Tag Archives: asparagus

Rotini with Ham

March 8, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Ham, alfredo sauce, pasta. They just go together so well. Add in some cheese and sun dried tomatos and you have a smash hit that the whole family will love.

6 servings
289 calories per serving

8 oz. rotini FiberGourmet pasta
16 oz. jar low fat Alfredo Sauce
19 oz. can asparagus spears cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 c sun dried tomatoes (not in oil), rehydrated in warm water
1 c diced cooked ham
1 c shredded low fat cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Swiss)
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking dish with Pam. Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat alfredo sauce then stir in pasta, asparagus,. sun dried tomatoes and ham. Stir in half the cheese and turn all into the baking dish. Cover and bake 40 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake another 5 minutes.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce

September 13, 2011 admin Leave a comment

A quick cheese sauce is all sweet Spring asparagus needs – this one is delicious !

4 servings
110 calories per serving

1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/3 c water
1/4 c Miracle Whip or light mayonnaise
1/4 c skim milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam or par boil asparagus for 4-5 minutes. Mix the other ingredients and microwave until melted. Serve sauce over asparagus.

Drinks, Sides

Spring Rice and Veggie Salad

August 20, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is very different from your typical mac salad ! Instead of pasta, this recipe uses rice and adds some nice fresh Spring veggies. What a great dish to serve at your next barbecue !

8 servings
150 calories per serving

4 c cooked minute rice (white or brown) – after cooking , cool to room temperature
1 c halved grape tomatoes
1 c fresh asparagus spears (cut into 1 inch pieces), boiled 3 minutes then rinsed in cold water
3/4 cup light mayo
1 T Dijon mustard
1 T chopped parsley
Juice of one lemon
Grated zest of one lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients well and serve. (you could also chill this and then serve – but I like it best room temperature)

Dinner, Italian, Pasta

Tortellini with Tomatoes

May 9, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is a great dinner – you can serve this warm, at room temperature or even cold. The cheesy tortellini are the perfect base for a savory dressing and tons of flavorful tomatoes and rich artichokes and asparagus. The arugula and fresh basil top it off perfectly.

6 servings
400 calories per serving

2 9 oz packs fresh cheese tortellini
1 lb asparagus, sliced into 1 ½ inch long slices
3 T red vinegar
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 T olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 t pepper
4 c baby arugula
1 1/2 c cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 c grated parmesan
1/3 c thinly sliced fresh basil
14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and cut in fours

Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Add asparagus into the pasta water during the last 2 minutes of cooking time then drain all. Mix vinegars, oil, salt and pepper and mix with pasta, arugula, tomatoes, cheese, basil and artichokes.