Midwest BBQ Pasta Salad

Here is the recipe everyone keeps requesting!!! I've made it a few times at weddings, showers, parties, etc. So here it is...

1lb dry Garden Rotini
3/4c BBQ sauce
2c chopped chicken (optional)
1/2 c bacon, cooked and chopped--or just use real bacon pieces
1/2 c bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c scallions, minced
1/2 c red onions, julienned
1/2 c cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
salt and pepper to taste
parmesan cheese to taste

Cook rotini according to package directions. When pasta is "al dente" drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking. Drain off excess water thoroughly. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss well. Season to taste with grated parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Serves 6-8

Bacon, Linguini and Tomato Toss

12 slices bacon (use turkey for more healthy option), divided
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans (14.5oz) Italian Style diced tomatoes
1 med onion
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes, optional
12oz uncooked linguini pasta (whole wheat for a healthier option)
1/2 t salt
1 c loosely packed fresh parsley, divided (also optional)
4oz cream cheese (can use the low fat)
1oz parmesan cheese, grated

Slice bacon into 1/4 inch strips. Place into a skillet and cook over medium high heat 8-9 min until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels. Drain skillet leaving 1T bacon drippings in skillet.
Meanwhile, place broth and diced tomatoes in large micro cooker. Microwave, covered, on HIGH for 6-8 min or until hot. Finely chop onion. Return skillet to heat and add garlic and pepper flakes. Cook 10-20 seconds until fragrant. Add onion; cook 2-3 min or until tender. Carefully add broth mixture, pasta, half of the bacon and salt. Simmer, covered 9-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked but still firm, stirring occasionally.
Finely chop parsley, reserve 1T for garnish. Cut cream cheese into cubes. Grate parmesan. Cut grape tomatoes in half, if using. Remove skillet from heat and stir in remaining parsley, cream cheese and grape tomatoes, if desired. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened. Serve with remaining bacon, parmesan cheese and reserved parsley.

Alana's Weekly Menus

Alana's Weekly Menus: I know that now's the time when everyone's getting back into the swing of things with school starting back up and along with that comes Football and fall baseball. That's no excuse to feed your kids through a different drive-thru everynight (guilty of this). I can give you some great recipes and really good hints to make your life a little easier and still have time to sit down and feed your family a good meal. Statistics show that kids that sit down with their family at dinnertime are more likely to talk to their parents about sensitive situations, get better grades, less depressed, and less likely to do drugs and alcohol. All too often family meals are the first thing to get squeezed out of a family's hectic schedule. Even if you're picking up a pizza coming home from dance or football, come home and sit down at the table and eat it together. This is something that your kids will remember and you'll be amazed at how better you'll feel about yourself too!

Sorry, I just had to get serious for a moment. Now, on to some yummy recipes.