I have one recipe I use that makes a lot and contains meatballs. But when I want to make a smaller amount (maybe about 4 servings), I make the following (very basic) sauce: saute chopped onion (maybe 1/2 cup) and 3 or 4 minced gloves of garlic in 2 Tablespoons of butter. As you saute this add a teaspoon each (I use generous teaspoons and don't measure) of dried oregano, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Sprinkle salt and pepper in as desired. Let this cook until the onions are soft and the herbs are very fragrant. Add 16oz canned crushed tomatoes. I use RedPack or Cento, which I think are thicker than some other brands. Bring this to a simmer and let it simmer on low covered for a while...I'd say at least 10 or 15 minutes. You can eat it over pasta this way, which is delicious on its own, or add cooked sausage and simmer a little longer to let the meat further flavor the sauce. Another thing you can do with the basic meatless tomato sauce involves alcohol: After the tomato, onion, garlic, herb mixture simmers for about 5 minutes, add 1/2 cup of Absolut Pepper Vodka which you've already brought to a boil in a separate pot with a 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer maybe 10 minutes after adding the boiling vodka/pepper. Then add 3/4 cup half & half and 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir well and let simmer a little bit. I like to eat this with pasta that's been boiled with fresh spinach. Sprinkle more parm on top. This is a decadent treat. I love spicey food, and this sauce fits the bill. But even just the basic butter, onion, garlic, herb, tomato mixture is heavenly on its own. The rosemary really gives it a fantastic flavor. Hope this was all clear. - mando

Pat, you can use fresh herbs in just about any recipe that you would use dried herbs in. Some fresh herbs though are added at the end of cooking. Especially something like basil. I like to add a handful or two of fresh basil to a quick tomato, garlic pasta sauce. And you can use fresh basil and fresh oregano in salads. Greek Italian Recipes using fresh Oregano: Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Tomato - Oregano Tarts ====================== Source: Roger Verges Vegetables 1 lb very ripe tomatoes 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 clove of garlic Salt and pepper 1 slice of bread 1/2 lb puff pastry 2 Tablespoons or Capers or 4 oz black olives (Nicoise or Kalamata) - pitted 6 oregano sprigs . Peel and seed tomatoes. Chop coarsely. Put olive oil into a sauce pan or skillet heat, add tomatoes, minced garli and salt and pepper to taste and saute for 7 to 8 minutes. Trim crusts from bread and process into crumbs. Mix crumbs with 2 oregano sprigs. Add to Tomato mixture. Set Aside. Roll puff pastry into a generous 12 inch square. Place on a chilled baking sheet. (may also be made into 4 six inch circles, use a tart ring or plate as a template and cut out) Prick pastry all over, leaving 1/2 inch border unpricked. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and spread a layer of tomato mixture and sprinkle with capers or olives. Return to the oven and bake an additional 8 minutes. If serving as a first course, allow one per person. Or cut the large tart into small squares and serve as an appetizer in the living room. Garnish with sprig of oregano. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Green Bean, Zucchini and Potato Stew (Fassolakia Iadera ======================================================= Adapted from: Krinos Foods (The original recipe called for a large can of tomatoes and did not include garlic or oregano.) Green Bean, Zucchini and Potato Stew (Fassolakia Iadera)This is a traditional vegetable mixture that is often eaten cold, accompanied by hunks of country bread and feta cheese . 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed, halved crosswise 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 8 ounces zucchini, cut into 1-inch-thick slices 8 ounces russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes 3/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh oregano chopped (or dried) 1 14 ounce can of Italian-style tomatoes, chopped. 1/2 cup chicken broth . Heat oil in heavy large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes.Add Garlic and green beans and sauté until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add zucchini, potatoes, cayenne pepper, parsley and oregano. Pour tomatoes and their juices over vegetables. Add chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, stirring frequently, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Can be prepared 1 day ahead -- cover and refrigerate. Serve warm or at room temperature. 6 To 8 Servings

Oh boy! More things to do with corn on the cob! Yum! I think I posted this recipe before in some thread or other, but I'll add mine to this thread. It's the way street vendors in India make it: Spicy Fire-Roasted Corn with Citrus 1T cayenne pepper mixed with 1 1/2 T salt. 4 ears of fresh corn (or more, if you want leftovers for roasted corn salad) One lemon and one lime cut into wedges. Fill a salt shaker with the salt and cayenne pepper.* Shuck the corn and trim ends for corn skewers if you will use them at the table. If it's your first time roasting corn this way, it's a good idea to practice on one ear before committing all to the grill. Brush your hot grill (not the corn) with a bit of oil, and using tongs, place the corn on the grill. Keep an eye on the ears, and turn them occasionally to prevent too much charring in one spot. You do want some browning and a bit of char as the caramelized bits give the corn a wonderful flavor. The corn should be done in approximately 5 minutes, depending upon the freshness and size of the ears. Serve the corn with wedges of lemon and lime and the shaker of cayenne-salt. The diners rub the wedges all over the corn and then sprinkle with the cayenne-salt to taste. * If you have children eating who might be put off by the cayenne, make a second shaker with equal parts of salt and sugar for them to use instead. Leftover Roasted Corn Salad 2 ears leftover fire-roasted corn 4 T lemon/lime juice 2 T honey 1 t salt 1/4 t black pepper 2 cups assorted grated or chopped vegetables. (I like grated carrot, chopped red bell peppers, green onions, diced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, crunchy celery, thinly sliced radishes and frozen peas, but just use up whatever odds and ends your refrigerator or garden produces! I've even added chopped apples or pears at times!) 1/4-1/3 c toasted, roughly chopped pecans, cashews or hazelnuts* 1-2 T minced fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, tarragon or parsley) -optional- Cut leftover roasted corn from cobs into a bowl and then gently scrape the little juicy bits from the cob with the blunt side of a knife into the same bowl. Mix the lemon/lime juice, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk until the honey is completely dissolved. Toss the vegetables with the dressing, and let sit at least 10 minutes for the flavors to develop. If you are adding fresh herbs, toss them in just before serving. This salad is wonderful with any simply grilled meat or fish, and pairs quite well with rice or couscous as a starch. It can also be made hours ahead, although it might soften and the colors might fade a bit if you make it the day before. Sprinkle the nuts on top of the salad before serving. *Toasting the nuts really brings out their flavor. Before chopping, put the nuts into a pan over a medium-high heat. Shake the pan gently back and forth as though you were making popcorn until the nuts darken slightly and become fragrant.

I watched Giada making this while I was riding my exercise bike a few weeks ago. It was very good. Though I eat meat I can go without it for days/weeks - this was a nice no meat meal. I used smoked Gouda instead of Mozarella and skipped the mushrooms since I'm not a big shroom fan. I also used whole grain pasta and skipped the butter and added salt to try to make it a little healthier. Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables 2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips 2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes 2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes 4 cremini mushrooms, halved 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence 1 pound penne pasta 3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade) 1 cup grated fontina cheese 1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander. In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined. Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes. Here is a link that might be useful: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables