ROSEMARY BUTTER KNOTS

And old-school, but definitely a goodie. Simple biscuits transform into delicious, garlicky twisted knots of rosemary perfection. Geez, could I have used anymore adjectives?

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tube fridge biscuits  

• 1/4 stick butter

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary

• Kosher salt

• fresh black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 400

2. Roll each biscuit into 10 - 12" stick, tie a knot and tuck ends underneath

3. Place on nonstick oiled baking sheet with 2 - 3" spacing, bake according to packaging

4. While cooking, heat small pan on low heat, melt butter add garlic, black pepper and Rosemary

5. When cooked, paint knots liberally with butter while still hot

6. Garnish with pinch Kosher salt

WATCH SAM MAKE THIS >>> 

PUMPKIN MAC AND CHEESE

This nice and easy switch up from the norm, will have the whole family coming back for more. With the added bonus, of the nutritional benefits, pumpkin is rich in Vit A & K and packed with fibre.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound pasta - elbow, curly, penne – it’s up to you
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 7 tablespoons butter, divided (means you"ll just use it at different times)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup white cheddar, shredded
• 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin puree - be sure it's not pumpkin pie filling
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water - about 1 minute less than directions
3. While the pasta cooks, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium sized pot, add onions and garlic and cook over medium heat until softened - about 5 minutes
4. Add 4 more tablespoons of the butter and when it melts sprinkle flour over the top then whisk in to make a thick & relatively lump-free paste
5. Stir in the milk until smooth and slightly thickened – then add in the Dijon, both cheeses, pumpkin, cayenne & salt & pepper
6. Stir well until you have a rich, thick & beautiful sauce - then add drained pasta and combine well - place into an oven proof dish
7. Melt the remaining butter in a non-stick pan, add breadcrumbs and mix well to coat - add to the top of the macaroni
8. Put in the oven and bake 30 minutes or until golden brown & serve

WATCH ME MAKE THIS

BAKED PENNE

Dear Hungry family, fear not, this recipe is super easy and made from basic pantry ingredients, so you can whip this up and have it on the table in under 30 minutes.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb penne pasta, cooked al dente
• 1- 28oz can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 12oz can tuna in oil, drained
• pinch Kosher salt
• few grinds freshly ground pepper
• 5oz ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In large pot on medium heat, add tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cook for 5-7 minutes
3. Mix ricotta and tuna into sauce, cook for 2 minutes, stir in cooked pasta
4. Add this to oven proof dish, sprinkle over parmesan, cook for 30 minutes

WATCH SAM MAKE THIS >>>

Teriyaki Mushroom Mushroom Burger

Makes 4 burgers

I shot a show at the San Diego Zoo – wait, make that ‘world famous’ San Diego Zoo.  I felt like cooking with anything 'meat' would have been in poor taste and my sister in law Cheryl suggested I make something with Portobello mushrooms cuz they taste meat-like but aren't.  So I did…and I loved it and you will too.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound sliced mushrooms
• 4 Portobello mushrooms, the big guys right?
• Olive oil
• 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 4 whole wheat buns
• 8 slices Monterey jack cheese
• 2 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into 8 slices
• Mayo

DIRECTIONS

1. Put sliced mushrooms in a pan and cook over medium heat until softened – add teriyaki sauce, mix and turn off heat
2. Heat grill to medium/high
3. Lightly oil Portobello’s, place on grill & cook 3 - 4 minutes on each side until softened, add 2 slices of cheese to each mushroom – and put the buns on the grill
4. While cheese melts and buns toast – heat the teriyaki mushrooms
5. On the bottom buns once toasted, put some mayo and a little teriyaki and mix, top with tomatoes, Portobello’s and then the sliced mushrooms and the top bun