Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad with Spinach

Hi we're having a heat wave in San Dimas, Ca and when the temps are over 100 I just don't wanna heat up my oven cuz it's too darn HOT! so I make a lot of pasta salads which my family loves most the time!! this was truly an experiment which my pickiest eaters loved!!

Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad with Spinach

Ingredients:

2 cups left over ham cut into cubes without fat ( cut all of it off)

8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 pkg. of Schar gluten free penne pasta! cooked and cooled

3 handfuls of fresh baby spinach

Zesty Italian Dressing Target brand

Directions:

Cook pasta, follow directions on package, drain with cold water, until it is cool set aside.

While pasta is cooking, cut fat off of ham and cube it and put it in a large salad bowl.

Cut cheese into cubes, put the cheese in salad bowl with ham.

Add fresh washed spinach to salad bowl with ham and cheese.

Add pasta to the rest of ingredients.

Add Italian salad dressing and toss lightly serve immediately. or put covered in refrigerator until really cold. Tastes better the next day.... be sure to make enough for leftovers!!!

Whew! I'm exhausted!! serves 4-5!! Enjoy!!

Chicken a La Julie:

8/22/11

Hey Gang, It has been a busy few months for me!!! I really apologize for not sharing my life through my recipes. I am preparing for a bariatric surgery before the end of the year. They have many hoops to jump through with lots of Doctor's clearances...I am happy to say that I passed my first Stress test which for me was a major accomplishment in exercise and God's help!!

Ok, so I am only writing down dishes that my family really likes and last night they couldn't get enough of!

Chicken a La Julie ( hubby's title)

Ingredients:
5  fresh mushrooms, sliced and pieced
1 Orange bell pepper, seeded, sliced and slices cut in half
1 Red bell pepper, seeded, sliced and slices cut in half
4 handfuls of fresh spinach, washed
5 stalks of green onions, sliced in 1/4 inch slices
2-13 oz canned chicken, drained and chunked
2 jars of bertolli Alfredo sauce
1 pkg of gluten free spaghetti noodles, cooked
Pam spray
Olive Oil
Ground black pepper

Directions:
spray large saute pan with Pam
Cut up all veggies except spinach put in saute pan, add olive oil to pan.
Cook until peppers are tender and spinach is wilted.
Add canned chicken and ground peppers, cook through.
Add Alfredo sauce cook through until bubbly.
Serve noodles separately for portion control.

Serves 4-5 people!