Shrimp Farfalle with Basil-Walnut Pesto

I expected this to come out better, but since Hurricane Sandy is coming through soon, the store was completely out of fresh shrimp so I had to use frozen. Ahh well, my guinea pigs (aka friends who I force to eat my experimental recipes) all loved it.

I usually use pine nuts for my pesto, but walnuts are much cheaper, and taste great too. I think next time I will toast the walnuts first.

Ingredients:

2 oz. fresh basil leaves, plucked from stems

1/2 c. oil

3/4 c. walnuts, chopped finely

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 c. grated parmesan

1/2 tsp salt

4 tbsp butter

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 head broccoli

1/2 large onion, chopped

1 lb. shrimp, shelled and deveined

16 oz. farfalle pasta, cooked and drained

Vodka Bolognese Lasagna

Sometimes I like to make the sauce from scratch but sometimes I just don't have time. If you use a quality jarred sauce and diced or crushed tomatoes, it will still be delicious. So here is my easy version of lasagna.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground beef

1 oz. fresh basil, chopped

14.5 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes (I used Muir Glen)

1/2 tsp dried oregano

24 oz. bottle of vodka pasta sauce (I used Via Roma)

1 lb mozzarella, shredded

2 lb ricotta

8 oz oven ready lasagna

non-stick spray (PAM or other brand)

Maple Pecan Cookies

These cookies are SERIOUSLY ADDICTING and super easy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. pecans, chopped

2 c. butter, softened at room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp maple flavor (found in baking aisle with vanilla extract)

2 eggs

4 c. flour

1 tbsp white sugar

Icing:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp maple flavor