December 30, 2011

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

August 21, 2011

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.

August 5, 2011

This Week's Menu:

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)