Baked Ziti and the snack monster

Today was my second day of work and it went really well. I figured out all of my computer issues and started reading up on my first project! I can't wait to dig in!! I must say, I really enjoy my new office because there are lots of amenities. Two of my favorite freebies at the new office are a water cooler (yayy cold water) and a really funky coffee machine that makes all sorts of different flavors.

I went to the gym again this morning, so my afternoon was pretty free! I came home and put together a new routine for Turbo Kick tomorrow. Unfortunately, I also was a snack monster this afternoon! I was longing for dinner, but was waiting for Josh to complete his gym trip for the night before I ate :( For dinner tonight I made a little bit of an indulgent dish- baked ziti. I pulled the recipe from this wonderful blog.

Ingredients
10 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan or romano shredded cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 egg
1 lb ziti pasta (I used whole wheat)
1 jar tomato sauce

Directions-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring large pot of water to boil, add
pasta & boil for about 3 or 4 minutes, not too long, just to get it a
little cooked. Drain.

Blend together (using hands, spoon, spatula, whatever you have around)
ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella,parm, spices and
egg.

Pour about 1/3 of the tomato sauce into the bottom of the glass pan,
and add 1/2 of the pasta. Spoon 1/2 of ricotta mixture on top, being sure to spread it out
evenly to cover the pasta. Pour another 1/3 of the tomato sauce on top, add the rest of the
pasta, spreading evenly, and then the final layer of the ricotta
mixture. Pour the final layer of tomato sauce, and spread the rest of the
mozzarella generously on top.

Cover with aluminum foil & bake for about about 45 minutes. Remove
foil, and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until cheese is
browned around the edges & bubbling.

First day/salads and delicious quick bread

Thank you all for the well wishes on my first day of work :) Things went ok- there was a little mix up with my training, so I won't be fully trained and ready to roll until next week....but I got my computer and all that jazz setup today, so that was good! After work, I went to Josh's softball game. They played really well! We came home and I made a quick wheat bread recipe. I miss the yeast bread, but I just haven't had the time lately to make any. In any case, this wheat bread was a delicious substitute!

Oatmeal Whole Wheat Quick Bread
Inspired by this recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 4-5 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Grind oatmeal in a food processor or blender. In a large bowl, combine oatmeal, flour, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, dissolve honey in vegetable oil then stir in the milk. Combine both mixtures and stir until a soft dough is formed. Move dough into a greased (I sprayed with pam) baking dish (bread dish, whatever you've got!).
   
3. Bake in preheated oven for about 25 minutes (check with toothpick)
   

My salad with the bread: