Tuscan Pasta

One of my favourite kitchen appliances is my crock pot. I love the option of throwing together a pot of chilli in the morning and having it ready when I get home in the evening. Another one of my favourite meals to make in the crock pot (or slow cooker if you prefer) is Tuscan Pasta.
This weekend my mom and sisters made it, and I snapped a picture to show you how delicious it looks!

Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
6 ounces thin spaghetti, broken into half

Method
Place all ingredients except spaghetti in crock pot. cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until vegetables are tender.
After 4 hours, turn crock pot to high, stir in spaghetti and cover. Stir again after 10 minutes. Cover and cook for 45 minutes or until pasta is tender. Garnish with parmesan cheese.

Happy Cooking,

PS: Here's where we link up.

Spinach Pasta

It's Monday again, and we're a little tired here in the big city. Mr Firefly spent the weekend at his parents house and participated in an "Amazing Race" put on by his extended family. I spent one night with his family and the other nice in Detroit with some wonderful college friends. Needless to say we didn't have time to relax. Here's a quick recipe I love to make when I'm tired and don't have much time.

Here's what you need:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb Italian smoked sausage
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (7 -10 ounce) bag of fresh baby spinach
• 1 large white onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. 1. Cook Pasta according to package
   2. Brown bite sized sausage links in oil on medium heat in a large skillet.
   3. Add onion garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook until onion is tender.
   4. Add tomatoes and spinach.
   5. Stir well until heated through.
   6. Serve over spaghetti or mix it all up.

Happy Cooking,

PS: Here's where we link up.