Artichoke and Walnut Pesto ~ adapted from Rachel Ray

8 oz pasta, recommended Barilla whole wheat penne
1/2 c toasted walnuts* (recipe to follow)
1 (15 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained
2 garlic cloves, pressed
zest of 1 lemon
1/4 c Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 c parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 t nutmeg
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 c olive oil
3 c fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

Toasted Walnuts
1/2 c shelled walnuts
2 T walnut oil

Over medium-high flame, heat walnut oil 3 minutes in medium skillet. Add walnuts and toast 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove walnuts to paper towel to drain and allow to cool.

Prepare pasta al dente according to package directions. In food processor, combine walnuts, artichoke hearts, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, parmesan cheese, nutmeg and several grinds of pepper (to taste). Pulse until chopped. Stream in olive oil until pesto forms. Place pesto in bottom of large pasta bowl.

Drain pasta reserving 1/4 c pasta water. Add hot pasta to bowl and add spinach. Toss to wilt greens and evenly coat pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water as desired. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Chef's Note: Special thanks to Amber for recommending this recipe. We loved it!

Artichoke Cheese Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 T lemon juice
1 c grated parmesan cheese
1 c canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 box Triscuit crackers, recommended: Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil

Mix cream cheese, lemon juice, parmesan and artichokes until well blended. Spoon 1/2 t cheese mixture onto cracker. Recipe tops approximately 60 crackers.

Chef's Note: Although this recipe is delicious at room temperature, I am particularly fond of placing 1/2 c in the microwave for 30 seconds prior to topping 10 crackers.

Key Lime Pie

1 9" graham cracker crust, prepared
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c key lime juice
1 t lime zest
3 eggs, separated
1/4 t cream of tartar
3 T sugar

Preheat oven to 325°. Blend milk, lime juice, zest and egg yolks until thoroughly combined. Pour into prepared crust. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium high two minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat on high until glossy and stiff peaks form. Pile meringue on filling and bake 15 minutes or until meringue is browned. Cool 30 minutes and refrigerate minimum 4 hours. Serves 8.

Chef's Note: Traditional Key Lime pie is not baked because the acidity of the lime juice reacts with the milk and thickens the pie filling without baking. While this holds true for tradition, it is widely known that raw egg consumption puts you at great risk for bacterial contamination. This short cooking time is probably enough to kill any bacteria lurking in your pie.

Enchilada Lasagna

3 T vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
Salt and pepper
2 t cumin powder
2 t garlic powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c frozen corn, thawed
1 (10 oz) can mild green chile, diced
1 (28 oz) can stewed tomatoes
16 corn tortillas
1 (28 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 c each jack and cheddar cheeses, shredded

Coat large saute pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and brown over medium heat 7 minutes per side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin and garlic powder before turning. Remove chicken from pan, allow to cool.

Saute garlic in chicken drippings 5 minutes over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Add corn and chiles and stir well to combine. Add canned tomatoes, saute 1 minute.

Shred chicken into strips and add to saute pan, stir well to combine.

Coat bottom of 9 x 13 pan with 1/4 c enchilada sauce. Dip 4 tortillas in remaining sauce and lay on bottom of dish. Cut 1 tortilla in half to evenly cover bottom of dish. Top with half of chicken mixture. Repeat layer, ending with last 4 tortillas on top. Pour remaining sauce over and top with shredded cheese.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with sour cream, black olives and green onion if desired. Serves 12.

Luscious Lemon Squares

Preheat oven to 350°

Crust
1 c butter, melted
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 c flour

Mix well and press into 13x9 dish and bake 20 minutes.

Filling
4 eggs, beaten
2 c sugar
1/2 c lemon juice
1 T lemon zest
5 T flour

Mix well and pour over hot crust. Bake an additional 25 minutes or until set. Dust with powdered sugar while hot, cut into squares when cool. Yield 20 ~ 3 inch squares.