Browned Butter and Parmesan Pasta

The other night I needed a quick and easy solution for dinner, but didn't want any of my normal "go-to" quick meals. So, I looked in my fridge and cupboards and came up with this delicious dish, taking a cue from one of my favorite dishes at Spaghetti Factory - Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mazithra Cheese. Hope you enjoy!

2-3 Tbsp. butter
1 package pasta (I used Gemelli, but you could use anything), cooked according to package directions
1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese (Mazithra would be much better if you can find it)
1-2 cups broccoli
Salt and Pepper to taste

Melt butter in a small frying pan and cook until it turns brown. Mix pasta, cheese and broccoli together in a large serving bowl. Pour browned butter over the top and stir until combined. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

This is a very versatile recipe. Change up the pasta or veggie with what you have on hand. Would be great topped with grilled chicken.

Lemon Bars

For part of our family's Easter feast last night, I made these simple and tasty lemon bars and some carrot cake cupcakes, which I'll post later. These were easy and pretty quick, thanks to a cake mix.

1 pkg. lemon cake mix (or you could use yellow cake mix, but it won't be as lemon-y)
3 eggs, divided
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
2 tsp. lemon zest (about 1 large lemon's zest)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
powdered sugar, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 13x9 baking pan.
2. Combine cake mix, 1 egg, and shortening in a large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with mixer until coarse crumbs form. Reserve 1 cup. Pat remaining mixture into baking pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
3. Combine remaining 2 eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt in another mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until light and foamy. Pour over hot crust, then sprinkle reserved crumbs over the top.
4. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
5. Cool completely, the sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe uses 1/2 the butter and they are SO soft!

Cream the following ingredients:
1/2 cup softened butter
3 oz Apple Sauce (the individual containers work great)
1 package sugar-free jello (vanilla, cheesecake, etc)
3/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix in:
2 eggs (whip one egg in, then the 2nd)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cup flour

Add chocolate chips~ Try using half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate.

The dough will be a little sticky but if you chill it before you roll it, it turns out just fine.

Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes.