Meatball Stuffed Shells

21 jumbo pasta shells

frozen Italian meatballs, 2 per shell, don't have to be thawed

16 oz. ricotta or cottage cheese

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

2 T. dried parsley, optional

1 egg

24 oz. jar marinara or spaghetti sauce, divided

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9x13 dish. Cook pasta s directed on pkg. Drain and cool. Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and 1 c. mozzarella cheese. Stuff shells with cheese mixture and 2 meatballs. Place a layer of sauce in bottom of dish. Place shells in sprayed dish. Top with spaghetti sauce. Add remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly. I served with Caesar salad, fresh fruit, and garlic bread. Yum yum!

1st pic: boiling pasta. (Did you know that if you put a wooden spoon across a pan of boiling water it won't boil over? That's an old trick my grandmother taught me.)

2nd pic: stuffed shells in baking dish. 3rd pic: sauce poured over shells. 4th pic: cheese over shells before baking. 5th pic: after baking. 6th pic: ready to eat!

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Cookie Lasagna

5 mini bags vanilla wafer minis, or use regular size vanilla wafers

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/3 c. sugar

8 oz. cool whip, thawed

1/2 c. cherry preserves

1 can cherry pie filling

Line a loaf pan with vanilla wafers. Beat cream cheese and sugar together. Beat in cool whip. Spread half over wafers in pan. Stir preserves to loosen them. Add in dollops over cheesecake mixture. Spread gently. Add another layer of wafers. Top with rest of cheesecake mixture. Pour on pie filling. Place in refrigerator overnight. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

7-Minute Frosting

1 c. sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. cream of tartar

2 egg whites

3 T. water

1 t. vanilla or almond extract

food coloring, optional

Place all ingredients, except vanilla/almond extract in 3 qt pan.  Turn stove on to low heat. Beat using electric mixer constantly for 7 minutes or until the frosting is fluffy and forms stiff peaks. Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring, if using. Add vanilla or almond extract. Spread over cake and decorate as desired.

Maraschino Cherry Cake & Frosting

2 1/2 c. SR flour

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened (1 stick)

3/4 c. milk (whole, evaporated, or buttermilk)

1/4 c. maraschino cherry juice

1 t. vanilla

2 t. almond extract

4 egg whites, unbeaten

1/2 c. chopped maraschino cherries (around 15-18), blotted dry with paper towel

1/2 c. chopped pecans, optional

Buttercream Frosting*:

4 c. powdered sugar

4 T. butter, softened

1 t. almond extract

8 T. cherry juice, or milk, for spreading consistency

1-2 drops red food coloring, optional

*Optional Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

3/4 c. butter, softened, (12 T.)

1/4 c. maraschino juice

2-3 c. powdered sugar ( I used 2 1/2 c.)

1 t. almond extract, optional

1-2 drops red food coloring, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray desired pan(s). Combine flour & sugar. Add butter. Combine milk, juice, and extracts. Pour into flour bowl and and beat with mixer for 2 minutes until blended evenly. Add egg whites and beat 2 more minutes. Fold in dry cherries. Pour into 2, 8" rounds pans, 2, 9" heart shaped pans, 1, 9x13 pan, or 1 bundt pan. Bake in oven accordingly: round or heart shaped pans for 25-30 minutes, 9x13 for 45 minutes, bundt pan for 55-60 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick. Cool in pan(s) for 10 minutes before inverting onto plate. Combine all ingredients of frosting and spread on cooled cake. (more chopped cherries could be added if desired, just make sure they are dry, or use to garnish cake.) I made it in a 9x13 pan with cream cheese icing.

**other fruits can be used instead: red raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, etc...just make sure they are all dry before adding to batter.

1st pic: before baking; 2nd pic: after frosting; 3rd pic:  ready to eat!

Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. sugar 

1 1/4 c. light brown sugar

2 large eggs, cold

2 1/2 t. vanilla

3 c. SR flour

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. toffee bits

sea salt, for topping, optional

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Add flour. Beat until just combined. Add chocolate chips and toffee. Scoop 2 T. mounds of dough onto baking sheets, spacing 2" apart. Bake 9-12 minutes. Rotate pans half-way through baking, until they are slightly crispy  around the edges and barely set in the center. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. (Top with sea salt before completely done cooling, if desired.)

Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi with Broccoli and Chicken

1 T. oil

14 oz. diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic, drained (I didn't drain)

16 oz. gnocchi, uncooked

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 t. Italian seasoning

1/2 t. paprika, optional, (I used sweet onion & bacon seasoning)

1/4 t. salt 

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 c. heavy cream

9.5 oz. broccoli, (I used steamfresh)

7 oz. chopped artichoke hearts, drained, optional

1/4 t. red pepper flakes*

1 t. thyme, optional

grilled chicken breasts,* * (I used frozen grilled chicken strips, cooked), or shrimp would be good too!

Heat oil in medium heat large skillet. Add tomatoes, uncooked gnocchi, garlic and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle with salt and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and cream. Bring to a boil. Stir everything well. Cover with lid. Simmer 5 minutes on low. Add broccoli and artichokes. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for 5 minutes, until broccoli is done. Add seasonings*, I just put them on the table. I served with grilled chicken breast or tenderloins, Caesar salad, and bread. **or add cooked chicken to the skillet before putting on the table. This will help the entree go further too.         

1st pic: cooking gnocchi, tomatoes, garlic and seasoning. 2nd pic: added heavy cream and chicken broth, then broccoli. 3rd pic: ready to eat!

                                   

                                               

                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Strawberry Bread #2

4 c. fresh strawberries, (2 c. sliced, 2 c. pureed)

1 T. sugar

3 c. + 2 T. SR flour

2 c. sugar

1 t. strawberry extract

3/4 c. oil

1 t. cinnamon, optional

4 eggs, beaten

1 c. chopped pecans, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 2 loaf pans. Combine strawberries with 1 T. sugar. Stir to coat. Combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well. Add oil, eggs, and strawberries. Blend until just moistened. Stir in pecans, if using. Divide into pans. Bake 45-50 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely before serving. 

Baked Tortellini with Sausage

1 T. olive oil, to cook sausage in

1 lb. ground sausage, mild or medium, browned and drained

2-3 carrots, chopped

2-3 stalks of celery, chopped

1 yellow onion, minced

3 large garlic cloves, minced

25 oz. tomato sauce

15 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 1/2-2 c. chicken broth

2 c. chopped broccoli

1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

finely chopped parsley, optional

Cook celery, carrots, onions, and garlic in bottom of large skillet. Add cooked sausage. Add 1 c. chicken broth and everything else to skillet. Simmer and cook for 5 minutes to cook tortellini. Add remaining broth, add lid, and leave on low heat. Add broccoli and cook until it's done. Top with mozzarella cheese and place in 375 oven for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is nice and melty. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top and chopped parsley, if using. Serve with garlic bread and Caesar salad.  

 

Crockpot Meatball Tortellini

1 1/2 lb bag of Italian meatballs**

2 c. beef broth**

14.5 oz. can Del Monte diced tomatoes with garlic, basil, and oregano

12 oz. evaporated milk

18 oz. cheese tortellini, thawed or frozen*

20-24 oz. spaghetti sauce, your choice flavor (I used Bartolli mushroom)

2 c. shredded Italian cheese, plus more if needed

Spray or place liner in crockpot insert. Combine all ingredients* in crockpot, and stir well. (*If tortellini is already thawed, do not add to crockpot yet.) Cover and cook on low 4 hours. At 4 hours, add thawed tortellini and cook another half hour. Top with additional cheese before serving, if desired. I served with Caesar salad, garlic bread, fresh fruit salad, and dessert. 

**This can also be made with cubed chicken with chicken broth.

If the meatballs/chicken are frozen, cook for 6 hours. Add tortellini during last half hour, unless frozen, than add during last hour.

Pan-Seared Steak with Garlic Butter

2 lbs. sirloin steaks (1 lb. per steak, 1 1/4" thick)

1/2 T. olive oil

1 1/2 t. salt

1 t. pepper

2 T. butter

2 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered

1 sprig fresh rosemary, optional

Thoroughly pat steak dry with paper towels. Just before cooking, generously season with salt and pepper. Heat pan/skillet until hot, then add oil over medium high heat, swirling to coat pan. Once the oil is hot, add steaks to skillet. Sear the steaks on each side (about 4 minutes each side), until a brown crust forms. Use tongs to turn the steaks on its side to render the white fat and sear the edges (1 minute per edge). Reduce heat to medium and immediately add 2 T. butter, garlic, and rosemary to the pan. Spoon the butter sauce over the steaks, tilting the pan to get butter in the spoon. Continue spooning the sauce over the steaks for a minute, until steak reaches 5-10 degrees from desired doneness. (The temperature will continue to rise 5-10 degrees while steaks rest.) Transfer steak to cutting board, loosely cover and rest 10 minutes, before slicing into 1/2" strips to serve. Spoon extra butter sauce over steak to serve. 

*Doneness Chart:

Medium-Rare: 145 degrees

Medium: 160 degrees

Well-Done: 170 degrees

I served this with a baked potato with toppings, chopped broccoli, and a Caesar salad.

1st pic: steak on paper towels; 2nd pic: garlic butter steak resting; 3rd pic: ready to eat. Yum!

Chicken Tortellini with Broccoli

1-2 lbs chicken tenderloins, cut into 1" cubes

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 1/2 t. Italian seasoning

1 t. McCormick's sweet onion bacon seasoning

2 T. all-purpose or Wondra flour

1 T. butter

2 T. olive oil, divided

1 shallot, minced, I used Easy Onion (1/2 c. = 1 medium onion)

4 cloves garlic, minced, I used Easy Garlic (1/2 t. = 1 clove)

1/4 t. red pepper flakes

1 can Del Monte diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano

6 oz. can tomato paste

1 can chicken broth

1 1/2 lbs cheese tortellini

1 c. heavy whipping cream

2x16 oz. bags broccoli, chopped

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Place cubed chicken in large ziploc bag. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, & McCormick seasoning. Seal bag and toss to coat chicken. Add flour and toss again until lightly coated. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add butter & 1 T. oil. When it is hot, add chicken in a single layer. Cook chicken, tossing a couple of times until browned and cooked through. Remove to a bowl or plate. (Placing inside the microwave will keep it warm until you are ready for it.) Add remaining oil, garlic, onion, and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Saute for 3 minutes, stirring often, until soft and fragrant. Season with red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt & pepper. Add tomato paste & broth. Stir to combine, scraping yummy bits off bottom. Stir in tortellini, bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to remain a low simmer. Cover and let simmer 3-4 minutes until tortellini is cooked. Stir halfway through to make sure it is cooked evenly. Remove lid and add chicken, chopped broccoli, cream, and Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined. I served with a Caesar salad and garlic bread. This was a big hit! Husband and son went back for 2nd helpings!

1st pic: McCormick seasoning; 2nd pic: chicken cooking; 3rd pic: sauce and tortellini cooking; 4th pic: broccoli, parmesan, and remaining ingredients added; 5th pic: ready to eat!

Phyllo Dough Apple Turnovers

1/2 c. butter, melted, divided

3 medium apples, your choice--I used Honey Crisp, diced into 1/2" pieces

1/3 c. + 1 T. brown sugar, packed (I used dark)

1 1/4 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. nutmeg

1 t. ginger 

1/2 t. salt

1 T. fresh lemon juice

1 t. vanilla

1 T. cornstarch

1 T. cold water

6 sheets phyllo dough

powdered sugar, optional

vanilla ice cream, optional

Thaw phyllo as directed on package. Keep in refrigerator until ready to use. Melt 1 T. butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add apples and stir to coat. Add vanilla, lemon juice, brown sugar, *cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger* and salt. Stir occasionally and cook 6-7 minutes until apples begin to soften. Whisk together cornstarch and water. Pour over apples. Stir and cook another 2-3 minutes until apple mixture thickens.Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before using. Melt remaining butter in a cowl. Take out a pastry brush, sharp knife or pizza cutter, and clean damp kitchen towel. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375. Place one sheet of phyllo dough horizontally on a large cutting board or kitchen counter. Brush sheet evenly with melted butter. Keep the remaining dough covered with a damp, but not too wet, towel. Add another sheet and brush evenly with butter. Repeat one more time. Cut phyllo sheets in half, and half again. You should have 4 eual pieces. Place 1-2 T. apple filling in the bottom of one piece. Fold the bottom left corner over the filling to meet the right edge and form a triangle shape. Continue folding and keeping the triangle shape as you fold (Like folding a flag) Place the triangle seem side down on the baking sheet. Repeat until you have 8 turnovers. Brush each with melted butter. Bake at 375 for 18-21 minutes, until crispy and brown. Allow to cool slightly before sprinkling with powdered sugar or serving warm with ice cream. YUMMY!

*I used apple pie spice instead

1st pic: apples cooking; 2nd pic: damp tea towel on phyllo; 3rd pic: phyllo with melted butter; 4th pic: phyllo cut in half; 5th pic: filling the phyllo; 6th pic: brushed with butter and ready to bake; 7th pic: baked and ready to eat!; 8th pic: served with sea salt caramel ice cream.