Cheesy Lasagna Cupcakes

It’s the first week of Spring and in Northern California its been 80 Degrees and gorgeous outside as we’ll as freezing and raining… So I wasn’t sure which way to go for Meatless Fridays. I made my Vegan Chili yesterday & we’ve been eating that to stay full and warm But now it looks like its going to be nice out….? I’m not sure what the weather is doing but I’m ready for a bit of a guilty pleasure… Portion control has been my biggest savor in my indulging while on my beach bride diet I mean lifestyle change Also, trying I’m to make more “Skinny” Italian dishes so I don’t feel the need to cheat on my new “lifestyle”. I made the Mac & Cheese Cupcakes for Super Bowl which were such a HUGE hit… They still get daily hits on the Blog So next Italian favorite in a perfectly portioned cupcake… Lasagna! This is kid friendly, easy, CHEAP and Delish! Also because of the size, these would be great appetizers for a party or Pot Luck. You could easily turn these into a carnivore delight. Add cooked Italian Sausage instead of Mushrooms & Zucchini. Lets get started…

Lasagna Cupcake Recipe

• 24 Won Ton Wrappers
• 1 Cup Fast & Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe (You may use a jar, IF you must)
• 12 Slices of Zucchini
• 1/2 Cup LIGHT Alfredo Sauce or Pesto Sauce
• 6 Thinly Slicked Mushrooms
• 1 Cup Italian Cheese Mixture (Or Mozzarella)
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan-Romano Grated Cheese
• Dried Oregano

INSTRUCTIONS

PRE HEAT Oven to 375 Degrees.

These are the Won Ton Wraps I found at Safeway (On sale for $2.00)

Slice your Mushrooms VERY thin and sauté over Medium heat with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a couple of minutes.

Slice your Zucchini thin, but not paper thin… Like, 1/8″ thickness.

Using your MISTO (Because you ALL better have one by now) spray your Cupcake pan with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

You will need 2 Won Ton Wraps per cupcake.

Add 1 1/2 TBSP of Marinara to the bottom of each wrappers, then place a Zucchini slice on top.

Then, add 1 TBSP of Alfredo or Pesto Sauce on the Zucchini. Top your Sauce of choice with Sautéed Mushrooms (Or Meat for those who wish).

Top Mushrooms with a “Healthy” Pinch (One of my favorite measurements) of Italian Cheese Blend. Then, top your Cheese with a TBSP of your Marinara, Alfredo or Pesto Sauce (Whichever you prefer most).

Top Sauce of choice with Parmesan-Romano Blend and Dried Oregano.

Place a piece of Aluminum Foil on top of this, don’t tighten and secure around the edges, just lightly set on top. Place on the center rack of your Pre-Heated oven for 15 Minutes. Then, remove foil and continue to bake for 5 Minutes.

This is the rough part, because now they’ve filled your house with a yummy smell. But, you need to let them cool for about 10-15 Minutes…

This is what the wonderful goodness looks like inside…

So easy, so quick and lets you get some DELISH in without all the guilt. I make a big green salad or steam a bunch of veggies as my main dish and enjoy one or two of these. Makes you feel naughty, but you still fit in your Skinny Jeans

We’ve only got one more Meatless Friday after this. It’s Good Friday and I know many of you will be hosting Easter at your house, so you don’t want to spend a lot of time or have a mess Friday night… I’ll have a great recipe for that. Don’t you worry!

Here are the other Meatless Friday Recipes for you to try if you need other options:

Colcannon Potato Cakes Recipe

Better Than Carmela’s Baked Ziti Recipe 

Meatless & Tasty Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Easy Thai Yellow Curry Recipe

Mushroom Risotto Recipe

ENJOY MY TRAINEES!!!

Major shout out to CANADA!!! Canadian’s you were all showing Mrs. Training the most love & traffic this last week. Even more than the USA! I apologize for talking about our good weather this week!  :) And to EVERYONE who stopped by, Thank you and I hope you enjoyed!

Happy Spring!

-GMP

Colcannon Potato Cakes

Top O’ Tha Mornin’ To Ya!

I’m a BIG St. Patrick’s Day fan… I lived in Chicago for two years and my holiday spirit and liver were trained to perfection. I’m not even sure that Ireland does St. Patty’s like Chicago does… The River is dyed GREEN! People fly from all over the world to be in Chicago for St. Patty’s… That is no exaggeration… Bars OPEN at 6 AM that morning before the Parades start and don’t close until 4 AM the next day… The first time I did it, I felt like I should’ve gotten a T-Shirt at the very least. You get one after a Marathon, why not one for you AND your liver surviving 22 Hours of Green Beer?! This is a picture of the 1st year. This is at 10 AM…

I can’t quite pull the 22 Hour celebration anymore…(God only knows how much I wish I could ) But I can celebrate in a whole new way… Mixing in some Irish Specialties. Since traditional Irish food is usually “Meat & Potatoes” I have to get a little creative since I don’t eat corned beef or fish and chips… I thought this would tie in perfectly with my Meatless Fridays during Lent. Which makes me wonder, since Ireland has so many Catholics, what do they eat on their Meatless Fridays??? Hmmmm… Well, maybe they will start making this dish, because it is SOOOOOO GOOD! I love carbs, we all know this by now, it’s a simple question. But what about fried potatoes?! YES PLEASE!!!! Latkes, Potato Pancakes, Fries, Tots, Oh My! So why not Colcannon Potato Pancakes? First I will show you how to make just the Colcannon if you’d like to skip the breading and frying part

COLCANNON POTATOES RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 3 LBS Small Golden Potatoes (I leave the skins on you don’t have too)
• 2 TBSP Kosher Salt
• 1 1/4 Sticks Unsalted Butter
• 1 1/4 Cup Milk (You can use anything from NON Fat to Whipping Cream)
• 6 Cups Coarsely Chopped Cabbage
• 1 Cup Thinly Sliced Green Onion
• 1 TBSP Kosher Salt
• Freshly Cracked Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Clean potatoes, remove the skin if you prefer too. If you use small Gold potatoes there is no need, the skins are so thin that once they’re boiled the skin is as soft as the potato itself. In a Large pot place all potatoes at the bottom and fill with cold water so that the potatoes are covered with water 2 inches above them.  Add 2 TBSP of Salt to the water for boiling. Bring to a boil and let potatoes boil for 15-20 Minutes (Until you can stick a fork into the center). Pour water and potatoes into a strainer. Let them stay there until later.

In the same Pot, over Medium-High heat add butter and let it completely melt before you add in the Cabbage.

Stir Cabbage into melted butter, let it cook for 5 Minutes. Then, add Green Onion and cook for another minute.

Pour in your Milk, then your cooked Potatoes. Using a butter knife begin to mash the Potatoes.

Continue to mash by hand or with your electric mixer (the Kitchen Aid is my personal favorite). Then, serve as a side to any meal of choice with a dollop of Butter (if you’re not worried about the calories LUCKY!)

COLCANNON POTATO CAKE OR PANCAKES RECIPE (This made 8 Cakes)

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable Oil for frying
• 2 Cups Colcannon Potatoes
• 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs & Extra for Outsides
• Freshly Cracked Pepper
• Kosher Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

In a Medium bowl add Colcannon, Egg, Flour and 1/4 Cup of Breadcrumbs. Mix throughly, add Cracked Pepper to your taste.

Using your hands, form the mixture into a 1/4 Inch thick patty and dip into your additional Breadcrumbs.

In a Medium or Large Skillet over Medium heat, add Vegetable Oil. Cook your Cakes for 3-5 Minutes on each side (Time depends on your stove & personal preference to crispiness). Lightly sprinkle with Kosher Salt.

Then, remember this is a St. Patty’s Vegetarian meal, so add a nice big Green Salad, Artichoke, Asparagus or other GREEN Vegetable to help even out the nutrition of this dinner. And here you go…

Here is a sneak peak inside…

Soooo delish! So now you can still enjoy your Green Beers, but now you have something to help soak up those Irish Car Bombs and also help nurse your hangover I will be making some Guinness Brownies tomorrow and posting the recipe. If you need more Meatless Friday recipes please try my past weeks Posts:

Mushroom Risotto Feast

Easy Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

Meatless & Tasty Lettuce Wraps

Fast & Easy Marinara Sauce

Better Than Carmela’s Baked Ziti

Remember to head over to Target, Michael’s, Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Store, Walmart and other discount stores for your VERY Cheap St. Patrick’s Day T-Shirts, Green Wigs, Socks, Hats, Decorations & More!

Thank you for stopping by Mrs. Training!
XO

-GMP

Better Than Carmela’s Baked Ziti

If any of you were Soprano’s fans… You know all about Carmela’s Baked Ziti. Legendary. I can’t hear ‘Ziti’ without thinking of Carmela. No matter how great of a cook you are, there’s always one dish that you make better than anyone else in your family or group of friends. The dish that everyone always asks you to bring, or recipe everyone asks for. Depending on if you’re Italian or not will depend on if you actually give it out. Most Italian women only give these recipes up on their death bed, some never do. This was Carmela’s dish… Baked Ziti is many East Coast Italian women’s “dish”. If you’re celebrating something you make it, when someone dies you make it. Traditionally baked ziti has Italian Sausage cut up in it and also uses a meat sauce, but, not only do I not eat the Swine, it’s Meatless Fridays during Lent. So I added some vegetables to not only add a “Meat Like” texture, but also adds secret nutrition for your family. For all of you that are making this for meat eaters, I challenge you to not tell them it’s vegetarian and see if they notice. The other problem with ziti or baked pasta dishes in general is the carb/fat content. So I’ve made this one lean and mean. You can also very easily make this Gluten Free or Vegan. Don’t be shocked if you can’t find actual Ziti at the store, it’s not easy to come across. Use Mostaccioli or Rigatoni, or ANY OTHER Medium Sized Pasta of your Choice.

*Gluten Free- Use Rice Pasta and Tempura Breading instead of Bread Crumbs (make sure they are Gluten Free, not all Tempura is)

*Vegan- Use Soy Cheese

BAKED ZITI RECIPE

• 16 Oz Box Ziti, Mostaccioli or Rigatoni Pasta
• 1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Zucchini Corsely Chopped
• 1 Yellow Squash Coarsely  Chopped
• 1 Large Red Bell Pepper Coarsely Chopped
• 6 Large White Mushrooms Coarsely Chopped
• 2 TBSP Minced FRESH Garlic
• Marinara Sauce (This Recipe costs less than $5, if you MUST, get a Jar of your fav Sauce)
• 1/3 Cup Pesto Sauce (Homemade or Store Bought)
• 8 Oz Italian Blend Cheese Shredded
• 1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs or Tempura Crumbs
• Low-Fat Mozzarella Shredded
• Fresh Chopped Basil
• Parmeasan-Reggiano (To top with after if you like)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees. In a Large Pot cook your Pasta of choice mine is Barilla Mostaccioli (for Baked dishes) al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a Large Skillet over Medium heat, add Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Red Bell Pepper and Garlic. Cook for 5 Minutes then add Mushrooms, cook until all vegetables are sautéed.

Now, back in your Large Sauce Pot, add your Easy Marinara Sauce and Pesto Sauce.

These are the Cheeses I used. Add Italian Five Cheese Blend now…

Stir continuously until Cheese melts. Stir in Sautéed Vegetable & Cooked Pasta.

Stir well so that the saucy/cheesy goodness gets all over inside and out of the pasta. Add 1 handful of Basil.

Using a “Casserole” (I hate that word, still not sure why) dish or any other Baking Dish… Spray with your Misto. Then, add the mixture to your pan. Sprinkle with a handful of Mozzarella.

Next add Breadcrumbs or Panko Crumbs. Put into your Preheated oven for 30 Minutes.

Then, you get this yummy-ness.

Let cool for 30 Minutes (Or as Long as you possibly can ) Top with Basil Parmesan Cheese and Crushed Red Chilies if you’d like to kick it up a notch!

GARLIC BREAD

Well, my name is Gina, and I’m a CARB-AHOLIC. It’s not even close to being okay how deep I am into this addiction. Hence why I’m taking a break for Lent. But, prior to that one big change I made 9n the past year is never buying bread for the house. If it’s not there you don’t eat it. Going out to dinner is a different story. So on “Big Dinner” nights as my soon to be likes to call them, I just buy a single roll in the Bulk Bread bins at the grocery store(Usually about 50 Cents). Cut it length wise, butter each side and add freshly chopped Garlic. Then toast for a couple minutes. Now, you won’t go overboard on the bread and you still get to enjoy it. I paired with Balsamic Fig Vinegar.

I would definitely pair this with more vegetables like a Salad or you can pair with fruit like me. Grapes to be exact… We picked up this AHHMAZZING Ravens Wood 2010 Bedrock Zinfandel on our most recent Sonoma trip. Its from their vineyard that was planted in 1885… Hello FLAVOR TOWN! It isn’t a bargain wine, but it is worth every penny.

If you need more Meatless Friday Recipes Click Below…

Mushroom Risotto Feast

Easy Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

Meatless & Tasty Lettuce Wraps

TGIF Pizza Night

A BIG Thank You to all my followers… It makes this Blog so much more fun to do… Especially with all of the International Traffic I’ve been getting (Then I know it’s not just my friends and local stockers)… SHOUT OUT to Canada, Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia, France, Spain, Italy (Probably Family, CIAO), United Kingdom, Ghana, Israel, Brazil, Australia and the Philippines. LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Go Train Away!

-GMP

Fast & East Marinara Sauce Recipe

FAST MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE

• 2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 Cups Chopped Onion
• 2 TBSP Minced Garlic (FRESH GARLIC)
• 28 Oz Can San Marzano Whole Tomatoes
• 15 Oz Tomato Sauce
• 1 TBSN Kosher Salt
• Crushed Pepper to taste (I do about 1 TBSP)
• 1 TBSP Italian Seasoning

In a Medium Sized Sauce Pot over Medium heat, add Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Onion. Cook until translucent about 7 Minutes, then add Garlic, cook another Minute or two. Then, add your Whole Tomatoes crush them with your fingers while putting them into the pot. Stir in Tomato Sauce, Kosher Salt, Crushed Pepper and Italian Seasonings. Bring to a light Boil and reduce heat to low for 20 Minutes. This can be used for ANYTHING!

Meatless & Tasty Lettuce Wraps

Meatless Fridays continue with lettuce wraps! If you haven’t seen the last 2 weeks recipes click on these links for the Mushroom Risotto Feast and Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry. YUM & YUM! Ever since my first trip to P.F. Chang’s (a million years ago) I’ve been lettuce wrap obsessed. They are famous for their Chicken Lettuce Wraps and customized dipping sauces (Also, right now, still have deals for Chinese New Year). Since giving up breads, pastas, flour, etc for Lent (NEVER again) I’ve had to get really creative with my dinners. I’m trying to balance the Wedding Diet with my love for food and flavor. Lettuce wraps have no breads and these ones will have no meat. These can be made as an appetizer or entrée. Mushrooms naturally have the most “meat-like texture” for a vegetable, so they are a great alternative. The mushroom mixture saves great so make extra and use as an easy grab-and-go lunch for a couple of days.

INGREDIENTS

• Rice Noodles (I made the entire 6 Oz. Bag, you don’t need half of that if just making wraps)
• 2 TBSP Sesame Seed Oil
• 1/2 Cup Diced Yellow Onion
• 4 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 2 TBSP Rice Vinegar
• 8 Oz Portobello Mushrooms
• 16 Oz White Mushrooms
• 1 tsp Cracked Pepper
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/3 Cup Finely Chopped Ginger
• 8 Oz Can Bamboo Shoots Chopped Coarsely
• 5 Oz Water Chestnuts Chopped Coarsely
• 1 Cup Chopped Green Onions (Plus more for Garnishing if you like)
• Lettuce of your choice
• Toasted Sesame Seeds (Garnish if you like)

The rice noodles are cheap and easy to cook with. This 6 ounce bag cost $0.99… DEAL! Even better that they’re so easy to make. They will take on a flavor you addd. For the G-Frees out there’s, use these noodles as a pasta substitute as well!

Any Rice Noodles will do (I went for the cheapest I could find). In a bowl filled with water add your Noodles and let sit for 20 Minutes.

Drain Noodles. In a Medium Pot, add Noodles to boiling water. Boil Noodles for 15 Minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a Medium sized pot, over Medium heat add Sesame Oil, Onion and Garlic.

Stir until Onion is translucent, about 7 Minutes.

Add Portobello and White Mushrooms. Mix well and add Rice Vinegar, Cracked Pepper and Kosher Salt. Stir over Medium Heat for 10-15 Minutes.

While that cooks… In a small bowl, Mix Ginger, Bamboo Shoots and Water Chestnuts.

Stir Mixture into the Pot after the Mushrooms have Sautéed.

If you’d like a little extra spice add a few of these Dried Chilies (most grocery stores will carry them).

Reduce Heat to low and cook for 10 Minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and stir in Green Onions.

Take your lettuce, clean and cut off the stem. Separate leaves and put on a plate to serve

Take one Leaf at a time and put in Rice Noodles.

Add Mushroom Mix, top with Sesame Seeds and Green Onion to your preference.

Then add whatever Sauces you prefer. These are some of my favorite… House of Tsang Peanut Sauce, Sambal Oelek Chili Paste, Kikkoman Soy Sauce (Low Sodium), Sriracha (Rooster Sauce) or ANY OTHER SAUCE! Spicy Mustard is great too!

Then, ENJOY!!!

Thank you for stopping by Mrs. Training! Have a great weekend & let me know of any Meatless recipes you’d like me to try or Post!

TGIF!!!

-GMP

Easy Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

As promised the Meatless Friday Dinner Recipes continue during Lent. Last week I made Mushroom Risotto in case you missed it check it out, very yummy. This one you are going to LOVE! Especially since I’ve made it VERY easy. I make this same recipe with thinly slice Chicken Brest also, it’s very versatile. I change which vegetables I am using depending on what is in season or on sale, DUH I’m a BIG fan of Trader Joe’s… They have many of their own version with the different ethnic foods they carry. I know I’m a picky eater, so I’m very extreme with my likes and dislikes… SORRY I’M NOT SORRY. They either nail it… Or they do whatever it is that they did with their “version” of Pirate’s Booty… Which in itself is a travesty… If you can’t get knock off Pirate’s Booty correct, then don’t do it, it’s just not right. Back to the subject, with this Yellow Curry, Trader Joe’s or TJ’s as I like to call it, NAILED IT! Their Red Curry is equally perfected I’m just a bigger fan of Yellow Curry in general.

THAI YELLOW CURRY RECIPE

• 2 TBSN Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Yellow Onion Thinly Sliced
• 1 Cup Russet Potato Peeled & Cubed
• 1 Medium Carrot Peeled & Thinly Sliced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper Thinly Sliced
• 8 Oz White Mushrooms Quartered
• 2 Bottles Trader Joe’s Yellow Curry
• 1 1/2 Cups Broccoli Steamed
• 1/2 Can Corn Kernels
• 1 Can Low Fat Coconut Milk
• 1 Cup French Green Beans Steamed
• 2 Inch Piece of Ginger Finely Chopped (Optional)
• Fresh Chopped Basil (Optional)
• Jasmine Rice or Brown Rice

In a Medium or Large Pot over Medium heat add Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add Onion and Potato, cook for 2-3 Minutes. Add Carrot and cook another 5 Minutes.

Add Red Bell Pepper, stir for 2 Minutes, add Mushrooms and cook for 5 Minutes.

This is what the bottles look like from Trader Joe’s, their Coconut Milk is a good price as well.

Add Yellow Curry Sauce and a half Bottle of Water to each Jar used. Mix in Broccoli.

Add Corn Kernels and desired amount of Coconut Milk. This all depends on the amount of spice you like. Just add a little at a time until it is exactly to your liking. Cook for 5 Minutes.

Add Green Beans ( I like to cut them into smaller pieces so they are easily spooned when eating). Bring to a light Boil, cover with your lid and simmer for 20 Minutes.

If you like a little extra flavor/spice (Not for the kiddos) add Chopped Ginger before you bring to a Boil. This is one of my Italian Measurements… I added “this much”…

And Drummmm Rolllll…. Add your fresh Basil now if you’d like….

Then you serve over Rice, Bread whatever you’d like. This Jasmine Rice is Pre-Cooked and just has to be Microwaved for 3 Minutes (Great for Work Lunches). You can also use Brown Rice which is the Mister’s preference.

My other favorite (I gave up wheat/flour for Lent so this is me day dreaming) thing to serve Curry over is Naan. Trader Joe’s has a great fresh Naan for $3.69.

There you go my Trainers! Thank you for stopping by Mrs. Training, as always, please help spread the word to your friends.  If you have any questions, please ask.

TGIF!!!!

-Mrs. Training

Mushroom Risotto Feast

It’s that time of year… Lent… Where every Friday, Italian families everywhere are all trying to figure out… HOW do you feed a family for an entire day WITHOUT… Meat?! Well, here we go my friends, I have given up bread, wheat, bread-ish anything for Lent, not because I’m very religious anymore, but because the Catholic fear from my childhood still is alive inside me I will have a different Meatless Dinner for you every Friday during Lent. Risotto can be, really fattening. Many recipes call for Creams and up to 2 Sticks of Butter! Ahhhhh! That sounds amazing, but doesn’t work with the Wedding Diet … This is a recipe that not only tastes AMAZING… It’s Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Cal… You can replace the 4 TBSP of Butter with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and make it Vegan

Antipasti/o/a (I guess Italian’s couldn’t decide if it was masculine/feminine/neither)

This is just some simple Giardinera Mix (Pickled Vegetables) Mezzetta is my favorite with Trader Joe’s Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives, Cornichon Pickles and Marinated Mushrooms mixed together, served with Cheddar Cheese. I will do a legitimate Antipasto plate post at some point. It will be after Lent so I can enjoy the breads that go with it

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients

• 4 TBSP Unsalted Butter
• 1 Yellow Onion Diced
• 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
• 8 Oz Brown Baby Bella Crimini Mushrooms
• 8 Oz White Mushrooms
• 16 Oz Arborio Rice
• 1 Cup Dry White Wine ($2 Charles Shaw is my fav)
• 8 Cups Vegetable Stock (You can also use Chicken or Beef Broth)
• Kosher Salt & Cracked Pepper to your liking
• Grated Parmesan/Romano Cheese
• Freshly Chopped Basil

In a saucepan heat your Stock on low-medium heat. Slice all your mushrooms thin. Dice your onion with food chopper if you like, this is my favorite from Pampered Chef for $32. Warm your butter over Medium heat in a large skillet pan.

Add half of your diced Onions and Minced Garlic, stir for a minute. Add Crimini Mushrooms, then your White Mushrooms.

Stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes. Once, the mushrooms/onion mix is sautéed, turn off heat. In a large sauce pot over Medium heat, add Extra Virgin Olive Oil, add remaining Diced Onions.

Once Onions are translucent, add your Arborio Rice to the pot. Add your White Wine and stir until it is evaporated, about 3 Minutes.

Then, using a Big ladle, transfer warm Stock into Rice 1/2 Cup at a time. Once it has been absorbed, add another 1/2 cup. Repeat until all Stock is absorbed. Yes, this takes awhile… Then add your Sautéed Mushroom mix, Salt & Pepper to your liking and stir thoroughly.

Then serve on a Large plate or low rimmed bowl…

Garnish with Freshly Grated Parmesan Romano Cheese and Thinly Sliced Basil

Simple Salad

• Package of Butter Lettuce
• 1/4 Cup Thinly Sliced Red Onion
• 1 Avocado Sliced
• Croutons (If you didn’t give them up for Lent… )

Mustard Dressing

• 4 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 TBSP Water
• 4 TSBP Dijon Mustard
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1 tsp Ground Pepper
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano

Put everything into a Ramekin I love these ones from World Market and then whisk.

Using your tongs, mix together… And…

Simple French Green Beans

I found these French Cut Green Beans at my local Safeway for $2.49 the price is what determines my side dishes

• 8 Oz of French Green Beans
• 1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
• Pinch Kosher Salt/Ground Pepper

Whisk together and pour over steamed Green Beans

Whisk together and pour over steamed Green Beans

Wine

For my birthday, last December we did the Sonoma Wine Trolley. We visited Buena Vista in Sonoma Valley, which is the first Premium winery ever in California. This 2009 Chardonnay from their Carneros Vineyards was only the second White Wine I’ve ever heard him say he liked. We had to get some. I’m going to go out and say it is THE BEST Chardonnay I’ve ever had. Hands down, and I’m not even sure what comes second after it. It’s not sweet, but you taste all the fruit elements. If ever in Sonoma, I highly suggest the Wine Trolley, it was a lot of fun, we didn’t have to worry about driving You MUST go to Buena Vista the caves are open for tours, the buildings make you feel like you’re in Europe in 1900. It’s wine country perfection.

There you have it. Whether it be your Valentine’s Day dinner or a Meatless Friday Night Lent Dinner. You will be full, satisfied and not broke

What is your favorite Meatless Dinner? Let me know!

Magia!

-Mrs. Training