No Leftover Baked Ziti

The original recipe came from the Food Network but this is how I made it:

One pound ziti, cooked al dente

1 1/2 jars Testa's Marinara Sauce (this is made locally, so you will have to use 4 C of a really, really good marinara sauce)

1/4 C freshly grated pecorino romano cheese

1/2 C freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided

1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese

cut half of the mozzarella into small cubes and mix with 1/4 C parmesan and the rest of the ingredients

pour into a slightly oiled baking pan

slice rest of mozzarella into thin slices and lay over top of ziti

shake remainder of parmesan on top of all

bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until slightly browned

* The key to this recipe is the quality of the ingredients. Yes, this would be yummy with regular cheeses and some other jarred sauce, but sometimes you want something really special. This is it.

Bean Soup That Smells Delicious While It Cooks

One pound dried beans, pre-soaked (used small white this time)

Ham bone or leftover ham

2 quarts water

One large onion, chopped

1 C chopped celery, more or less

1 tsp salt

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp rosemary

Simmer on stove about 2 hours or in crock pot on low for 8 hours

This Week's Menu:

Monday: take the youngest clothes shopping, buy groceries for week, clean bathrooms (yea, right, I'll get all of those things done in one day)

Pasta! Night!

This should be interesting...pasta with fried bologna (gotta use it up - leftover from camping), peas, alfredo sauce.

salad with iceberg lettuce that's been sitting in fridge for 3 weeks, cucumber from garden, celery, and garden tomatoes

Tuesday: take the daughter and friend's daughters to the mall day (includes driving all over the state and getting exhausted and spending mega bucks on lunch out for everyone), clean kitchen (bwahaahaa).

Parents choice: chicken & millet burritos (Family Circle), frozen veggies that are good for you from BJ's.

Kids: help yourself to popcorn chicken, pizza bites, whatever, ItookyoutothemallandI'mnotdoinganythingmoreforyoutonight.

Wednesday: youth night, therefore do I really think I will make this fantabulous meal and put it in the oven to keep warm? We'll see...

grilled marinated pork chops

mashed potatoes

zucchini

maybesomecarrotstickssothekidswilleatavegetable

Thursday: piano until 5 pm, therefore something I can pick up at the store and make relatively quickly:

hamburgers (use rolls that are in the freezer) with sauteed onions & mushrooms (adults - what-do-you-think-my-kids-will-eat-that?)

corn on the cob

green beans

Friday: move the oldest into the dorm day!!! Pizza?

Saturday: go to nephews birthday party. sister in law better feed us. (she will)

Sunday: church and court of honor

crock pot chicken soup (made with chicken in the freezer)

rolls, if I take them out in time to thaw/rise

Another week done. Phew.

This Week's Menu:

Friday: Chili Beans with Rice

green beans

salad

Saturday: spaghetti

salad

garlic bread

Sunday: crock pot chicken

peas

zucchini

egg noodles

Monday: hamburgers

macaroni salad

corn on the cob

Tuesday: grilled sausage

potatoes

cole slaw

green beans

Wednesday: refrigerator/freezer potluck (whatever we can find!)

Thursday - Saturday: camping! (no menu yet)