My new favorite thing: SDT!

California Sun Dried Tomatoes
My super food!
I can think of a million ways to use these suckers in every mean, except sweet dessert, and for the price, I should be using them.
These tomatoes are grown, harvested and dried by the California Sun.
If you've never had a sun dried tomato, which I find HIGHLY unlikely, the pack ten times to tomato flavor in a quarter of the package.

My absolute faves are the Smoked Sun Dried, because not only are they dried but they hold a smoky flavor so decedent you'll swear your eating a slice of steak!
I put mine in a salad instead of meat, and didn't miss it!
Did I mention these things are Fat Free AND Trans fat Free?

INEEDA Salad,
from when I was craving fresh veggies, but didn't want to go through the work of finding everything.

1 head Romaine lettuce, shredded loosely
2 scallions, or green onions, chopped
1 handful of Smoke Sun Dried Tomatoes, Julienne Cut
2 tbsp Shredded Parmesan Cheese
4 tbsp Vinaigrette, I used Balsamic, but used what you like.

Combine and toss, serve with a fork. For this one I took a fork straight to the big salad bowl, it didn't last long.

Low in Sodium, Low in sugar, Low in calories. They even encourage you to eat them straight out the bag as a snack! Buy Buy Gummy Bears! Hello To-ma-toes!

Little Azio's Pasta
Every time I go to Little Azio's in Midtown I order this dish. Yes it's high in calories, it's been over a month since I've had it and it will probably be another month before I have it again. (Trying to slim down for Valentine's Day with the Girls!)

Tricolor Tortellini Pasta, a la Little Azio's
Cheese filled or your choice, (rule of thumb-1 handful is one serving)
1 Jar Alfredo Sauce, I like Bertolli, its cheap without tasting cheap, and making my own would take all day. (Servings: 1/4 cup for a dinner size serving; for this make 4-8 depending on the jar)
1/8 tsp nutmeg, the secret ingredient to making it taste homemade
1/2 cup white wine, the other secret ingredient
2 Chicken Breasts, more if you want to have less carbs and more protein
Spinach, 2 bunches fresh or 1 package chopped, frozen
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
Smoked Sun Dried Tomatoes
1/2 tsp basil, dried is fine for this
1/8 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, (Optional: I like heat, but you don't have to add this)
1 Medium Onion, diced
1 clove garlic
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1. Boil Pasta until tender and cooked all the way through, you will have to taste it to figure it out. I know HORRIBLE right? Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water
2. Split and season Chicken Breasts, I like to beat mine with the meat mallet so that the meat is evenly sized and will cook evenly. Season lightly with salt & pepper. Oil your pan or grill, make sure it's HOT! Sear Chicken on both sides, it's okay if its not cooked all the way through, you'll be cooking it twice, but try to get all the pink out in this first cook. Once chicken is seared, pull from the pan and let rest. After about five minute, slice or cube to your liking.
3. Clean fresh spinach, or thaw frozen spinach. If you are using frozen, thaw and squeeze out all the water. Spinach is VERY watery (this can actually account for part of your daily water intake!) and you don't want the water in your sauce. Saute the fresh spinach until wilted but still bright green (bright veggies still have their nutritional qualities intact) and set aside.
4. In a sauce pan, add a few tsp of olive oil and saute your onions and garlic. You want them to be slightly brown, but not burnt. Start on medium heat and adjust. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Adding the salt now brings out the water in the onions and saves you from over-salting later. From now on, no more salt in the pan! Add the Alfredo sauce, and let simmer. Add 1/2 the white wine, 1/2 of the pasta water and nutmeg. Stir occasionally, but let simmer until condensed. The sauce should cover the back of a spoon.
5. In the frying pan, add a few more drops of oil and put the chicken cubes, or slices, over med-high heat. Add the rest of the wine, the basil and thyme (and red pepper), (don't stand over the pan, you'll give yourself a wine facial!) and the rest of the pasta water. This is your opportunity to cook the rest of the pink out of your chicken. Once the liquid is about gone, add the pasta. Toss to loosen all the pieces. Add the spinach and Sun Dried Tomatoes, incorporate evenly. Slowly add the sauce to the pan, tossing lightly (if you can't toss a pan, just stir it with a spoon, you can't taste the difference) until all the pieces are coated.
6. Once everything is heated through, plate it and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Garnish with more tomatoes or fresh spinach. Serve steamy with a piece of garlic bread!

Feel free to add Mushrooms, Broccoli, Artichoke hearts, Asparagus, Cubed Squash, prosciutto, fresh tomatoes, or peas.
Depending on your appetite this can serve 6 people or 2 person for 2 days. Make an AWESOME lunch, your office mates will be salivating over the microwave!


All in all, enjoy your food!