Recipe of the Month - Turkey & Penne Casserole

Yeah, that whole cooking a new recipe every week didn't work out, so now I'm aiming at once a month. And, as is probably evident, I like meals that come all in one dish, so that when I'm warming them up all week long I don't have to do anything more than toss it on a plate and microwave. So here's the newest!

Turkey & Penne Casserole
8 servings

Ingredients:
3 cups whole-wheat penne
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey (lean)
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes, drained then broken up (I used 5 fresh tomatoes - whatever you have)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dried oregano (or 2 tbsp fresh chopped)
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

2. Cook the penne according to package directions omitting the salt, if desired. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a nonstick Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, salt & pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in the oregano.

4. Add the turkey mixture to the penne; mix well. Stir in the ricotta and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella; transfer to the baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. Bake until heated through and lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition per serving (about 1 1/4 cups): Calories 306, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 474 mg, Carbs 37 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Protein 27 g, Calcium 235 mg.

To be honest, I would probably cut a little of the oregano and add some parsley and maybe some other herbs. But overall, I really like this dish! With a little side salad or fruit it's perfect!

Winter in LA

I took a quick, 6-day trip to LA to meet up with my cousins Brennon & Allison. We spent time at the WB lot, especially at the Gilmore Girls set (this is the gazebo)...

and Central Perk from Friends.

Then we headed to Hollywood to see the stars and take a break at this oxygen bar at Hollywood & Highland!

We had brunch and spent the day at the beach.

One of the boats Herb's dad made for the art installation in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Pier

And finally, we had a family bbq!

I would laugh...

if these weren't true stories.

Today, the genius participants in the NYU College Republicans are staging an event called "Find the Illegal Immigrant." No, I'm not joking. They will be having a volunteer put on a nametage with "Illegal Immigrant" written on it. Other people will sign up to be INS officers, and will then find the illegal immigrant. The first to find him/her will win a prize. For finding a fake illegal immigrant. It's a game (apparently). Is anyone else as disturbed by this as I am? Does this make any sense at all? I can only see this leading to a lot of harassment and idiocy. Who thought this was a great idea?

On another immigration note, Kate just sent me a NY Times article about a "resort" in Mexico. You go down and they bring you on a 4-hour hike that mimicks crossing the border as if you were an illegal immigrant trying to make your way to America. Seriously. I guess it could be a good way to show what it takes to cross the border, but it just seems a little odd to me. Here's the story if you want to take a look.