Marinara Sauce Question

Can anyone recommend a good Marinara sauce that comes in a jar, I have yet to find one I like? Not necessarily a spaghetti sauce but just a good everyday marinara that goes well with lots of dishes?

Spaghetti Sqaush

This may be silly to some but I just have to share my new favorite side dish.

SpAgHeTtI sQuAsH!!!
It can be easily found at any grocery store, alongside all the many other varieties of squash. (or if I am lucky, my sweet sister gives it to me from her garden) I googled it and I was able to find all sorts of fun recipes for it. I have not tried any yet but I love the classic, with butter, salt and pepper. When you cut it open it looks gunky and seedy like a pumpkin, but after it is cooks it falls apart all stringy. It has a crunchy texture to it, which was not what I expected but it's tasty. The very best part is, a four-ounce serving has only 37 calories. It is a great substitute for those darn carbs.

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash

• Bake It -- Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish. Cook squash in preheated 375?F oven approximately 1 hour or until flesh is tender.
  
  
• Boil It -- Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash. When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size. When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.
  
  
• Microwave It -- Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash. Add more cooking time if necessary. Let stand covered, for 5 minutes. With fork "comb" out the strands.
  
  
• Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot - Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit. Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker. Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.

Chocolate Fondants

serves 6
1 Tbsp. plus 2 sticks (1 Cup) butter
Unsweetened Cocoa powder for dusting
8 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
4 large eggs
4 large yolks
2/3 Cup sugar
1/3 cup flour, sifted

vanilla ice cream to serve

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400*, coat six muffin molds with 1 Tbsp. butter, then dust with cocoa powder making sure it is fully covered in the cocoa to prevent sticking. Tap out excess cocoa.

Stir the chocolate and remaining 2 sticks butter in a heavy medium saucepan over a low heat until smooth. With an electric mixer beat the eggs, egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until pale and double in volume; 3-5 minutes. Fold in the melted chocolate mixture. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Pour into the prepared molds.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly puffed and just set around the edges. Let the fondants rest 3-4 minutes.

Asian Slaw Salad

Most days, this is how I am forced to cook - straight of packages. So, my mom found this dressing and it is my new favorite. Seriously, so good.

-Teresa's Asian Slaw Dressing, to taste (I got it at Kohlers)
-1 bag shredded cabbage/coleslaw
-sliced almonds
-crushed Ramen Noodles, withOUT the seasoning
-craisins (optional, i like it better without these)

Toss and enjoy!

Chicken Croissant Sandwich

Chicken Salad

1 package of Lipton chicken flavored rice (Make as directed, then cool)

1 large chicken breast cooked and chopped/shredded (or I use 1-2 cans of chicken)

1/2 c chopped celery

1/4 c grated carrots

1 small can of onions, chopped

1 T chopped onions

1/2 c mayo

3/4 T vinegar

Mix and cool.

Serve on croissants with leaf lettuce.

Smoothie

Instead of eating sugary things at night, this is my after dinner snack

1 whole orange (peeled of course)

1 banana

Canned peaches (roughly 1 to 1 1/2 peaches)

About of 1/4 c juice (any kind, i use the juice from the peaches)

1-2 T cReAm oF CoCOnUt  **my secret ingredient

1 1/2 - 2 cups of crushed ice 

Blend

*I also had used pears (good source of fiber), raspberries, strawberries, or anything else you want to add.

Granola

I love this stuff with yogurt or as cereal with craisins.

8 cups oatmeal (quick, mini, whole... any kind)

6 cups corn flakes

2 cups rice crispy

In a sauce pan: 

1 1/4 c brown sugar

1 c oil

1 c water

1/2 c honey

1 t salt

Cook to dissolve sugar, add 2 t vanilla

Pour over dry ingredients. Spread on 2 cookie sheets. Bake at 200 degree's for 2 hours, stir every 30 mins.

* This can be halved. 

IHOP Griddle Cakes

Beware, these are REALLY good pancakes!

1 1/4c flour

1 1/2c buttermilk (or you can use powdered milk)

1/3c cream of wheat (instant)

1/3c sugar

1 egg 

1t baking powder

1t baking soda

1/4c oil

1/2t salt

Mix until smooth, enjoy!!