Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

Lemon Pepper  Acini di Pepe This small, round pasta is named for its resemblance to peppercorns, so why not pair it with black pepper, which, along with lemon, adds brightness to the parmesan?  The pasta is VERY starchy! I ended up rinsing it and it turned out fine. I believe replacing the recipe with couscous or other smallish pastas will work the same. ingredients 2 cups  acini di pepe 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1/2 cup shredded old cheddar (optional) 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper preparation Cook  acini in a large pot of boiling salted water (2 teaspoons salt for 8cups water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and rinse. Melt butter in same pot with lemon, pepper and cheese.  Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Add pasta and stir. "Bon Appetit!"

So, I was emptying my baking cupboard (as I do every November) and found some muffin mixes.  Today's easy dessert is made from a banana muffin mix. I am calling it the ELVIS special. 1 - 220g banana muffin mix 1 egg 1/2 cup cold water 1/4 cup powdered milk 1/3 cup of peanut butter (all I had left in the conatiner) Mix well and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Remove immediately to cool. (I use glass loaf pans so mine keep cooking if I do not) 1/3 container of vanilla icing (its what I had left or make some) I used a 1/4 cup "sweet caramel sprinkle" from Pampered Chef I had http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16633&catId=12 (nuts, toffee chips and cinnamon) Mix well.  Put cake back into the baking pan when cool. Ice right in the baking dish. This was an amazing surprise mix of tastes. Definite do over. Could definitely used an over ripe banana but I didn't have any! "BON APPET...

I love clean out the fridge day. ESPECIALLY after holiday dinners. You always find leftovers like cranberries or apple sauce tucked in tupperware on the shelf. Try this easy use it up dessert. 1 small cake mix (bagged like at dollar store) leftover applesauce (to replace the water) 1/3 cup oil (or as directed) 2 eggs Mix well.  Pour into greased pan.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake at 350 till done.  Dessert tonight! Ice the top or serve with cool whip or ice cream. "BON APPETIT!"