Labor Day Flavor Day

Naturally, cooking has been kept to a minimum at our new home since our recent move. We've been mostly eating peanut butter and jelly and cereal. But alas, that has gotten old, so upon returning home from New Jersey, I decided to crack open the kitchen boxes and get our eating in order.

What better day to try out some new flavors than Labor Day. Enjoy your day off, if you indeed get one, and if you want to venture into the kitchen, why not try this delicious meal:

Stromboli

I made this just the other day, but I cannot take credit for the recipe. It comes from my friend Nicole. It's simple and easy and our whole family loved it!

You'll need:

1 loaf of frozen white bread dough

1 package small pepperoni slices

1 package (2 cups) shredded cheese

oregano, marjoram, garlic, basil, etc.

1 can spaghetti sauce

To make:

Thaw the bread loaf in the fridge for 24 hours. Take bread out and let rest on countertop for 1/2 hour or so. Spray countertop with cooking spray. Pull bread apart (try not to get holes in it) into a 9 X 13 rectangle (or so).

Sprinkle with spices everywhere. Layer cheese and pepperoni into rows. Roll bread up, place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Slice and serve with warmed up spaghetti sauce.



Yum! It was so good.

You might also remember that in this post, I asked you to share your recipe ideas with me. What a bountiful harvest flowed in. Here are a few that jumped out to me. I just may be making these soon as well! Enjoy.

Courgette Crumble, by Mrs. Redboots

You'll need (per person):

1/4 cup rice

1 egg

1 T grated cheese

1 slice wholemeal bread made into breadcrumbs

1/2 small zucchini, sliced very thinly

salt and pepper

To make:

Cook the rice. Stir in the egg, the zucchini slices and half the cheese. Season to taste. Transfer to oven-proof dish, top with breadcrumbs mixed with the rest of the cheese. Cook in moderate oven for about 30 minutes.

Serve with tomato salsa.


Watermelon Salsa, by Kara87

You'll need:

2 cups watermelon, diced

2 scallions, diced

1 yellow pepper, diced

1/3 cup lime juice

cilantro to taste

hot sauce to taste


Capellini Caprese, by sweetandpetite92

You'll need:

1/2 lb. capellini or spaghetti, uncooked

1/2 cup Italian Dressing and Marinade

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes

1 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1/3 cup fresh basil, finely sliced

To make:

Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta. Add to tomato mixture. Mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.


Baked Apples, by Cali M. Eddy

You'll need:

1 apple

jam

granola

To make:

Peel the top third of the apple, core down leaving 1/4" at the bottom and cook in a dish with 1/2 " water on high for 12 minutes in the microwave. Fill with jam and granola (or similar) cereal. Rewarm if you wish.


Honey Granola Crunch, by Jennifer Spears

You'll need:

4 cups old fashioned oats

2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

1 cup golden raisins

Cook and bring to a boil for just one minute the following:

3/4 cup honey

1/2 cup butter

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

To make:

Mix everything together. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring and flattening every 5 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

And now that my mouth is watering, excuse me as I make a trip to our kitchen.

Happy Labor Day!