Black Bean Lasagna

1 − 28 ounce jar tomato pasta sauce 1/2 cup water 2 cans (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained 1 3/4 cups lowfat ricotta cheese 1 egg 12 uncooked lasagna noodles 2 1/2 cups shredded skim mozzarella cheese Preheat oven to 375F. Over low heat, simmer tomato sauce, water, and black beans. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Set aside. Using a 9 X 13 inch baking dish, place 1 cup of the bean/sauce mixture on the bottom of the dish. Place 3 pieces of uncooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Next, spread about 2/3 cup of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with 1 cup of the bean/sauce mixture, lastly about 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Repeat two layers of noodles, ricotta, bean/sauce, and mozzarella. Then place on the remaining 3 lasagna noodles and pour the remaining bean/sauce mixture over all. Top with remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 375F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before cutting. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Beef Tenderloin with Cabernet Cherry Sauce

4 small filet mignon steaks (about 1/4 pound each) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper or freshly ground pepper Cabernet Cherry Sauce: 1 1/2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon or Burgundy 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 4 whole cloves 8 whole pepper corns 1 bay leaf, torn into small pieces 1/2 pound fresh Bing cherries, rinsed Salt and pepper for seasoning Optional: 1−2 teaspoon sugar Set oven controls to broil. Line a broiling pan with aluminum foil and place in the oven on the top rack to preheat. Trim the steaks of visible fat. Rub the garlic evenly over the steaks and season with salt and cracked pepper. Set aside until ready to broil. Add the Cabernet and balsamic vinegar to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Tie the cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a bundle with a small piece of cheese cloth. Add the bundle to the wine mixture. Allow the mixture to reduce to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. While the wine is reducing, pit the cherries. Cut the cherries into quarters and add to the wine mixture. Cover and cook over medium−high heat until the cherries are tender, about 10 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Add the sugar to balance the flavors, if needed. The sauce should have a deep robust flavor but not be too sweet. While the sauce is cooking, broil the steaks for 3−4 minutes per side for medium rare. To serve, remove the spice bundle from the sauce. Place the steaks on individual plates with the sauce spooned over the top. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Chocolate Candy Cheesecake

1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 egg white, slightly beaten 1 tablespoon light butter or margarine 1 − 8 oz. bar light cream cheese, softened 1 − 8 oz. bar fat−free cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 3 egg whites 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 light Milky Way bars, cut up 1/4 cup fat−free caramel ice cream topping Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9 inch pie pan with nonstick spray oil. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 1 egg white, and melted margarine until well moistened. Press crust evenly into prepared pie pan, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine both bars of cream cheese and sugar. Beat with a mixer until fluffy. Beat in egg whites, cocoa, yogurt, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in candy bar pieces and pour into prepared pie pan. Bake at 350F for 60 to 65 minutes or until center is set. Let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes. Top with caramel topping and refrigerate until served. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Baked Potato with Spicy Chicken Topping

4 baking potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1 cup chopped onions 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 lb. boned chicken breast, cut in strips 2 tablespoons flour 1 1/4 cup chicken broth 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco 1/2 cup raisins Scrub potatoes, dry and prick with fork. Cook. In a large skillet, heat oil and saute almonds until golden brown. Add onion and garlic. Saute until tender. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until chicken turns white. Sprinkle with flour and mix well. Combine broth, lemon juice, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and Tabasco. Gradually add to chicken mixture, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in raisins. Simmer 3 minutes. Spoon over blossomed potatoes. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Baked Macaroni, Cheese & Spinach

1 pound elbow macaroni 15 oz. low fat ricotta cheese 1 3/4 cups skim milk 1/2 cup egg substitute 2 teaspoons brown mustard 1 −2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper 2 cups shredded low fat cheddar cheese 2 cups torn fresh spinach leaves 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup fine bread crumbs 1 teaspoon paprika Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 9 X 13 or 3 quart baking dish with nonstick spray oil. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, mix ricotta cheese, milk, egg substitute, mustard, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Drain macaroni, return to pot and add shredded cheddar and spinach. Stir until cheese melts and spinach wilts. Stir in ricotta mixture and scrape into prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni and cheese. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes. Serve hot. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith