This savory pasta is packed with ooey gooey cheese, a rich pork sauce, and satisfying cavatappi noodles. Its an easy inexpensive family friendly dish. 

Ingredients: 

16 ounces cavatappi noodles

8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

4 ounces shredded parmesan cheese 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 pound lean ground pork 

Lavender Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

2 cups tomato sauce

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

6 springs fresh basil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions: 
In a pot of salted water, boil your pasta until slightly under done, about 6 minutes. In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm your oil. Add your pork and heat until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes). Add your lavender salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook for an additional 30 seconds. Then add your sauce, italian seasoning, and basil. Stir until combined. Grease a 9x13 pan and pour your noodles into it. Then cover the noodles with the sauce and mix. Then cover with both the parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden, about 20 minutes. You can top with additional basil leaves if desired. 

This is a quick, no brainer meal that will leave everyone in your family happy and with a full tummy. Enjoy!

There is a wonderful authentic Vietnamese joint in my town that sells the most delightful bahn mi sandwiches. My husband has been wanting me to recreate these at home for some time but  I'll admit, I was intimidated. Today I finally decided to make his wish come true and wow, are these sandwiches good! I'm kicking myself for not trying to make them sooner! 

6-8 hoagie type buns

1 carrot, julienned 

1 diaikon (carrot sized), julienned 

1 cup vinegar

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons salt

1 pound lean ground pork

1 pound lean ground beef 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 small onion, diced 

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 large tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

2/3 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup hoisin sauce 

1 cup oyster sauce 

Black pepper

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Chopped cilantro as garnish 

Simmer your vinegar, salt, and sugar together in a sauce pan until sugar is dissolved. Combine your carrots and diaikon in a bowl and cover them with the vinegar mixture. Allow the mixture to marinate for at least one hour. 

Add your oil to a large deep skillet and soften onion. Add your garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute. Add 1/2 a cup of the vegetable vinegar liquid and simmer for an additional minute. Add your stock, hoisin, oyster sauce, and pepper. Allow sauce to reduce for 10 minutes. Add your beef and pork and break it up into peices and cook it through (about 7-8 minutes). 

While your meat cooks place your rolls in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes to crisp up. Slice down the center without cutting them into 2 pieces. Fill with meat, top with the pickled vegetables, cilantro, and peanuts. 

This is such a flavorful and memorable sandwich. You will love chowing down in flavor town. Enjoy!