Recipe: Pasta with Quick Cream Sauce, Penne with Peppers, Pasta with Lemon and Basil, Pasta with Fresh Herbs and Ham, Spanish Omelets, Chicken Wraps - Are these recipes for you Sherry or for the new mother?

Even though I might appear biased, my best advice is to use the crockpot. You might assemble a nourishing main dish completely before going to work or the night before. Then, put it in the crockpot on Low and when you return, serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes or white rice.

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MAKE AHEAD PASTA WITH QUICK CREAM SAUCE

Another idea is to boil sufficient pasta, penne, rotelli, spaghetti, etc. Divide the cooked pasta in portions and freeze. When you need them, reheat it in the Microwave oven with a rapidly prepared sauce of chopped parsley, 1 chopped garlic clove and olive oil (a few tbsp). Then mix that pasta with a store bought sauce and some heavy cream and Parmesan Cheese. Serve with a green salad.

Here are additional very quick & nourishing pasta recipes:

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PENNE PASTA WITH MULTI-COLORED PEPPERS

12 oz. penne pasta
1 1/4 cups olive oil
1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 green pepper, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup basil leaves plus a few for garnish
20 small Ni oise or Kalmata olives, pitted
salt & freshly ground pepper

Cook the pasta according to the pasta directions. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Cool at room temperature.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saut pan, add the pepper slices and cook for about 10 minutes. Great Drain them on paper towels and reserve.

Put the basil and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Add the rest of the olive oil, salt and pepper and puree. Pour the basil "sauce" over the pasta and toss. Add the reserved peppers and olives and toss together. Divide the penne/pepper salad among 4 plates and garnish each with reserved basil leaves.

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PASTA WITH LEMON AND BASIL
Serves 4

12-oz capellini or linguine
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup cream
1 egg yolk
3/4 cup basil leaves, cut in half lengthwise
salt and freshly ground pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and keep warm.

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan, creamed egg yolk until well combined. Pour the cream mixture over the pasta and toss to coat well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

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PASTA TOSSED WITH FRESH HERBS AND HAM

1 lb. pasta (like spaghetti, linguine, cappellini)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup chopped Virginia ham or prosciutto
2 large garlic cloves, very finely minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to directions on the package.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ham, garlic, and herbs and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes.

Drain the pasta and pour it into a warm shallow bowl or pasta dish. Spoon the ham/herbs mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss lightly with two forks. Serve immediately.

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WORLD'S BEST SPANISH OMELETS

You will need:
Eggs
Salsa
Cheese

Beat eggs until they are lemon colored, almost creamy looking. Add 2-3 drops of water and beat some more.

In a small saut pan, melt butter to cover the bottom, or spray with your favorite cooking oil. Pour egg mixture into hot pan. Cover and let cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Eggs will be puffy. Flip over. Turn down heat to the lowest possible setting.

On half of the egg, place some cheese and salsa. Fold in half. Place salsa and more cheese on top. Cover. Turn off heat. Let cheese melt.

Serve with your choice of sausage, bacon, toast, biscuits & honey, fruit .etc.

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VERSATILE CHICKEN WRAPS
These quick and flexible wraps are an easy way to satisfy a multitude of different tastes without going crazy!

Cut up chicken pieces (1 breast makes 2 or 3 good sized wraps)
McCormick Fajita Seasoning
Flour Tortillas
Any combination of the following ingredients:
-Shredded Mexican, Cheddar, or Mozzarella Cheese, or american
-Salsa
-Shredded Lettuce
-Diced tomato
-Refried Beans
-Guacamole
-Jalepeno Slices
-Sour Cream
-Bacon
-Sliced Black Olives
-Sauteed Green Pepper
-Sauteed onion slices
-Avocado Slices

Sprinkle chicken with McCormick Fajita Seasoning. Saute chicken until cooked through. Or if using leftover chicken, warm through.

Warm the tortillas. Layer choice of ingredients on tortillas. Roll and eat. Great served with fresh fruits as a side.