Berry Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 20 to 30 store-bought ladyfingers
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• Zest of one lemon
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup seedless berry jam or jelly
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 3 cups other mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc)
• Juice of one lemon

Preparations:

1. In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries, raspberries and blackberries with the lemon juice to combine. Add 1/4 cup sugar and mix well.
2. Arrange the ladyfingers in an even, single layer in the base of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Save remaining ladyfingers. 
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whipping attachment, whip the cream and milk with 3/4 cup sugar until the mixture forms soft peaks. Add the ricotta, cream cheese, lemon zest, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and whip until medium peaks form.
4. Pour half of the cream mixture over the ladyfinger layer and spread even with a spatula. 
5. Microwave the jam in 30 second increments until it is soft and spreadable. Then, spread the jam on top of the cream in an even layer.
6. Arrange the remaining ladyfingers on top of the jam in an even layer. Top with the remaining cream mixture.
7. Pour the berry mixture in an even layer on top of the cream. Chill at least one hour to soften the ladyfingers before serving.

Pizza Hummus

Ingredients:

• 6 cloves garlic, preferably roasted
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas – drained, but liquid from can reserved
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 6 basil leaves
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese
• 2 tsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp onion Powder
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3/4 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Preparations:

1. Pulse the garlic in the food processor until roughly chopped, about 5 pulses.
2. Add in all the remaining ingredients, except the olive oil and reserved bean liquid. Process until combined and almost smooth in consistency, about 1 minute. stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.
3. With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil through the opening at the top of the processor and process until smooth. Add in the reserved bean liquid, 1-2 tablespoons at time. Process until desired consistency and thinness is achieved.

Crockpot Lasagna

Ingredients: 

• .75-1lb of fake meat crumbles
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 1 bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 2 Tbsp sun dried tomatoes, diced (optional)
• 1 15 oz container ricotta cheese 
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 25 oz jar pasta sauce
• 12-15 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Preparations:

1. Combine the fake meat, onion, pepper, garlic, and sun dried tomato in a bowl. Set aside. {Sidenote: if using frozen meat, just set it out while chopping the vegetables and it should be fine by to combine.)
2. Place the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, herbs, garlic powder, salt and egg in a bowl and stir to combine.
3. Pour half of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a crock pot.
4. Place a layer of noodles on top of the sauce, roughly 3-4 noodles, covering the entire surface, breaking the noodles to fit the pot.
5. Layer half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles, followed by half of the chopped vegetable mixture, and then 2/3 cup of mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat with another layer of noodles, followed by the remaining ricotta mixture and the chopped vegetable mixture.
7. Pour the remaining pasta sauce on top of the lasagna and top with the remaining cheese.
8. Cook on low for 3.5 hours. 
9. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cook on Low for another half an hour.

Spaghetti Pie

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces dried spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces veggie ground beef
• 1/2 chopped onion
• I finely chopped Bell pepper
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Preparations:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.
2. Return spaghetti to warm saucepan. Stir butter into hot pasta until melted. Stir in egg and Parmesan cheese; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet saute onion, sweet pepper, and garlic until onion is tender and bell beginning to crisp. Add in veggie meat and heat thoroughly. Stir in marinara sauce and seasoning and bring to a simmer.
4. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Press spaghetti mixture onto bottom and up sides of pie plate, forming a crust. If using ricotta cheese, create a thin layer on top of spaghetti. Spread meat mixture as third layer. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese starting to brown.
6. To serve, cut into wedges.

Spicy Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• .5 tsp dried red pepper flakes
• 1 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes
• Salt, to taste
• .5 lb rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• .25 cup chopped pine nuts

Preparation:

1. Bring water to a boil
2. In a large skillet over setting medium-low, heat the oil. Add garlic and pepper flakes and sauté until garlic is light tan and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
3. When water comes to a boil, add salt and pasta. Cook according to pasta directions. Drain.
4. Toss pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, basil, and pine nuts. Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 2-3