Bruschetta

from the kitchen of Whitney
4 plum or roma tomatoes, chopped into a fine dice (you can use other tomatoes, just take out the juice and seeds)
8 leaves of fresh basil (dried will not work) minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped sweet onion (can use shallot or green onion also), chopped into a fine dice
2 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, separated
1 baguette cut into slices (about 1/2-1 inch thick)

Mix all ingredients but the bread in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. The flavors will mix nicely

Take a 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil, brush it on the bread, then place the slices on a cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for a few minutes until they're nice and golden brown.

Assemble by placing about 2 Tbsp of bruschetta on each slice of bread. Do not plate early since the liquid in the bruschetta will make the bread soggy. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or top with melted mozzarella cheese, if desired.

Oatmeal Cookies

from the kitchen of Whitney

Serves 16 3 per serving

1 large egg white
¼ cup sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup butter
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp table salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cup uncooked quick oats
¾ cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a medium bowl. Place butter in a large bowl or in the bowl of a mixer and beat butter for a few seconds. Gradually add sugars and beat to combine.
Add egg white to butter mixture and beat to combine. Add dry ingredients and beat to combine.
Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Bake until set and golden, about 11 to 14 minutes. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool. Yields 2 cookies per serving.

Fusili with Yellow Pepper Sauce

From the kitchen of Whitney

Serves 4

1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp parsley
¼ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
4 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups uncooked fusili
¼ tsp table salt
2 tsp olive oil
½ medium tomatoes
1 medium onion
1 large yellow pepper
3/4 cup water

1. Combine water, pepper, onion, tomato, oil, salt, and ground pepper in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover and cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender and liquid evaporates, 15 to 18 minutes. Add more water, ¼ cup at a time, if liquid evaporates too fast.

2. Meanwhile, cook fusili according to package directions. Drain and put in a serving bowl.

3. Transfer vegetables into a blender or food processor. Add ricotta cheese and puree. Pour over fusilli and toss to coat. Serve, sprinkled with parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

from the kitchen of Whitney


Serves 6

¾ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
 9 dry lasagna noodle
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp table salt
2 tsp olive oil
4 medium garlic cloves
4 small tomatoes
3 medium sweet red peppers
3 medium raw eggplant(3 medium raw summer squash/zucchini)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In roasting pan, combine vegetables and garlic with olive oil. Bake until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Place half to two-thirds of vegetables, salt and pepper, and ½ cup of water in food processor and process until smooth.
Place three noodles over puree. Top with ½ cup of puree, ½ of remaining vegetables, 2 tbsp of Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers and then top with remaining 3 noodles, puree and cheese.
 Bake until bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.