Breakfast Burritos

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
6 eggs
1/2 lb Italian turkey sausage (or any type of sausage--we used spicy sausage)
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice

shredded cheddar cheese
salsa
whole wheat tortillas

In a large skillet, saute' onion and green pepper in olive oil. In a mixing bowl, scramble the eggs. Add eggs to skillet and cook over medium heat until set. Remove eggs and set aside. Add turkey sausage to skillet. Cook until no pink remains. Add eggs back to skillet. Add cooked rice. Mix well. Place about 1/2 cup of mixture in the center of tortillas. Top with 1-2 Tbsp. of shredded cheese and salsa, if desired.

*Don't forget-- if your eggs are brown they are over cooked. Eggs are sensitive and will keep cooking if you leave them in the pan even if the heat is off!

Spaghetti Marinara Sauce

1-2 Tbs. oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. ground rosemary
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Directions: Fill a large pot half full of water, add 1 tsp salt and bing to a boil. Add 1/4 lb of pasta to the water and boil for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente'. Meanwhile, heat a large fry pan to medium-high and add 2-3 tsp. of the oil to the bottom of the pan (enough to coat). Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Let saute' until the onion starts to turn white. Next, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and spices; stir until well blended. Cover and simmer the marinara sauce for at least 10 minutes (to let the flavors absorb) or until ready to serve. When the pasta is al dente', drain and toss with a splash of oil. Serve the pasta with the marinara sauce and garnish with parmesan or mozzarella cheese.

*If you would like to add meat to this dish you brown some ground beef or make meatballs.*

Mashed Potatoes

5 medium-sized Russet Potatoes

1 1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 cup Milk

2 Tbs. Butter

Salt, Pepper, and Parsley flakes to garnish

Directions: Fill a large pot half full of water. Add the salt and bring the water to a rolling boil on high-heat. While waiting for the water to BOIL, WASH and PEEL the potatoes. Using a cutting mat and sharp knife, CHOP the potatoes into even pieces about the size of dice. Carefully DROP the potatoes into the boiling water and turn the heat down to medium-high to prevent the water from boiling over. Allow the potatoes to BOIL for approzimately 15 minutes, or until they are very soft (use a fork to test). Next, DRAIN the potatoes in a colander placed in the sink. Transfer the potatoes back to the pot. With the heat turned off, BLEND the potatoes with the hand-held mixer on the lowest setting. Slowly add the milk and butter and MIX the potatoes until smooth (don’t over mix or they will become sticky). Season with the salt and pepper and serve with gravy. Garnish with dried parsley.

Yield: 4-6 servings.

You can make your own gravy or use an instant gravy packet. Use the directions on the packet to prepare the gravy. In our class we used Country Gravy but any gravy would work just fine.