Greek-Style Ravioli

• 12 frozen cheese ravioli
• 1/3 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 C canned diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic
• 1 C fresh baby spinach
• 1/4 C sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1/4 C crumbled feta cheese

1. Cook ravioli according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
3. Drain ravioli. Add the ravioli, spinach, and olives to the meat mixture; heat through. Sprinkle with feta cheese.


Robyn's notes: when a recipe calls for frozen cheese ravioli, I often substitute tortellini, or tortelloni. Whatever type of filled pasta I use, I also often get a mix of spinach and cheese filled. This recipe is quite easy.

Nutritional Information: Calories 352; Fat 15g; Saturated Fat 6g; Cholesterol 75mg; Sodium 1,091mg; Carbohydrate 29g; Fiber 3g; Protein 27g

Potato and Cheddar Soup

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 1 (8.5oz) pkg vegetable broth + same amount water
• 1 large potato
• 1 C shredded cheddar cheese
• dash black pepper

1. Melt the butter in a medium-size pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. Add the flour and stir constantly until it is fully absorbed. Add the broth and water and turn up the heat to high.
2. While the soup is coming to a boil, peel the potato and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Add to the pot. It will take the soup a few minutes to return to a boil. When it does, turn down the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft enough to be mashed.
3. Turn the heat off, and mash some of the potatoes into the broth. The rest can remain in cubes to vary the soup's texture.
4. With the heat still off, add the cheddar cheese and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Season with black pepper and serve.


Robyn's notes: made this a second and third time without the onion, worked out very well. Not terribly exciting, but a good potato soup option for me, since I'm not allowed celery or onion. The third time I made it I sprinkled crumbled bacon on top, which makes it (obviously) not vegetarian but which added a nice flavour.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Apricot Chicken & Couscous

• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut in thirds across on an angle
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 C chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 6 dried pitted apricots, chopped
• 1 C reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 C apricot all fruit spread or apricot preserves
• 1 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish (optional)

1. Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium high heat. Add oil and chicken, season with salt and pepper. Lightly brown the chicken a few minutes on each side, add onions. Cook 5 minutes.
2. Add vinegar to the pan and let it evaporate. Add apricots and broth. When broth comes to a bubble, add preserves and stir to combine.
3. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve chicken with:

Apricot Couscous

• 1 C water or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3-4 dried apricots, diced
• 1 C uncooked couscous

In saucepan, bring water or broth and apricots to a boil. Add couscous and stir quickly. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand for 4-5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Robyn's notes: good, he requested more sauce

Caribbean Jerk Tofu

• 1/4 C vinegar (any kind)
• 3 Tbsp orange juice
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 14oz package firm tofu

1. Combine vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, allspice, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, sage, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir well.
2. Add onion and garlic to the bowl.
3. Drain tofu, slice into pieces 1" x 1" x 1/2" and gently put it into bowl. Stir carefully so that the tofu pieces are covered with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
4. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until it begins to brown.
5. While the tofu is broiling, boil the leftover marinade in a small pot for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the heated marinade as a dipping sauce or as a sauce for rice.

Yield: 2-3 servings

Robyn's notes: NOT GOOD with tofu! I made this for my mom about 7 years ago with chicken, and it was good but really very spicy.  We didn't use the extra marinade that was on the side, but still were absolutely dying from the spice level.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Basil Ravioli w/ Red and White Sauce

• 1 pkg uncooked cheese-filled ravioli
• 1/4 C shredded fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil leaves
• 1 (14oz) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 C purchased Alfredo sauce

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 1 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook ravioli to desired doneness as directed on package.
3. Drain ravioli; place in spray-coated dish. Sprinkle with cheese and basil. Pour spaghetti sauce over ravioli; spread evenly. Place Alfredo sauce in squeeze bottle or small resealable plastic bag (cut one corner off). Squeeze sauce in thin diagonal strips across ravioli. Draw knife through strips to create design.
4. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Yield: 3 servings

Nutritional Information: Calories 390; Calories from Fat 240; Total Fat 27g; Saturated Fat14g; Cholesterol 115mg; Sodium 1280mg; Total Carbohydrate 63g; Dietary Fiber 7g; Sugars 9g; Protein 23g