Love Is….Pasta + Cake

By: Sarah Lee

 

On this special love month, you can always rely on a classic flavor combination of creamy goodness pasta and a home-baked dreamy cake for your romantic dinner. You and yours will enjoy my surprisingly easy Ham and Broccoli Rigatoni (Exquisite is the only word to describe it!) and deliciously-frosted Valentine’s Day Cake (and it doesn’t have to always be a chocolate cake). Then enjoy sips and more sips of Moscato Asti (I love this!) with intermittent hugs and kisses. And if that ain’t enough to celebrate a special day…book a couple’s massage (I can’t think of a better way to say “I love you” than enjoying being massaged in the same room, at the same time, by two different massage therapists; it is hottest and it is luxurious pampering).

HAM AND BROCCOLI RIGATONI
About 2 cups broccoli florets
1 box rigatoni, cooked al dente according to package directions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups cubed cooked ham
1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 package (4 oz) regular cream cheese
1 tablespoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese salt and pepper to taste

Cook broccoli in salted boiling water for 5 minutes; drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, saute ham and minced garlic in oil until lightly browned. Add flour and stir continuously for about 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring until sauce thickens. Add cream cheese and seasonings, stirring until cream cheese is completely melted. Toss in cooked broccoli and rigatoni, coating well with sauce. Serve with additional Parmesan Cheese.

DELICIOUSLY-FROSTED VALENTINE’S DAY CAKE
1 box cake mix (your choice)
2 cartons (8 oz each) Cool Whip, thawed
1 sachet Dr. Oetker Whip It (Stabilizer for Whipping cream)
1 box (8 oz) regular cream cheese
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ or powdered sugar

Bake cake in two 8 or 9-inch round pans according to box directions. Remove cake from oven and let cool. Using an electric mixer, mix Cool whip, Whip It, cream cheese and powdered sugar together until fluffy and smooth. Garnish with either chocolate curls, fresh strawberries or shredded sweetened coconut. My co-workers at the spa recently tried my special casserole dish I created and they all gave 2 thumbs-up. I’m sharing the recipe again; enjoy while watching the singing competition unfolding in American Idol!

“AMERICAN IDOL” CASSEROLE
1 box (6 oz) chicken or turkey-flavored stuffing mix
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) margarine, melted
2 cups cooked chicken breast, cut in chunks
2 medium-sized zucchini, unpeeled, washed well and diced
2 medium-sized carrots, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
1 can ( 8 ounce) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup regular sour cream
1 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 teaspoons fresh minced ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray inside of a 2 -1/2-quart casserole dish or 8 x 12 Pyrex dish with cooking spray; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix together stuffing mix and melted margarine; measure 1/2 cup of stuffing mix and set aside for topping. Add to the remaining stuffing mix the rest of the ingredients, stirring and mixing well. Pour entire mixture into prepared casserole or pyrex dish. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup stuffing mix over casserole. Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serves 6. Share your recipe by email (celebreatylink@sbcglobal.net) and if published, I’m sending you a complimentary copy of THE CELEBREATY RECIPES COOKBOOK. Buy one, get 2nd copy at 50% off. Please make checks ($ 18.00 for 2 books) payable to: Glenn Turner, 127 N MAIN ST #1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Shipping is free. Remember, Love is…best expressed with sweet and romantic homemade treats. Ow, six more weeks of chilly Winter temps…I am so ready for spring yo!

FACEBOOK: Celebreaty Link and Via Times NewsMagazine BLOG: Celebr-EAT-y by Sarah Lee (hit subscribe to blog when you visit my blog) BLOG LINK: http://celebreaty4recipes.wordpress. com/

Ham with Broccoli Rigatoni

 

Deliciously Frosted Valentine’s Day Cake

 

LAUNCH OF VEMMA RENEW

The New Year always brings promise of new beginnings and resolutions to improve one’s health, fitness and overall well-being. Vemma Nutrition Company announced the launch of its newest ready-to-drink beverage for those looking to kick-start a healthy 2014. At only 45 calories and with only 5 grams of all-natural sweeteners, Vemma Renew™ is an ultra-premium nutritional beverage that provides the essential nutrients needed to maintain overall health and well-being. This flavorful, caffeine-free, non-carbonated drink is packed with antioxidants and features 2 ounces of the clinically studied Vemma formula along with 20 mg of silica, which is known to help maintain healthy skin, nails and hair.* Along with Silica, Vemma Renew contains antiaging properties and a formula that supports collagen production, which gives Renew the added benefit of appealing to the beauty conscious consumer looking for a healthy approach to beauty from the inside out.* Years of product research and development, led by Vemma Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D. and Founder and CEO BK Boreyko, support Vemma’s clinically studied, ultra-premium nutritional formula found in Vemma Renew. Vemma Renew Provides: 2 oz of the physician formulated, clinically studied Vemma formula: · 20 mg of plant-sourced silica known to maintain healthy skin, nails and hair* · One of the most powerful liquid antioxidants available · Only 45 calories and 5 g of all-natural sweeteners · Anti-aging and immune boosting properties* · Supports collagen production* · Caffeine free, non-carbonated, and non-GMO · No artificial flavors and colors or high fructose corn syrup. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Live Healthy to Prevent Obesity: Celebration of the Year of the Horse Chicago, IL – The Lunar New Year is coming in about a week. It is a time for celebration and being with family. The Chinese New Year for 2014 falls on January 31st and it is the year of the horse, which symbolizes movement. The new year is celebrated for several days with gatherings and good food. It is also the time to bring new beginnings to a healthier you.

Live Healthy to Prevent Obesity: Celebration of the Year of the Horse

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that 38.6% of Asian American adults have a BMI over 25, falling in the overweight and obese category, with 11% being obese. Although these numbers are lower than the national average of 68% and 35% respectively, many Asians, Chinese included, can get many chronic diseases at a lower body mass index than what is the standard because of relatively small body size. These include diabetes, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and certain cancers. Many people in our community have the misconception that if they are slim or not overweight, then they will not get a disease. This is not true. It is important for everyone to eat healthy food, eat the right portion, and be physically active even if they are not overweight. The start of a new year means days of celebration and good food. At this time of celebration, we must remind ourselves to live healthy by adding healthy food to our meals; such as substituting brown rice for white rice during some meals, having enough servings of vegetables and fruits; not over eating even if the food is tempting, and being physically active with our families.