Artichoke Heart Pasta

My husband made a heavenly Artichoke Hearts Pasta tonight. The smell and rainbow of colors made our mouths water in anticipation. Tasting it was definitely not a let down. This is a great meal idea for anyone who has left-over pasta noodles and is tired of the traditional marinara sauce and pasta.

Made with a base of Artichoke Heart Marinade Oil and Olive Oil, this pasta is smooth and has a subtle yet fresh taste to it. Pasta lovers won't be disappointed with this recipe!

The following are the ingredients for this pasta dish. I will not give exact measurements for everything because this is the type of recipe that you make "to taste."

Artichoke Heart Pasta

Artichoke Hearts (diced, at least 6 ounces, include the sauce in the recipe)
Yellow Bell Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Olive Oil (at least 3 Tablespoons)
Garlic (pressed)
Red Onions
Garlic Salt
Rosemary
Lemon Pepper
Lemon Juice
Salt
Crushed Red Peppers

Saute' the above ingredients together

Combine the below ingredients with the sauteed ingredients and cook until warmed.
Olives (sliced)
Diced Tomatoes
Pasta

Meat Options:
Chicken
Bacon

Southwestern Cream Sauce

I created the wonderful spicy and zest filled sauce to top our taco salad. It was quick and Delicious!!

Southwestern Cream Sauce

6 ounce can Evaporated Milk
1/2 cup Newman's Own Southwestern Dressing
1/2 cup chunky salsa

Mix together until smooth (or not)
Heat to just under boiling (or not)
Serve over taco salad or any southwestern style meal that you desire.

Why "Newman's Own"

Newman's Own is a name brand of All Natural dressings that isn't filled with all of the dangerous additives that other brands feel that they need to add to their dressings. Love this brand!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Fiber Bars

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars taste WAY too good to be good for you! We made these delicious treats to welcome in the Fall season. They surely did the trick!! They taste just as sweet and deliciously spicy as they smell.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Fiber Bars

1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup olive oil
4 eggs (try to find the eggs with Omega 3's)
16-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup bran flour (OR powdered Original flavored Fiber One cereal OR Soy flour)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2-1 cup dark chocolate chips (try to use the darkest chocolate you can find)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray a 10 x 15 x 1 inch pan with cooking spray.
Mix sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin until smooth.
Combine flours and spice in separate bowl
Combine mixtures
Mix until smooth
Stir in chocolate chips
Spread batter onto pan
Bake for 25-30 minutes
Serves approximately 15 bars

This recipe is full of protein, fiber, and Omega 3 fatty acids. It does have sugar in it. However, when you add fiber to recipes with sugar it counteracts the ill effects of sugar somewhat.

Can Chocolate Be Good For The Body?

According the renowned medical doctor and pioneer of nutritional medicine, Doctor Andrew Weil, good dark chocolate (with at least 70 percent cocoa) really is a healthy treat you could consider... Chocolate is a source of polyphenols, the same kinds of antioxidants found in red wine and green tea. The fat it contains is mostly stearic acid, which doesn't raise cholesterol levels. And the flavonoids in dark chocolate are good for the heart - they reduce the stickiness of platelets, inhibiting blood clotting and reducing the danger of coronary artery blockages..."