Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

• Salt
• 8 pieces jumbo pasta shells
• 1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese (can use reduced fat or skim)
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 1 pound mozzarella, grated
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 6 leaves fresh basil, torn 
• 1 cup shredded Asiago
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, Crushed
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Egg Beaten

Directions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 
• Add pasta and cook according to the directions on the package for Al Dente.   Drain pasta and cool.

Filling: 

• Combine ricotta, with 1/2 of the other cheeses (Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmasiano.) Add parsley salt, pepper, and egg to the cheeses and stir to combine.

Sauce:

• Over moderate heat add oil, garlic and onions. Saute onions and garlic 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper ( I like to add a little red pepper flakes for an extra kick).
• Simmer sauce 5 minutes and stir in basil leave. 

• * If you have a little Marinara Sauce or prefer Meat sauce, that can ALSO be used.

Assemble:

• Pour a little sauce into the bottom of a shallow medium sized casserole dish. 
• Fill shells with filling  and arrange them seam side. 
• Top shells with remaining sauce and remaining cheeses. 
• Cook 6 to 8 minutes uncovered, to melt cheeses , or till you see the sauce bubble.

 **Feel free to get inventive with these.  I have added spinach, ham,  to the cheese filling, filled with meat, added a layer of sliced Italian sausage to the bottom of the pan, etc.  Get creative, and ENJOY!!! (BTW.  They freeze WONDERFULLY, I usually make two or three pans and freeze for later..)



Lisa C. . . . .

Tips for Cleaning Linens

Found @ Colorado Lady

Lisa C. . . . .

Italian Bread Dip

 

Ingredients:


4 fresh garlic cloves
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 small bunch fresh oregano
1 small sprig fresh rosemary
1 cup fresh basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese






Fresh ground sea salt to taste

Directions:


Place all ingredients together in a small food processor.
Pulse in the food processor until the mixture becomes well mixed.
Sprinkle a bit of the mix onto a small plate.
Drizzle olive oil over the mix.
Dip big pieces of fresh bread into the oil mixture.

Lisa C. . . . .

Chicken Teriyaki

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup lite soy sauce
3 tbsp prepared spicy brown mustard
1 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 sliced thin medium onion
1 cut in half garlic clove
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 skinned boned chicken breast halves, each about 4 oz

Directions:

In medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mustard, sugar and ginger;
set aside.

In large, nonstick skillet, over high heat, toast sesame seeds until golden brown, about 4 minutes; remove from pan and set aside.

In same skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil until soft, about 5 minutes, if desired, discard garlic clove halves. Add chicken and soy sauce mixture to skillet. Cover and simmer, turning chicken over once, until chicken is cooked through.

To serve, place chicken on platter, pour sauce and vegetables over chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Garnish with scallion fan.

Lisa C. . . . .

Stromboli

 

Ingredients

• 2/3 c shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese .
• 3 oz turkey pepperoni .
• 2 roasted red peppers, sliced .
• 3 oz prosciutto ham .
• 1 (10 oz) can put in the fridge pizza dough

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 and spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
• On a lightly floured surface, press pizza dough into a 9x12 rectangle.
• Top with mozzarella, leaving a 1/2 to 1 inch border.
• Top with prosciutto, pepperoni & sliced roasted red peppers.
• Roll up jelly-roll style, seal the edges & place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
• Bake at 375 for about 25 mins or until golden.
• Serve with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping.

** Again creativity is the key... I've made mine with mini meatballs instead of prosciutto and peperoni, I've also made it with cubed ham and cheddar.. Yummmmm ... You know your guests, and what they're into..

Enjoy

Lisa C. . . . .