Baked French Toast

2 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, cubed
8 slices heavy bread, cubed
1 doz. eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In 9x13 baking dish, combine 1/2 of bread cubes all cream cheese.
Add remaining bread cubes.
Mix eggs, milk, syrup together in large bowl.
Pour over cube mixture.
Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in refrigerator overnight.
Serve with warm syrup.
Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350.
Serves 6-8

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

1 cup brown rice
2/3 cup onion diced small
2 cups chicken broth
1 can black beans- rinsed
1 4 oz can diced Jalapenos
sour cream
green onions

in medium sauce pan combine onion, jalapenos, rice and chicken broth- cook according to rice directions (45-50 min). When finished mix in black beans and serve with sour cream and green onions for garnish

I make this rice side with a grilled chicken breast that I season with Carribean Jerk seasoning- so easy and soooooo yummy!  - Sarah Mortensen

Parmesan Bow-tie Skillet

3 cups bow-tie pasta - cooked and drained
1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

Combine pasta, spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 2 Tbsp parmesan in a large skillet or large saucepan.
Cook on meduim heat 10 min. or until heated through,stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese adn 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese.
Cover and let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

You can add chicken to it if you need a little more substance.

Roasted Garlic Potatoe Soup with Bagel Chips

1 1/2 cups water
2 cups half and half
1 14 oz package of Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
1 cup  shredded cheddar cheese

On a med. high temp. bring water and half and half to a boil, stirring often.
Remove from heat and stir in potatoe mix until smooth (no lumps).
Add 3/4 of the cheese and mix until melted.
Spoon into bowls and top with remaining cheese.

Yields 4 (1cup) servings.

Bagle Chips

Thinly slice 2 bagels and coat well with butter flavored cooking spray.
Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes or until brown.

Tortellini Primavera with Pesto Sauce

I was skeptical of this one because of the pesto sauce, but it is REALLY good.  If you wanted it to be a little more substantial you could add chicken (maybe even have it over rice?)

9 oz. refrigerated (or frozen) cheese tortellini
16 oz frozen stir-fry vegetables
8 oz sour cream
2 Tbls. pesto
1/4 tsp. salt
1 oz. finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. pepper

Cook the tortellini and vegetables in a pot of boiling water until tender.
Drain and return to pot.
While that is cooking combine the sour cream, pesto and salt.
Add sauce to pasta and vegetables, mix well, sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

YUM! Makes 4 servings

Beany Salad

Salad
1/2 c. pearled barley
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
1 cup kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 cup canned corn drained and rinsed
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 red pepper finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro / basil

Dressing
1/4 cup redwine finegar / rice vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Cook Barley:
Add barley to 3 cups cold water, bring to a boil.
Boil 3 - 5 minutes and reduce heat.
Simmer until water is gone
Cook Rice:
Bring 2 cups water to a boil, add rice and reduce heat.
Simmer until water is gone
Dressing:
Mixall ingredients together well (I use a tupperware shaker bottle)

Add all salad ingredients (EXCEPT CILANTRO / BAZIL) together with COOLED barley and rice.
Poor dressing over salad and mix together well. 
Chill over night.