Meat Stuffed Manicotti

I LOVE pasta!  Any kind, any way, I love pasta!  I have been making this recipe for several years...maybe longer, and it's very simple.  It's stuffed Manicotti.  My stuffed Manicotti is very simple.  I have very picky eaters, and believe it or not, my husband nor my son, likes cheese!  I usually have two separate baking dishes...one for ones stuffed with meat and cheese and one with just meat.

Here is my version.  Feel free to change this up, make it your own.  I sometimes like stuffing my Manicotti with spinach as well.

Ingredients: 

1 box Manicotti pasta

1 can or jar spaghetti sauce

ground beef or ground sausage (you can also use ground turkey)

shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese

*In a large pan, boil Manicotti as directed on package, but cook 5 minutes less.  You want your pasta al  dente' so your pasta won't fall apart when stuffing them later. Don't forget to salt your water!

*Drain Manicotti in strainer and allow to cool.  

*In same pan, brown your ground beef, sausage or turkey.  Drain the fat from it.  Add your spaghetti sauce    and mix well.  Reserve a little of the mixture to place on top of pasta.

*Begin stuffing each Manicotti with the mixture.  I like to use a small spoon, so as not to tear the pasta and to

  make it easier to get the filling in.

If you want to add cheese, add your remaining meat mixture on top of pasta...don't worry, it doesn't have to totally cover your pasta and then add your shredded cheese. 

Place your baking dish in the preheated oven and bake approximately 20 minutes or until top is bubbly.  The pasta is already cooked as well as the meat mixture.  You only need to leave it in the oven, long enough, to heat all the way through.

What are some of your favorite dishes?  What recipe would you like to see for Foodie Friday?

Foodie Friday

Today, I am starting a theme...A Foodie Friday Theme.  Each week, on Fridays, I want to incorporate some type of food or beverage recipe, with a possible side dish suggestions to pair up with your meal.

Today's Foodie Friday recipe is Southwestern Chops.  Excellent side dishes: Garlic Mashed Potatoes and salad of choice ( I prefer Caesar-to keep it on the light side).  

Ingredients:
4-5 Pork chops ( I like the thin, fat trimmed)
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can black beans
small chopped onion
1 can rotel or diced tomatoes w/green chiis
1 Tbs Chili Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Lime juice

Start by trimming your Pork chops, if not already trimmed.  Place in chops in crock pot.  Empty the cans of whole kernel corn and black beans into the crock pot.  Add The chopped onion, Salsa and all the seasonings to crock pot and mix around on top of the chops. Cook on Medium heat for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until chops are done to your liking.

Top your chops with a few drops of Lime juice and enjoy!  Simple and Easy!

Sunday's Gumbo Dish

Sunday's are one of the days I enjoy cooking!  I don't work on Sundays, therefore, it's MY day to do the cooking.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love to do the cooking, making new and old recipes.  I will tell you though, when I'm in the kitchen, that's my domain!  Yes, stay out of the kitchen when I'm cooking (yes, I'm actually smiling at this)!

When I cook, I have to be focused and "in the zone".  One little distraction, then that little "zone" is gone.  But, with the Sunday meal I made last night, that isn't the case.  There's quite a bit of prep that goes into Gumbo, and this time, I decided to chop my celery, onion and garlic BEFORE I started my roux.  This made it easier to do other things, such as chit chat, while my gumbo was cooking for the remainder hour and half.

So, here is the Gumbo recipe,  ENJOY!

Spicy Seafood Gumbo

1 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Onion, chopped

4 Ribs of Celery, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

4 Cups of broth

1  can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)

1 pkg frozen okra-sliced and thawed

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1-2 TBS hot sauce

2 large Bay Leaves

1/2 Cup minced Parsley

1 tsp Thyme-dried

1 tsp Basil-dried

1 tsp Sage

1 tsp Pepper

1 lb Shrimp, peeled (I use the frozen and remove tails)

1/2lb to 1lb polish sausage, sliced

hot cooked rice

File powder (optional)

Combing the flour and oil in a large pan or Dutch Oven.  Cook over Med-Low to Medium heat 20 minutes, stirring constantly.  Roux should be a nice caramel brown to almost a dark brown color.  DON'T SCORCH!  Stir in onions, garlic and celery and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Stir often.  Add broth, tomatoes, okra, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, bay leaves and other dried spices.  Simmer for 1 1/2.  Stir Occasionally.  Add sliced polish sausage and cook additional 10-15 minutes.  Add Shrimp and cook another 10-15 minutes.  

NOTE:  When using frozen shrimp, I normally add this to the very last, 10 minutes of cooking, only because I don't want the shrimp to cook down to itty bitty. 

Healthy Breakfast...or lunch

As we start of the New Year, many of us are focused on eating healthier and starting a new exercise program.  I, myself, have a hard time keeping New Year's resolutions, but instead of making resolutions, I've decided to set goals.  I've decided to take one day at a time, do the best I possibly can and don't beat myself up if I fall off the wagon.

I am a big fan of "The Kitchen".  "The Kitchen" is a show on the Food Network Channel that I watch faithfully, which shows you different recipes (healthy, holiday, easy, etc.). They have tips, tricks and answer questions and always end it with It's 5:00 somewhere, with a drink made by Geoffrey Zakarain.  Cast members include: Geoffrey Zakarain, Jeff Mauro, Katie Lee, Sunny Anderson and Marcela Valladolid.

Marcela made this easy and yummy looking avocado meal that can be for breakfast or lunch.  It's healthy, easy and gives you your protein, carb and good fats.  Here is what it consists of;

Whole Wheat bread - 1 slice toasted
avocado
juice of a lemon
boiled egg, sliced
drizzle of olive oil
sea salt
chia seeds

Now, I didn't have the Chia Seeds, but you can omit these if you don't have any.  First, toast your slice of bread. Next, cut the avocado in half, working around the pit. scoop out the flesh of the avocado and apply part of it to your tasted bread.  Season avocado with sea salt. Place your sliced boiled egg on top of the avocado and drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil and juice of half a lemon.  Season a little more with sea salt if needed.

I tried this for breakfast, this morning, and it was WONDERFUL!

Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler Dessert

It's been awhile since I've posted a slow cooker recipe.  Now, since it's that time of the year, when you want a delicious sweet comfort food for the winter, this slow cooker Apple Cobbler will sure be a hit.  Top the Apple Cobbler with whipped cream or better yet, Vanilla ice cream and you'll have a dessert your whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients:
4 cups, cored and sliced
Sugar
Lemon juice
Cinnamon
biscuit dough
Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped topping

PREP TIME: 35-40 minutes
COOK TIME: 3.5 hours

Start by coring and slicing your apples.  Place them in a bowl of lemon juice to prevent browning. (this is optional, but it will keep your fruit looking fresh and pretty).

Toss your apples in some sugar and cinnamon, to sweeten them up a bit.

Place the apples into your slow cooker and cover with the biscuit dough.

Turn your slow cooker on low.

Cook for 3.5 hours or until fruit is bubbly and dough is done.  DO NOT uncover the pot for at least 2.5 to 3 hours.  The steam and  heat is what cooks the cobbler.  

Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or whipped topping.