Not Exactly Alfredo Sauce, But Just As Good

I love cheese. There's no surprise there. I also love Alfredo sauce, but sometimes it needs a little kick. I found this sauce was just the thing - Gorgonzola Sauce.

Here's what you need:

your favorite cooked pasta (I used linguine)

1 tbsp butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups whipping/heavy cream

1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (I used some left over white zin.)

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (2 ounces)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Here's what you do:

1. Cook the pasta to your liking.


2. While it is cooking, melt the butter in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat (I had to use low because I have a gas stove). After it is melted, add the garlic and stir until it has a golden hue.


3. Stir in the whipping cream, wine, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken and then reduce the heat.


4. Stir in the cheese and cook until it is melted.


5. Toss the pasta and the sauce together.


6. Top with walnuts and any extra cheese if you please.

The sauce has a good taste to it and is not as bland as some Alfredo sauces can be. I served this with small bruschette rounds and Wegmans' store made bruschette.

Enjoy!

Better Than Take-Out

I love Chinese take-out just as much as the next person, but it gets a little expensive after a while. So I decided to make my own. I got all of my ingredients at Wegmans and I used my wok I got for my wedding shower (almost three years ago). The wok was actually the inspiration for this, because I felt so bad for not using it and it seemed to call me everytime I went into the pantry. So I got it out, oiled it up, and started cooking.

Here's what you need:

1 lb. beef sirloin strips, 3 tbsp water, 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch

1 diced red peper, stir fry veggies (onions, snow peas, baby corn, carrots, etc. I used a package Wegmans had ready so I didn't have to do the cutting and washing)

1 tbsp peeled and chopped garlic, 1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh ginger root (this also comes in a paste and can be located in the aisle that contains the prechopped garlic)

1 tbsp veggie oil, 1/2 cup stir fry sauce (or 1/4 cup soy sauce)

Here's what you do:

1. Steam the veggies for 3 - 5 minutes until they're tender and bright. (I used a big boiling pot with a steamer basked. After the veggies were steamed, I removed the basket and then put a bag of rice into the boiling water now flavored with the veggies)



2. Place the beef in a small bowl with the water and the cornstarch. Coat the beef in the cornstarch.



3. Cover the pan with the oil and heat on high until it sizzles and smokes a little bit (you may want to wear an apron and open a window. I'm just saying.).


4. Stir fry the beef, ginger, and garlic for about 5 minutes (or about medium rare).


5. Add the veggies and stir fry for another minute or two (or until your meat is cooked to your liking).


6. Add the stir fry sauce and stir until headed through.

I served with cooked brown rice.

Enjoy!