Pasta pizza

I love this recipe because I can have it on the table in 12 minutes.  If it didn't take the pasta water so long to boil it would be even faster. 

Serves two hungry adults.

1/2 box spaghetti

1/2 package pepperoni slices or cubes (personal preference)*
1/2 c ham* or mushrooms
1 jar pizza sauce
* Processed meats can be full of soy and even dairy products.  Be sure to read the label before you buy a particular brand.

Boil the water, start the spaghetti.  Cook it al dente (undercooked by American expectations), a minute or two less than is listed on the box. 

Meanwhile cook the pepperoni in a dry pan.  If using ham start it at the same time in the same pan.  If using mushrooms add the pepperoni after a few minutes.  Your goal is to get the effect of oven heat on pizza toppings in the pan so if you like crisped pepperoni you'll cook longer / hotter than someone who just wants their pepperonis hot enough to release some oil.  Add the sauce a minute before your pasta is done.  Stir to heat through and toss with the pasta.

If you're feeling generous to your non-dairy allergic dining partner top his portion with good cheese. 

Spinach omlette

My omelets never look good.  Use your own technique to get it into omelet shape.  What I have to add to the plan is a suggestion for fluffing your eggs.  Put them in the blender.  Whir them around with a bit of rice milk or a splash of oil, both add a bit of fat just like milk to make your eggs a little richer.

If you're me you then saute the spinach to get it defrosted, pour the egg over it in the frying pan and flip it when it smells overcooked.  I'm not proud of this technique but I'm not an egg lover.

Grilled sausages and kraut

Sausage can be tricky because of the fillers.  We have a local butcher and get the perk of supporting an independent business while eating well.  Oscar Meyer hot dogs will do if necessary. 

For kraut I like the Bavarian style by Del Monte.  It's sweet rather than sharp and my toddler will eat it.

I usually serve this with bread and corn or a salad.

Pasta Puttanesca

Oh how I love this stinky dish!  There's a whole lot of flavor here.

Ingredients
1 box thin pasta
1 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 c parsley, chopped
1/4 c olives, chopped - This is the major flavor for the dish.  Pick an olive you like.  Greek and Spanish work well.
2 T capers
1 t anchovy paste or 1 tin anchovies pulverized with a mortar and pestle or mini food processor
1 T fresh or 1 t dried oregano
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, no salt if available
1 box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted

Directions
Seriously, chopped everything before you start.  Once you start cooking it goes fast. 
Cook the pasta
Heat the olive oil.
Saute garlic 1 minute
Add parsley, olives, capers, anchovy, oregano, cayenne pepper and saute 2 minutes
Add tomatoes and saute 5 minutes
Add spinach and heat through

Toss with pasta.

Chili

Ingredients
1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, chorizo, whatever)
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves chopped garlic
1 15 oz can tomatoes w/ chilis
2 15 oz cans beans (any type you like)
2 T chili powder
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t BBQ or Cajun seasoning

Directions
Brown ground beef.  Add onions and garlic and brown those too.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 20 minutes or until just warm or as long as you need until you're ready to eat.

Pasta and red sauce

It's not glamorous but it's fast, both kids will eat it, and I can have it on the table in 12 minutes if I use the right pasta.  We usually have rotini because it cooks fast and both kids can handle it.  Angel hair cooks a bit faster but the little ones have a tough time handling the noodles.

Ten minute fish

Ingredients:
Frozen fish
Frozen veg
Instant potatoes.

Directions:
Read the label on the sack of fish.  There will be directions for how to bake, fry, etc it.  Wherever it says butter use olive oil.  If you use breadcrumbs make your own or check for soy.  Repeat on the vegetables.

Be sure to read the label on your instant potatoes to be sure they're non-dairy non-soy in the box.  When making them use rice milk and olive oil instead of whole milk and butter.