Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

Tonight is the second night of recipes from my new cookbook. Here is what I am making tonight:
1 (16oz) package ziti (I used mostaccioli)
2 (10oz) containers light refrigerated Alfredo sauce (I used 1 15oz jar)
1 (8oz) container reduced-fat sour cream
1 (15oz)container part-skim ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (I used about a tablespoon of Italian seasoning)
1 1/2 cups (6oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook ziti according to package directions; drain well.

2. Stir together Alfredo sauce and sour cream in a large bowl; add ziti, stirring until blended. Spoon half of the mixture into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.

3. Stir together ricotta cheese and next 3 ingredients; spread evenly over pasta mixture in dish. Spoon remaining pasta mixture evenly over ricotta cheese layer; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

I used a round dish and did a layer of noodles, ricotta, another layer of noodles, ricotta, noodles, and then mozzarella to finish. I'm pairing this with a nice side salad with balsamic vinegar dressing. Q

I got a new cookbook

Last week the Supremes and I took a trip to Ross. I was looking to get some stuff for the house but ran across the book section. I love cooking as you all know and I really love quick, easy and healthy cooking. Well I stumbled across this book "Busy Moms Weeknight Favorites" by Southern Living. I glanced through quickly and it had lots of pics, which I love, and a bunch of easy recipes. For only $5.99, I couldn't pass it up. So this week, I will be trying a new recipe for every meal I make.

My plan was to start yesterday but we went to a birthday party and ended up eating there so there was no need for me to make dinner. Here is tonight's recipe:
Caramelized Onion Chicken

Prep:7 min Cook: 16 min
1 lb of chicken breast tenders
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (or red currant, apple, or seedless blackberry)
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce (I will be using reduced sodium)
1 tsp bottled minced ginger (I will be using 1/4 tsp of ginger powder)
1/2 tsp dried rosemary (I will be using Italian seasoning)

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Saute' onion in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Add chicken to pan; cook 8 minutes or until chicken is done, turning occasionally. Remove onion and chicken from pan, and set aside.

2. Add jam and remaining ingredients to skillet; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk to loosen browned bits from skillet. Return chicken mixture to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I plan on finishing the chicken with roasted asparagus and brown rice. I will update with pics once I'm finished. Q

More braid out pics

So I decided to post some more pics of my b-day braid out. The first pic is of the braids I started with. I washed, conditioned, and blowdried my hair. I applied some avocado butter to seal and braided. Then I took them out. I wore it pulled back in a head band and I took some pics of the side as well. Q

Best birthday ever?

Okay so I've had a few great ones but this one is right up top. Last year was hard for me, real hard. I was dealing with turning 30, not reaching my goals, and not being able to share it with someone real dear to me. Although I was wrong, and she did contact me via email, it still hurt. An email is so impersonal for someone so close. So many people thought this was about them but sorry, it wasn't. Not trying to be passive aggressive or whatever but I just want to put any rumors or ASSumptions to rest about my post last year. Okay? Good. My friend doesn't even read my blog, lol. This wasn't just some everyday run of the mill person. She is so close to me, the word friend doesn't fit. She was there holding my hand as I pushed my daughter out. She was there going to bat for me when folks were spreading awful rumors. She was there for all of my previous pretty parties. But last year, she couldn't be there for me and it hurt.

But I was selfish. She needed me way more than I needed her. But this year was different and I knew it would be. I had been praying for her, not knowing when, but I knew she would be back. As much as I tried to deny it, my love for her was stronger than ever. The time, and distance only made it stronger. So I spent my birthday celebrating with my friend Jen and her new husband Shawn. They took the step into married bliss and I had a great time. I admit, I was feeling a little funny about not being with my family but they made up for it. It's nice to have friends that you can hang with like family!!! I also got to meet some of the girls I've spoken to or interacted with via forums and they were great as well. There is too much to tell but I have a new phrase, "I got what I came here for."

So imagine my surprise when I got home, I had a message from my friend, my girl, my sister. At first I was shocked and a little perplexed. Do I call? Do I wait? What do I say? Finally I just said forget it and picked up the phone. I got the voicemail but she called back. We talked, and we talked, and we talked. And she talked to Thomas, and they talked, and they talked. I got a lot of nice gifts this year, but hearing her voice and reconnecting with someone I love so much, is PRICELESS!!! My heart was smiling after we hung up. What we have, is something most people only dream of. It's not perfect but I thank God we are able to weather so many storms. Everything we've gone through has made our friendship stronger than we've ever imagined. I really think this was the best birthday ever!! Q

My b-day hair

I went to Baltimore this weekend for a wedding. I decided to rock another blowdried braid out since this will probably be the last one in a long while. I used Jasmine's shealoe butter on my hair and it gave me incredible shine. Here are some pics. Q

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yes I am turning 30 again. *blink* Right now I am in VA for my friend's wedding that will be taking place today. This is my first b-day away from my family and I miss them. But I am looking forward to supporting my friend in her new journey towards wedded bliss. So I'll be celebrating her day, and cutting a rug for myself as well. Q