Ground Beef & Asparagus Pasta

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
• 3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced shallots (about 2 large)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Cook pasta in salted boiling water 10 minutes or until tender. 

Add asparagus; continue cooking 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta and asparagus are tender. 

Drain well. 

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.

Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. 

Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; pour off drippings

Heat oil in same skillet over medium heat until hot. 

Add shallots and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. 

Remove from heat. Add beef; toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Combine beef mixture with pasta and asparagus in large bowl; toss well. 

Sprinkle with cheese.

Turtle Cookie Bars

 

Turtle Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ chocolate chip cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

24 caramels, unwrapped

1 tablespoon milk

3/4 cup pecan halves

3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon shortening


Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, stir together cookie mix, butter, egg and 1/2 cup chopped pecans until soft dough forms. Press evenly in ungreased 8-inch square pan. Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and milk over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.

Carefully spread melted caramels evenly over warm bars; sprinkle with pecan halves. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars. Let stand about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.