Mozzarella Sticks

Who doesn't love mozzarella sticks? I couldn't tell you the last time I enjoyed the delicious appetizer. Noble Pig, a website favorite of mine, posted a recipe similar to this one but using won ton wrappers, unfortunately not a GF food. However, I was able to find Vietnamese spring roll wrappers that substituted very well! Trader Joes makes a block of soy mozzarella cheese that is one of my favorite cheeses. Combine that with pepperoni, roll it in a spring roll, pan fry and serve with a side of marinara sauce! Yum!

Ingredients:
Mozzarella Sticks
- Blue Dragon Spring Roll Wrappers
- One block of Soy Mozzarella Cheese (from Trader Joes)
- Pepperoni Slices (3-4/stick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Marinara Sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 large splash red wine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup onion
- Seasonings: oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper

Marinara Sauce Recipe:
I sauteed the onions in olive oil until lightly browned and added the can of tomato sauce. I added one to two large splashes of red wine and the seasonings and let simmer while I prepared the mozzarella sticks, stirring occasionally.

Mozzarella Stick Recipe:
I sliced the block of mozzarella cheese into 6 1/4" slices while letting the olive oil and wok get hot. I placed one spring roll wrapper in the shallow tupperware filled with hot water for 10-15 seconds until completely soft. Once soft, I placed it on the large plate, put the mozzarella slice in the middle and the 3-4 pepperoni slices on top.  I crossed one side of the wrapper to the other, tightly against the pepperoni, folded up the ends and then rolled it to close the wrapper. Next, I placed it in the wok until all slides were browned and repeated.


Easy and delicious!

We enjoyed ours with a salad and glass of Pinot Nior! 

Quinoa with Chunky Tomato Sauce

Most gluten free pasta stinks.  I said it and I stick by it.  But gluten free substitutes can be fricken awesome!  Quinoa provides a great hearty taste and is quite easy to prepare.  So tonight, we went with a chunky tomato sauce, turkey sausage and quinoa.  Once again, we went with a spicy tomato sauce similar to the pizza sauce we made, just with a few more fresh veggies.



Thick cut onions, peppers and tomatoes started out in olive oil and Italian spices with a splash of red wine.  Then came the turkey sausage chunks and tomato sauce.

Throw it over the quinoa and voila!

Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion chopped
1 large bell pepper (we used orange) chopped
1 large tomato chopped
1 turn of olive oil
Basil, oregano, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, black pepper
1 cup of turkey sausage crumbles (cook according to package directions)
14 ounces of tomato sauce

1 cup quinoa (cook according to package directions)

Recipe
Saute the vegetables over medium heat with spices.
After the vegetables have softened, add a splash of red wine and the sausage (cooked), allowing to cook for about 5 more minutes.

(At this point, it is a good idea to start the quinoa, giving the sauce enough time to cook.)

Add the tomato sauce to the veggies, throw in some more spices and cover, cooking over low heat until the quinoa is done.  Again, remember the salt to counteract the sweetness of the canned tomato sauce.