A few yummies for Monday

Here are a few yummy recipes for your Monday. The first up is basically ravioli in a crockpot. Now, I know that ravioli with sauce is not that hard to make at dinnertime. But if you need a recipe that you can literally throw in one pot (instead of 3) and walk away, this is it.


Items needed :
1 bag of frozen ravioli - any kind
1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
2 T italian herbs fresh or dried more or less for your tasting
a couple handfuls of mozzerella cheese
crockpot

Throw it all in and set to high. Leave it for about 2 hours.


Here are some tips or variations
* you can always use canned tomato sauce that you have made or a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce from the store.
*Remember that the ravioli needs a little sauce/water to help it cook so over estimate with the sauce
*after about 2 hours, stir it carefully the ravioli are tender and will break apart easily.
* I LOVE real mozzerella but if I can't use that then I use the other mozzerella in the bag cheese isle

It was a good meal with little prep and nothing got hot in the kitchen which, right now, is a huge bonus!



The next recipe is for a DIY Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade.


I am hooked on these and really look forward to one anytime I have the chance. They are refreshing and have a tropical flavor to help whisk you away on those hot midwest afternoons! Here is how I make it at home:


Items needed:
Tazo Passion Tea (these are usually at Starbucks but I found mine at Nature's Grocers)
Lemonade mix (you could make your own lemonade from scratch as well, it makes this drink out of this world :) )

I boil a quart of water on the stove. Once it boils, take it off and steep 6 - 8 bags of the passion tea in it for about 4 mintutes. It makes this beautiful dark pink colored tea that smells heavenly!! While that is steeping, mix up 1 quart of lemonade in a 2 or 3 quart pitcher, following the directions on the lemonade mix jar. Remove the tea bags from your tea, carefully! Then pour the tea into the lemonade you have waiting in the pitcher. I like to taste at this point. If you like things a little sweeter either add some sugar, honey, or agave. I load a glass up with lots of ice and pour. Sit back with a good book and enjoy!


I don't make this often because the tea is expensive and I would literally drink it all in one day. But it is nice to have on hand to brighten a day when life gets a little crazy. Happy Monday!