Creamy Bacon Pasta Bake

Here's another recipe born of my couponing hobby - almost all the ingredients in this recipe came to me as a result of my savings addiction.  I hope those of you who are here locally have been taking advantage of some of these sales!

Creamy Bacon Pasta Bake

12 oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 12-oz. box rotini pasta
1 pkg Philadelphia Cooking Creme, Savory Garlic flavor
1 pkg. Knorr Recipe Classics, French Onion
1 cup milk
1 1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella
2-3 T. bread crumbs
small pinch cayenne

(I cooked the bacon the night before making this - I prefer to make it in the oven because I can get it cooked evenly and with the least amount of grease.  Bake at 325 in the oven on a broiler rack to let the grease drain off.)

Once your bacon is cooked by whatever method you prefer, cook your pasta according to package directions.  While the pasta cooks, stir together cooking creme, milk, recipe mix, cayenne and bacon.  Drain pasta and add back into pasta pot, then add the peas to start the defrosting.  Add the sauce next.  Pour into a 2-qt. casserole dish and top with cheese and bread crumbs.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Enjoy!

Quinoa with Pine Nuts and Raisins

I wanted to try a more basic recipe with quinoa, since I've been told I need to get more protein in my diet.  I've tried this really great recipe for quinoa 'mac' 'n cheese, but I wanted to experiment a little bit.  For those who have never tried quinoa, it's a seed that can be used much like rice.  It cooks in liquid the way rice does and although more round and nutty, it can be used in similar applications.  This was a pretty simple recipe, I hope you all give it a try!

Quinoa with Pine Nuts and Raisins

1 cup dry quinoa
1 3/4 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
1/2 large white onion, chopped
2 T. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup pine nuts

Toast quinoa over medium heat in saucepan for 3 minutes.  Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer, covered, 12-15 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed (this will work very much the way rice does).  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, covered.  While quinoa is cooking, toast pine nuts over medium heat in skillet for a few minutes - watch these carefully!  They burn easily!  Pour into a bowl and set aside.  In same skillet, add olive oil and onions.  Cook onions for 5 minutes, then add garlic and finish cooking until onions are translucent.  Once quinoa is finished cooking, add onions, pine nuts and raisins and stir to combine.  Fluff with fork and serve immediately.

Hope you enjoy this rice alternative!