4/4/2012 Dinner Tonight

I like to start my day by getting up and getting ready for work. Once I have left the house and have some quiet time to think of something other than packing lunches and looking for socks I like to plan my dinner menu.

I think I am going to make pasta tonight. I have decided that I am going to put together a baked penne dish with some  This is one of my favorite "go to" staples for dinner because I am a vegetarian and my family members are not so this is how I compromise. I usually start my "meat" sauce by heating some extra virgin olive oil in a 10" high side skillet on medium high heat. While this is getting warm I dice a small to medium yellow onion and about three gloves of fresh garlic, a small zucchini and a small yellow or summer squash. A rough dice is fine because I just work in my kitchen, not the Hilton or anything. I sometimes add diced carrots and bell peppers what ever I have on hand works fine. I add these ingredients to the pan with a pinch or two of salt and some black pepper. I let this cook down until the onions are tender and start to turn translucent (almost see through) I then add two large cans of crushed tomatoes and some dried Basil; oregano; and thyme, from my garden last summer, I add a little more salt if needed after I give it a little taste and put a lid half way on the pan as not to steam the sauce, turn down the heat to low and let it simmer while I boil the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water. I start to shred some mozzarella cheese. Once the noodle have been boiled just aldente and drained I then add the sauce to them and put them in a baking dish and add the cheese on top. I put the dish in a pre-heated 375 degree Fahrenheit oven and let bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. While this is baking I fold laundry or clean the bathroom. You know mom has to keep on top of everything.

If you want exact measurement of any of these ingredients or more recipe details please feel free to email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and have a great day.