Stephanie Supper

Have I mentioned that our fridge is broken? We are going on week three, I believe. The repairman has been here twice, and thinks the fridge is fine. It is not! Just because it is running and is kind of cool does not mean it is working! He thinks my thermometer is wrong, but I have two and both are reading the same temperature which is about 10 degrees higher than a fridge is supposed to be. Thus, I can't grocery shop or store leftovers for fear of food poisoning. This and the fact that Matt has been working at a band camp and not eating at home have lead me to eat many Stephanie Suppers recently (which is okay by me). In college, my roommate (and good friend) Stephanie ate this dish or some variation of this multiple times a week (hence the name). Everytime I eat it, I am reminded of her. It is not really a specific recipe just a general guideline.

Stephanie Supper

Pasta (any shape), I have been using Whole Wheat

Broccoli

Butter or Olive Oil

Garlic or Garlic salt

Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions (just make as much as you think you will eat). I like to throw my the broccoli in with the boiling water for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. In the original version, she cooked the broccoli separately (usually in the microwave). It is good both ways. Drain the pasta (and broccoli). Now in my version I throw the butter and minced garlic into the already hot pasta pot. I saute until the butter is melted and the garlic has started to brown. (You can also just add the butter and garlic salt to the pasta before serving). I then put the pasta back in the pot and toss to coat it with the butter/garlic. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and enjoy.

*I think you could also make this with olive oil instead of butter for a healthier dish, but I am not a big fan of the flavor of olive oil and pasta.

Source: Stephanie

PB & Chocolate Chips?

Yup, these aren't your ordinary chocolate chip bars. They have peanut butter in them! I don't know that they are one of the best things that I have ever made, but they were pretty good and super easy. Matt's friends seemed to like them.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Splenda or another 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon course salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8x8 pan. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside. In another bowl cream together the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the sugars. Beat until well-combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl after each one. Add the vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips and combine. Spread the batter into the pan. Bake for 30-32 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Source: Sing for Your Supper

Pierogies

I can't believe that I married a man who doesn't like pierogies. Seriously? It is pasta, cheese, and mashed potatoes! What could be better? This is my go to meal when Matt is not at home. Someday I will be more Martha Stewarty and make my own pierogies (they are one of her favorite foods too!), but for now I am pretty content with the frozen ones. If you have never tried a pierogie you should do it now. Schwann's are by far the best but Mrs. T's are good too. However, you can only get the cheese flavored ones. The onion ones are not worth your time. Also, the ones in the ISU cafeteria should not even be called pierogies. They were gross: undercooked, covered with marinara, and nacho cheese. It was not good. The only way to make these is to saute them with onions and butter. Adding salt, pepper, and chives doesn't hurt either.