Recipe: Scrummy Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored

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Before you jump to Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored recipe, you may want to read this short interesting healthy tips about Turn to Food to Improve Your Mood.

Mostly, people have been taught to think that "comfort" foods are terrible for the body and have to be avoided. Sometimes, if the comfort food is a high sugar food or another junk food, this is very true. Other times, though, comfort foods can be totally healthy and it's good for you to consume them. There are some foods that, when you eat them, could improve your mood. When you feel a little down and are in need of an emotional pick-me-up, try some of these.

Make a few trail mix of nuts or seeds. Peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and so on are all terrific for helping to elevate your mood. This is because seeds and nuts have a lot of magnesium which increases your brain's serotonin levels. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical substance that dictates to your brain how you feel at all times. The more of it in your brain, the better you'll feel. Nuts, on top of improving your mood, can be a super source of protein.

As you can see, you don't need to eat all that junk food when you are wanting to feel better! Try several of these instead!

We hope you got benefit from reading it, now let's go back to baked ziti - tuscan flavored recipe. To cook baked ziti - tuscan flavored you need 15 ingredients and 12 steps. Here is how you do it.

The ingredients needed to make Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored:

1. Use of eggplant (peeled, sliced 1/2”).
2. Take of zucchini (sliced 1/2”).
3. Use of plum tomatoes (sliced in half – lengthwise).
4. Provide of red onion (halved – lengthwise).
5. Get of Drizzle of olive oil.
6. You need of Italian sausage (mild or hot).
7. Get of whole, pitted black olives (sliced in half).
8. You need of roasted red bell peppers (chopped).
9. Take of Drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
10. Provide of Pasta - Penne or Ziti.
11. Provide of large jar (32oz) or more, tomato sauce.
12. Get of red pepper flakes.
13. Provide of fresh basil (chopped).
14. Get of fresh shredded mozzarella cheese.
15. Provide of fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped).

Steps to make Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored:

1. Heat grill to medium temperature..
2. Place the first four prepared vegetables on a platter for grilling. Drizzle all the vegetables lightly with olive oil. [A bit heavier with the eggplant].
3. Place the slices on the grill (oil side down) and reduce the grill temp to low – medium. Brush olive oil on the tops. Grill for 7 minutes, then 5 minutes on the other side. [Keep tomatoes to a lower temp side of the grill].
4. Remove the vegetables to a platter, but leave the onion to grill a bit more. Place the sausage(s) on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side. Remove the sausage and onion to a plate and let cool..
5. On a cutting board, slice the grilled vegetables into bite-sized portions. Place them into a large bowl. Add the black olives and roasted red bell peppers. Drizzle the bowl ingredients with balsamic vinegar..
6. On a cutting board, slice the sausage into 1/2” slices. Place these pieces on a plate..
7. Prepare pasta according to package instructions for a slightly al dente firmness. Drain the pasta (do not rinse) and drizzle with olive oil while mixing..
8. Heat the oven to 350 degrees..
9. Take a very large lasagna pan (or deep dish pan) and coat the bottom of the pan with a bit of the tomato sauce. Add the pasta and then the vegetables and spread evenly. Place the sausage pieces on top..
10. Spread the rest of the tomato sauce on top and add a dash of red pepper flakes (lightly) to areas of the sauce. Top the sauce with fresh basil and now the cheese. Place the pan in the heated oven..
11. Bake covered (aluminum foil) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes to brown the cheese. Remove the pan and allow it to cool for 15 minutes. Top with parsley..
12. Use a large serving spoon or spatula to serve. Enjoy with toasted garlic bread and northern Italian red wine..

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