Summerly Squash

We were give a huge zucchini and summer squash from an avid gardener, so I needed to make a dish based on these two ingredients.  The Summerly Squash dish is good, but I think could have more flavor (possibly because I didn't use the Bay Leaf).

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/summerly-squash/detail.aspx


I used Pam instead of vegetable oil and still got the vegetables to a nice crisp-tender state.  I drained one can of diced tomatoes with oregano and basil and used it instead of medium tomatoes to hopefully enhance the Italian flavors - it also resulted in more of a "sauce".  I skipped the bay leaf because we didn't have any - this was probably my downfall.  The dish was still good - and I added some Trader Joe's Italian Sausageless Sausage for a kick of protein.  Overall, tasty, but possibly more flavor needed with additional herbs (or a Bay Leaf!).

Sausage, Biscuits, and Gravy

This meal was not as good as I expected it to be.  My fiancée really likes this dish (with real sausage), so I thought it might be nice to make it for him vegetarian style.  I guess I’ll have to go with a different recipe for both the gravy and the biscuits next time.      

                                                                                        http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Moms-Baking-Powder-Biscuits/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Moms-Country-Gravy/Detail.aspx

The biscuits did not rise at all – and I followed the recipe exactly.  In addition, they tasted kind of floury.  Not good.  I put them into a Tupperware container and I would have thought they were sugar cookies if I didn’t know better!  The country gravy also did not taste right to me – I’ve never had it before, but I once again followed the recipe without a great result.  Adding more pepper to it helped, but it still needs something more.  The best part of the dish was the Morningstar Farms Sausage Links.  I may try this whole thing again, but not with the same recipes.

Squash Stuffed with Ricotta

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Squash-Stuffed-with-Ricotta-Cheese/Detail.aspx

I liked this meal – the squash stayed crisp and moist and everything worked together very well, but I may use more garlic next time.  The mixture inside the squash was a little runny, but that’s because I didn’t squeeze out the spinach as much I should have.  Next time I’ll use paper towels in addition to just squeezing it. 

I used six large squash instead of 8 – I wouldn’t have had enough filling if I did that!  I used my electronic steamer instead of steaming the squash over boiling water – it worked very well.  I used Low Fat Ricotta instead of full fat and didn’t lose any taste.  We had some fresh basil, so we threw that in with the parsley.  I served Classico Four Cheese sauce on the side for dipping – instead of the Tomato and Basil.  Finally, I sprayed the top with fake butter spray instead of brushing the tops with melted butter. 

I served with a Trader Joe’s Italian Sausage to increase the protein amount.  If you’re only having one, I would also suggest a piece of garlic bread or something else Italian-ish.

Overall, a tasty and filling meal that I plan to make again.