Tortellini Soup

I found this tortellini soup recipe a couple years ago on All Recipes and we absolutely love it.  It's easy to make and really delicious.  I look forward to making this soup every year as soon as the weather turns cold!  The only modification I made to the original recipe is I add protein (for the hubs).

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small red onion, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/4 cup red wine

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1 (11 ounce) can white corn, undrained

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

8 ounces cheese tortellini (I use whole wheat)

2 links chicken sausage (I typically use Hot Italian or Chicken Parmesan from the Sprouts meat counter)

In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion, zucchini and garlic in oil three minutes, until onion is translucent. Stir in crushed tomatoes, broth, sugar, Italian seasoning, wine and pepper sauce and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and stir in corn and Parmesan.  Separately brown sausage and add to large pot.  Simmer 30 minutes.               

Stir in tortellini and simmer 10 minutes more, until pasta is tender.               

Summer Pasta

My friend Julie made me this pasta dish last summer for lunch one day (sans the meat).  I fell IN LOVE with this dish and have put it on our dinner rotation ever since!

1 box whole wheat pasta
1 package grilling cheese (Yanni or Halloumi)
2 roma tomatoes
a handful of fresh basil
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
2 chicken sausage links (tonight I used Sprouts spicy parmesan )

this recipe is fast.  i used a box of Barilla whole grain penne pasta.  cook pasta according to directions on box (9 minutes).  as the pasta is cooking, brown sausage in pan with a tiny splash of olive oil (casings removed).  cut tomatoes into big chunks and add to new pan with a tiny splash of olive oil, then add cut up basil leaves and garlic.  cook for a couple minutes then take off heat.  slice the grilling cheese in half and place in grilling plan on the stove to brown and warm.  cut cheese into bite size chunks.  after you've drained pasta, pour back into pot, adding cooked sausage, tomatoes/basil/garlic, and sausage.  serve and enjoy.  i'll admit tonight's meal was SO good john and i each had 2 servings.  thanks julie for a delicious recipe!
Prep time: 15 min.

Note:  If memory serves me correctly, Halloumi cheese isn't cheap.  I can only find it at Central Market and I think it's $8 or $9.  Today I was at Sprouts and thought I'd try the Yanni grilling cheese I've seen there before.  It was $4 and tastes the same.

TIP:  Buy on sale and stock your freezer/pantry.  I bought chicken sausage a week ago when it was on special, divided it up and stuck it in the freezer.  I actually had everything on hand today except for the cheese!

Tortellini with Vegetables and Chicken

I make this dish a lot because it's an all-in-one meal and fast.

1 package whole wheat tortellini
1 zucchini
1 squash
2 tomatoes
2 chicken breasts, seasoned
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (or a little less)
1 cup pasta water, reserved
marinate the chicken as early in the day as possible, or even the night before.  this morning i put the chicken in a ziploc bag and used italian dressing, pepper and fresh herbs.
cook tortellini as per instructions in large pot.  before draining reserve 1 cup of pasta water.  after draining water pour the pasta back into pot. 
in a separate grill pan grill chicken on stove, then cut into bite size pieces.
wash and slice vegetables.  sautee with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, pepper and salt, and italian seasoning.  pour vegetables and chicken into pot with pasta.  add cup of pasta water and parmesan cheese.

A couple notes:  You can bake the chicken in the oven if you prefer baked chicken over grilled chicken.  In the past I've also used chicken sausage and loved it.  Tonight I used Buitoni Whole Wheat Three Cheese Tortellini and found it at Target.  Whole wheat pasta is key because it's high in fiber and protein.  Be sure and measure the parmesan cheese so you don't use too much.  Cheese is a big weakness of mine!

TIP:  Plant an herb garden.  If you don't have space in your yard, plant them in a pot.  It's easy to care for and fresh herbs really complete a dish.  I am a big fan of basil and use it a ton this time of year.