April 22: Cream of Tomato Pasta (with chicken or seafood)

Alfredo sauce:
1 cup heavy cream (Only eat this once a month---It's fattening!)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
4 Tbs. white wine
1 Tbs. basil
1 Tbs. parsley
1 tsp oregano
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. salt
ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan over medium low heat until butter and all cheese melts.

In skillet, Saute:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 red onion, diced
2 cups cubed (raw) chicken breat or fish meat (halibut or swordfish are good choices)
2 lg. cloves garlic
1 can chopped (not cooked) tomatoes, or three large fresh tomatoes, chopped

Saute onion first, then add chicken (or fish) and garlic. (Cook meat thoroughly!) Stir in tomatoes over medium heat. Reduce to low and cook ten minutes. To assemble, cook any shaped pasta (long noodles work well with this dish) in boiling water according to package directions. (Cook enough for four adults.) Drain pasta and place in pasta bowl. Top with tomato mixture and toss through. Pour Alfredo sauce over. Top the dish with fresh parmesan and parsley. Serves four.

Conversation starter: List five things you are thankful for today.

February 3: Salmon cakes!

Okay, that's a bass, but you get the idea. This is a very inexpensive dinner, and yummy too.

Salmon Cakes with Sweet Hot Sauce

2 eight ounce cans salmon

2 eggs

2/3 cup packaged bread crumbs

dash Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tbs. ketchup

4 green onions, chopped

3 Tbs. Dried parsley

2 tsp. Sesame oil

1 Tbs. Canola oil

1 Tbs. Cornstarch

¼ cup sugar

2 Tbs. Soy sauce

2 Tbs. Ketchup

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ cup chicken broth

1 tsp. Hot sauce

2 Tbs. Chopped fresh cilantro

Combine first eight ingredients and shape into 5-6 patties. Set aside. In saucepan, combine the cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, broth and hot sauce over medium heat until cornstarch is combined and the sauce has thickened and has a sheen to it. Remove from heat and add cilantro. Heat skillet to medium high, adding oils. Sauté salmon patties until brown on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Serve with Sweet Hot Sauce. Serves 5-6.

Conversation starter: If you could go fishing anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?