Ed read this and said "Spare time? Hello?! It's called going to a movie and lunch. And I was working!" all while laughing. He said, must be nice to go to a movie and get credit for working! Still joking. He likes that y'all are "green enough" (are into recycling) that you don't jab me about using garbarge.

Here are two of my favorites: Chicken Tetrazzini â¢4 cups cooked diced chicken â¢salt and pepper â¢8 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained â¢6 tablespoons butter â¢8 ounces sliced mushrooms â¢1/4 cup all-purpose flour â¢1 cup light cream or half-and-half â¢2 cups chicken broth â¢1/4 cup dry sherry â¢1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese â¢ground sweet paprika, optional Heat the oven to 425ð. Butter a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish. Cook spaghetti or noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat; sauté sliced mushrooms until golden. In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter; stir in flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir until smooth; add chicken broth and cream. Cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened. Add chicken, cooked mushrooms, and sherry; heat through. Place noodles or spaghetti in a buttered baking dish; pour on sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 425ð for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly. serves 8 Baked Ziti 1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce or homemade sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Directions: 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain. 2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes. 3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. 4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted

Spinach is a good option. You also have the option of using fake meat crumbles and fake ham, that you can get in the freezer section or perhaps the fridge section next to the produce, which is where I find that kind of stuff at a lot of markets. You can use one or both. The fake meat crumbles you can get almost anywhere, it's TVP. I like Morningstar Farms brand or Bocca also has this item. My favorite fake ham is Yves brand.

I have made the 2 following crock pot recipes on several occasions. Last weekend both recipes were used for our annual neighborhood party. Both entrees were made at 7 houses. The 56 attendees gave both rave reviews. Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms Slow cooked and savory, this dish is perfect for any night of the week, and is sure to become a staple in your home.–Shelli McWilliam of Salem, Oregon TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Cook: 4-5 hours on low YIELD:5 servings Ingredients * 3/4 pound sliced fresh mushrooms * 1 large onion, chopped * 2 garlic cloves, minced * 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs * 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste * 3/4 cup chicken broth * 1/4 cup merlot or additional chicken broth * 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca * 2 teaspoons sugar * 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1/4 teaspoon pepper * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese * Hot cooked pasta, optional Directions * 1. Place the mushrooms, onion and garlic in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with chicken. * 2. In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, broth, wine, tapioca, sugar, basil, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender. * 3. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with pasta if desired Sesame Pork Ribs Recipe No one ever believes how little effort it takes to make these tender, juicy ribs. The flavor of the lightly sweet and tangy sauce penetrates through the meat as the ribs simmer in the slow cooker. -Sandy Alexander, Fayetteville, North Carolina TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 4-5 hours on low YIELD:6 servings Ingredients * 3/4 cup packed brown sugar * 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce * 1/2 cup ketchup * 1/4 cup honey * 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar * 3 garlic cloves, minced * 1 teaspoon salt * 1 teaspoon ground ginger * 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes * 5 pounds bone-in country-style pork ribs * 1 medium onion, sliced * 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted * 2 tablespoons chopped green onions Directions * 1. In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Add ribs and turn to coat. Place the onion in a 5-qt. slow cooker; top with ribs * 2. and sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender. * 3. Place ribs on a serving platter; sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Yield: 5 servings.