Tacosagna

This is a Rachel Ray recipe, it turned out so good, I will definitely be making this again. I love the fresh lettuce and tomatoes served on top, and that it had grated carrots and zuchinni "hidden" in the meat mixture.

Tacosagna

2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 lbs. ground turkey
1 zuchinni
2 carrots, peeled
3 cloves garlic
1 medium onion
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can large black olives, drained and chopped
taco seasoning
salt
pepper
1 c. beef broth
6 soft taco sized flour tortillas
4 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 green onions, chopped
2 hearts romaine, chopped
2 roma tomatoes, chopped

Preheat oven to 400.

Heat large skillet with vegetable oil. Add the meat and brown for 5 minutes. While the turkey is browning grate the zuchinni and carrots and add to meat mixture. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper, and olives. Add about 1/4 c. of taco seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Add beef broth and let simmer until veggies and turkey are cooked through. Spray a 13X9 pan with cooking spray. Layer 2 flour tortillas, 1/3 of meat mixture, 1/3 of cheese and repeat two more times. Sprinkle a little taco seasoning over top and bake for about 15 minutes, until hot and cheese is melted. Top with green onions, lettuce, and tomatoes and serve.

Simple Glazed Fruit Salad

This is a very simple fruit salad, by no means is it gourmet, but I like it because it adds a pretty, sweet glaze to the fruit. I love making this in the summer when the strawberries are in season!

Simple Glazed Fruit Salad

1 pint strawberries, rinsed and cut in half
2 banans, sliced
1 large orange, cut in cubes
2 cups green grapes
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
milk

Toss all fruit together in a large bowl. Sprinkle about 2/3 of the package of instant pudding over the fruit, pour about 1/2 a cup of milk over fruit. Toss gently until the milk and pudding combine to make a nice glaze. Add more milk if necessary. You can use all kinds of fruits and puddings, I tried coconut pudding once and it was yummy too.

Luscious Lemonade Cupcakes

Mmmm, mmmm! These cupcakes are perfect for spring! The lemon cream frosting really makes these delicious, and ta da! This recipe is actually from the Cooking Light magazine, who would have thought I would bake anything low fat? :) This recipe makes a two layer 9 inch round cake or about 20 cupcakes.

Luscious Lemonade Cupcakes

1 1/3 c. sugar
6 Tbs. softened butter
1 Tbs. grated lemon rind
3 Tbs thawed lemonade concentrate (I used MinuteMaid)
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
2 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 c. lowfat buttermilk

Frosting:
2 Tbs butter, softened
1 Tbs grated lemon rind
2 tsp thawed lemonade concentrate
1/2 tsp vanilla
8 oz. 1/3 less fate cream cheese
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat sugar, butter, lemon rind, lemonade concentrate, and vanilla together for 2 minutes. Add eggs and egg whites one at a time, beat well after each addition.
Combine baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to batter, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter into two greased 9 inch round cake pans (or makes 20 cupcakes). Bake for 20 minutes (15 for cupcakes), let cool for 10 minutes in pan and invert onto a wire rack.

For frosting combine first five ingredients. Add in enough powdered sugar to reach the consistency you like. I did add in a little yellow food coloring to make them look lemony. Frost cake and store in refrigerator. Cupcakes are best eaten the same day.