Alfredo Sauce

My mom gave this recipe to me given to her by my Aunt Maryann. I doubled it for my family and we really liked it! It was a little thick by the time it made it to the noodles so next time I will thin it down a little with more milk. I used it to make the Chicken Florentine Alfredo.

8 oz. cream cheese, cut into small cubes
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. milk
1 clove garlic, pressed (optional)
black pepper to taste

Heat in sauce pan over medium heat until all ingredients are mixed throughly.

Angel Hair Pasta

My mom makes this as a side to brisket, but goes great with chicken too!

2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 c. canned tomatoes with juice
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. basil
12 oz package angel hair pasta

Cook 12 oz angel hair pasta in salted water according to directions on package. In sauce pan, combine olive oil, garlic powder, tomatoes, pepper and basil. Simmer to allow flavors to mix. Add tomatoe mixture to angel hair and. Toss to coat all pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Parmesan

I got this recipe off of The Sisters' Cafe and it is so AMAZING! I made it exactly as the recipe said, the only thing I will do different next time is half the sugar it calls for. It was just a bit too sweet.The recipe makes quite a bit of sauce, I may half the recipe next time too. I served the chicken with Fettuccine Alfredo, steamed asparagus and hot garlic bread. My family LOVED it!

Sauce:

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (approx 1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 cans Italian diced tomatoes

1 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are tender and transparent. Add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Chicken:

1-2 pounds chicken breasts (I used 5 breasts, cut in half lengthwise)

2 eggs

Italian Breadcrumbs

1/4-1/2 c. olive oil

8 oz. very thinly sliced Mozzarella

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

Dip the chicken in egg and then in bread crumbs. Heat oil and cook chicken 2-3 minutes on each side. Put chicken on the bottom of a large baking dish (9x13). Put one thin slice of Mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan on each breast and half of sauce on top. Repeat. Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with grated parmesan cheese.

Lowfat version: Skip breading and frying of the chicken. Place the chicken raw in the dish and do one layer of the cheeses. I don't even measure, I just sprinkle on grated mozzarella and parmesan then top with sauce. Bake a little longer - more like 40 minutes. It is fabulous!

Spaghetti Sauce

1 lb. lean ground beef, browned, seasoned with salt and pepper, drained

or
1 lb. italian sausage, browned and drained

2 15-oz cans tomato sauce
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, drain the juice
2 tbsp. dried onion or 1 med. onion chopped fine
1 tsp. garlic salt or 2 cloves garlic, pressed and 1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. sage

1 tbsp. dried parsley for color
1 bay leaf
1/4 c. butter

Brown hamburger or italian sausage and drain. In large sauce pan, saute chopped onion and garlic in 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. When onion and garlic are transparent add tomato sauce, tomatoes and all spices. Add hamburger/sauage and butter. Let simmer on med-low stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes to allow flavors to mix. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve over hot spaghetti noodles with parmesan cheese, garlic bread and green salad or steamed vegetables.

Enchilada Sauce

1/4 c. flour
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. dried onion
2 c. canned or bottled tomatoes, blended

Blend everything except blended tomatoes together in shallow frying pan. Add about 1 c. cold water and mix well, working out any lumps. Add 2 c. blended tomatoes.

Heat on high until sauce starts to bubble, keep mixing/stirring especially the bottom of the pan or you will get lumps. Color will start to change as flour is cooked through, keep stirring until sauce is deep red and glossy. Remove from heat and use to make enchiladas.