PHE Main Courses

Dinner can be challenging to get on the table these days. The hustle and bustle of daily life offers little time to prepare meals, but dinner will always be the most important meal of the day for families.

Here's some quick and easy, no fuss, never fail options for week night dinners and weekend fun.

Never Fail Penne ala Vodka

Donna Cascone

Penne ala Vodka
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ lb prosciutto, diced
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup vodka
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • fresh basil

Put water on to boil for penne first.

When pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta well.

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  1. In large pan, melt the butter.
  2. Add garlic and cook 1 -2 minutes, until very light brown.
  3. Add the prosciutto, cook 1 -2 minutes.
  4. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook on low for at least 5 minutes.
  5. Add the heavy cream, cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
  6. Add the vodka, stir well and cook for 1 minute.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the tomato sauce, mix well.
  8. Add the parmesan cheese and toss to coat evenly.

If the pasta is dry add pasta water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.

Plate and garnish with additional cheese and fresh basil.

Kats Killer Quesadilla

Kathleen Holmes

Quesadilla Recipe
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 6 flour tortillas
  • 1/2-3/4 lb cooked chicken breast or steak strips
  • a package of shredded cheese ( mexican blend is good)
  • cilantro
  • sauteed onion
  • 1 avocado
  • sea salt
  • 1 garlic clove

Spread 1/2 tbsp of butter on each tortilla.

Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium. Turn down to low and cook one quesadilla at a time.

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  1. Add first flour tortilla
  2. Sprinkle shredded cheese on tortilla
  3. Add your sliced chicken, steak or ground beef
  4. Add a layer of sauteed onion
  5. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on next
  6. Sprinkle some more shredded cheese
  7. Place the other tortilla on top

Use a spatula to gently press down on the tortilla and flatten it as much as possible

Cook until golden brown, flip over and cook the other side.

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Kathleen Holmes

Chicken Parmesan
  • 3 boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tbsp quality olive oil
  • 1-2 cups  Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • Fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 package spaghetti
  • fresh basil for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

With a meat mallet pound the chicken breast until it is 1/3” thick.  Cut into 6 even pieces.

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  1. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Mix breadcrumbs and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
  3. Dredge each piece of chicken in egg first and then in breadcrumbs.  Set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick over medium heat.  Cook chicken pieces until lightly golden brown approx. 5 min. each side.
  5. Place in a greased, rectangular baking dish.

Spoon some marinara sauce over each piece and bake 10 minutes. Add mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until chicken is done

While chicken is in the oven cook spaghetti according to package directions and warm extra marinara sauce in a small sauce pan.

Top cooked spaghetti with sauce, chicken, shredded parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Enjoy!

 

Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Pears & Sweet Potatoes

Debra Jadwin

Pork tenderloin
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes , peeled and cut lengthwise onto wedges
  • 2 firm red Bartlett Pears, cut into wedges
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 springs of fresh thyme
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • Pork tenderloin (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs)
  • 1/4 lbsthinly sliced prosciutto
  • 1 tbsp honey

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the sweet potatoes, pears, oil, thyme, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper.

Roast for 15 minutes.

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2. Meanwhile, wrap the pork in the prosciutto, slightly overlapping the slices to cover the pork completely.

3. Push the vegetables to the edges of the baking sheet, place the pork in the center, and drizzle with the honey.

4. Roast until the pork is cooked through at the sweet potatoes and pears are tender, about 20  25 minutes.

Let the pork rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with sweet potatoes and pears.Enjoy!