easily be covered into a carrot cake or carrot bread recipe.

2 cups white sugar 1.32
1 cup canola oil .95
4 eggs .60
2 jars carrot baby food 1.76
2 cups flour .48
1/2 tsp salt .03
1 1/2 tsp baking soda .08
1 tsp ground cinnamon .05

preheat oven to 350
in bowl combine flour, slat and baking soda, cinnamon
in separate bowl combine eggs, oil, carrot baby food and sugar
mix the dry ingredients with the liquid ingredients
pour into cupcake pan(if you have cupcake liners that would be great)
bake for 12-15 minutes at 350

Cheese Pizza $4.00

This was a bit of a struggle because I was working with a crust that wasnt going to have yeast in it. I found a recipe on the internet that was made with baking soda, and I gave it a shot(3 times) The issue the first two times was the baking powder caused the dough to rise too much. The first time I rolled out the dough and baked it it rose like a brownie, second time more like a thick stuffed pizza crust,so third time was the charm, and I rolled the dough out paper thin, and that worked, the crust was not doughy, but crunchy. I chose to make a simple cheese pizza, but in the future I will experiment with other toppings.
ingredients
crust

2 1/2 cup flour .70
2  tsp baking soda .10
1 tbsp olive oil .60
3/4-1 cup water

combine ingredients and mix until a dough ball is formed
flour hands and pans(note this is enough dough for two pizza crusts, if only one is needed, cut ingredients in half)
I used a round pan, but cookie sheet will do as well
cook for 20 minutes at 400

Pizza sauce and topping

1 cup tomato sauce .99
1 tsp olive oil .20
1 tsp garlic salt .05
1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.36
heat oil in pan on low add tomato sauce and garlic salt, simmer for 5-10 minutes

remove crust from oven and spread sauce evenly on pizza
top with mozzarella evenly
bake for 20 more minutes until cheese is melted
slice and serve

Healthy Cornfllake Balls

Cereal can be super healthy, especially the cereals without an over abundance of sugar.  Cornflakes is a great example of this.  A one cup serving provides 10% of your reccommended daily intake of vitamin A,C and D.  Also 25% of your recommended daily intake of several B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin B12.  Cornflakes also provide 25mg of potassium per serving.  These cornflake balls not only get nutriton from the cornflakes, they also get protein and fiber from the peanut butter, and  almonds offer high levels of vitamin E, which is great for skin and hair and more importantly it acts as a powerful antioxident, warding off bad cells.

2 cups crushed cornflakes .25
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

in bowl mix cornflakes, cranberries and almonds
heat peanut butter and honey in sauce pan on low until melted together and smooth
pour heated mixture into cornflake mixture and mix all together until cornflakes are completely coated.
spoon into balls and use hands to guide them into shape
free for 30 minutes to lock in the shape.
store in refrigerator.

French Onion Soup

I know I am famous for omitting ingredients when they are not available from my local convenience store, but sometimes a recipe would be impossible without a certain ingredient. This recipe seemed like it would be an impossible one to make without fresh onions, but then I thought I would just try using dry onion and focus more on the broth and the bread and cheese. The result was great, and I dont think the onion was missed.

Cashews Raisin Date Smoothies $2.00

OMG, i pulled this together in 2 minutes from my cuppord full of a hodge podge of food. It was soooo good. I never "drank" raisins before, but they made the drink complete. This drink was loaded with nutrients. 
Dates high source of fiber
Figs are rich in iron, and keeps body active
Cashews protect our bodies nervous system
Raisin are also high in fiber
Milk of course provides calcium, iron, protein

ingredients
1/4 cup raisins .45
1/4 cup figs.45
1/4 cup dates .45
1/4 cup cashews .65
1 Cup milk .12
8 ice cubes

put all ingredients in blender and blend for 1 minute until all ingredients are combined.

Baked Cheese Sticks $5.15

ingredients

1 tbsp water
2 egg whites.30
1 cup bread crumbs(2 slices of bread baked and ground up).40
1/2 tsp garlic powder.05
1/8 black pepper.02
6 pieces string cheese 3.60
3 cups flour.78


In small bowl beat eggs and water
in plastic bag combine breadcrumbs and seasoning
pour flour in bowl
cut cheese sticks in half
coat them in flour, then coat in egg and mix in bag of breadcrumbs
place in baking dish and chill for 4 hours
bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes
let stand 3-5 minutes
serve with marinara, salsa or on their own

Coffee Almond Smoothie $1.31

1 cup brewed coffee .08
1/4 cup raw almonds .60
1/2 cup milk .06
1/4 cup dates .45
1 tsp vanilla extract .12
8-10 ice cubes

This drink is loaded with nutrients.  Milk is high in protein and calcium, dates high in fiber and vitamin A which has a lot of antioxident properties, and almonds high in fiber and protein as well.
blend almond and dates until smooth and creamy
add coffee, milk, vanilla and ice cubes
blend until smooth
serves 2-3

Salmon Salad with Cashews, and cranberries $4.94

Fruit and nuts are a great way to dress up and create different flavors and textures to food. I have found so many different ways to enjoy Salmon, this is just another example. The nutrition in this salad is great. It is loaded with omega 3's, protein, fiber, vitamin A,B,C. If cashews are not on hand, but walnuts or almonds are, by all means, include t them. I mix my salmon with mayo, but olive oil would be acceptable as well.

ingredients
1 can (2 cups) salmon $3.49

1/4 cup nuts of choice .60
1/4 cup dried cranberries .45
1/4 c mayo .40

rinse and drain salmon
combine with fruit, nuts and mayo.
serve

Cashew Date Smootie $1.45

5 medium dates .50
1/4 cup raw cashews .60
1 1/2 cup milk .21
1/4 cup crushed ice
1 tsp honey .14

microwave date 15-2o seconds
pour all ingredients into blender

blend until smooth
if you have a sieve pour into a glass using sieve, if not some pieces of dates will go to bottom of glass
enjoy!!

Peach French Toast $3.23

1/2 cup brown sugar .33
1 cup butter .12
2 tablespoons water
1 cup sliced peaches .99
6 slices bread 1.20
3 eggs .45
1 tsp vanilla .12
1/2 tsp cinnamon .02

In a sauce pan stir together brown sugar, butter and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stir frequently.
Pour brown sugar mixture into a 9x15 inch baking dish and tilt dish to cover bottom
Place peaches in layers over sugar coating
Top with slices of french bread
In separate bowl wisk together eggs and vanilla
pour over bread and evenly sprinkle with cinnamon
refrigerate 8 hours
Remove dish from fridge 8 hours before baking
bake 25-30 minutes

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1.5 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 egg whites
1 cup banana baby food
1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup sugar
1 4 oz bar dark chocolate

preheat oven to 350

in bowl combine vanilla, egg whites, banana babyfood, applesauce and sugar
in separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon
mix all together and stir until smooth
microwave chocolate bar, checking ever 2 seconds so chocolate doesnt burn
when completely melted add to banana batter
grease bread bunt pan, and pour in batter
bake for 3-35 minutes or until fork inserted comes out clean
cool and serve