Spicy Pasta

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Serves: 6

1 (12 ounce) package rotini pasta
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 onion, diced
2 red chile peppers, seeded and chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 drops hot pepper sauce
salt and ground black pepper to taste

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic with basil and Italian seasoning for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onion and chiles; cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes and hot sauce; simmer for 5 minutes, or until heated through. Toss with the cooked pasta, and season with salt and pepper.

Note: For a milder flavor, simply leave out the chiles.

Meatball Nirvana

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 4

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup skim milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place the beef into a mixing bowl, and season with salt, onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, and place onto a baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Roast Chicken Pita Pockets

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 25 Minutes
Serves: 3

2 honey-roasted skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 white pita bread
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
2. Heat pita breads in preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until slightly browned.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the chicken, lettuce, onion, cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice and ground black pepper. Mix well. (Note: If making this for kids, you may want to exclude chili sauce and hot pepper sauce.)
4. Slice hot pita breads around the edges to form pockets; fill bread pockets with chicken mixture. Serve hot.