PA Live: Easy Recipes for Busy Moms

MFHS Nutrition Education Coordinator Laurie Waskovich was back in the PA Live kitchen yesterday cooking up some healthy, fast, mom approved recipes for the new year. Watch the video now on PAHomepage.com and then try out these healthy and delicious recipes below.
One-pot Pasta Primavera
This is easily customized with your favorite in-season veggies or different types of pasta.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
8 ounces linguine, uncooked
1 small onion, halved and sliced thin
1 pound broccoli crowns, cut into large florets (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 pounds asparagus, ends snapped off and cut into 2-inch pieces
4 ounces sliced white button mushrooms (about 1 cup)
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (less for milder heat; more to increase heat)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 small handful fresh parsley, chopped (about 1/2 cup chopped)
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
Additional salt and pepper to taste
Additional Parmesan cheese for serving, if desired
Instructions
Add the broth, linguine, onion, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to a large pot set over high heat. Drizzle the olive oil over the top.
As soon as it comes to a boil, set the timer for 7 minutes and start tossing constantly with long-handled tongs.
Continue boiling and tossing. As soon as the 7 minutes is up, add the peas, parsley, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan, and lemon zest and continue cooking, tossing constantly, for 1-2 more minutes, until the pasta and veggies appear tender. Remove from heat.
Note that much of the liquid will have evaporated, but not all. And that’s okay! Let the pasta sit for a couple of minutes to cool; the sauce will continue to thicken during that time. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese
 
Healthy No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
3 tablespoons skim milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/8 cup wheat germ ( heaping)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground flax seeds (optional)
1 cup quick oatmeal
Directions
Heat milk, sugar and cocoa powder over high heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
Take off heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter; stir until peanut butter has melted completely.
Stir in wheat germ and oatmeal.
Drop by large spoonfuls onto wax paper or eat immediately.
*This recipe is VERY flexible. If you don’t have wheat germ or flax seed, just use more oatmeal. The recipe above should work out just perfectly and does most of the time, but if your cookies come out crumbly, use less oatmeal next time. If they never set, use more oatmeal next time.