Showing posts with label My Own Creation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Own Creation. Show all posts

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cheese tortellini with chicken and broccoli in a red and white sauce


Our Sunday meal today!

Playing with food I had in my freezer.

I’m love using what I have in my freezer to make an easy casserole type meal.










1 quart red sauce
1- 16 to 20oz. Refrigerated cheese tortellini 
1/2 package frozen broccoli florets cooked 
11/2 to 2 cups rotisserie chicken shredded or sliced 
1 cup ***BĂ©chamel sauce
Shredded mozzarella or Italian grated for garnish 

Recipe link below for



Bring tortellini to a boil in slightly salted water. Drain saving some water and boil broccoli in same water for a few minutes. Drain.

In a 13” x 9” baking dish place a few spoons of red sauce (about 1/4 cup) or more depending on how much sauce you enjoy.

Place drained tortellini in casserole evenly. Layer chicken and broccoli and top with more sauce and drizzle with Bechamel and some grated cheese or some shredded mozzarella.

Bake 350° uncovered for approximately 30minutes or until cheese has melted.

Serve with a basic salad with Italian dressing 



Delicious !



Friday, November 10, 2023

Cannoli ricotta cake



I decided to be a bit adventurous and topped it with freshly whipped cream.  

****Note:  for the 9” x 13” pan recipe for a thicker layer of ricotta filling DOUBLE the amount of ricotta FILLING.


Home made butter cake topped with fresh ricotta that  I added vanilla, powdered sugar and mini semi sweet morsels.

Note:  I had this last week at a restaurant and we both really enjoyed it so I used my moms butter cake recipe and my cannoli filling recipe to put on top.  I taste tested yumm!




Recipe link below:




I had been to a local restaurant where they served a cake similar to this so I decided to use my moms recipe for butter cake and my ricotta filling to top it.

Note:  you can top with finely chopped colored nuts for the holidays.

I’ll link the recipes below.



 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

New recipe Chili w vegetables recipe

Today was a day to play with food.






I added my touch to a recipe I had never used before.

My mother in law when she made chili she would add a can of mixed vegetables to hers.  I never cared for it so when I made chili I would make my version of a recipe I used from the first time I made chili and it involved beef, onion salt and pepper, chili powder and tomato juice.  My original recipe:

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2019/02/basic-chili-con-carne.html

New recipe:
I lb. Ground beef
1 medium onion chopped 
2 carrots chopped or sliced
I tsp. Cumin
1tsp. Chili powder
1tsp. Better than bullion beef seasoning****
1/2 cup water***
I stalk celery chopped 
1tsp. Salt
1large can crushed tomatoes 
1 small red or green or yellow pepper ****
1 can dark kidney beans rinsed and drained 







In a Dutch oven pot place a small amount of vegetable oil.
Place carrot,celery,onion and beef, yellow pepper ,salt and sauté until onion is translucent and beef is browned.

Add tomatoes, Better than bouillon, cumin , chili powder, drained beans and chopped pepper.

Cook on low to medium until it starts to boil.  Cook on low slightly covered for approximately 1hour or more.

Because of the vegetables this recipe will need to be cooked on low until vegetables are tender.

Some fresh bread or crackers to sop up the juice.

Tbis chili is meant to be soupy!

Usually chili is topped with shredded cheese but today I put a dollop of sour cream on mine.  Delicious!!




Enjoy!


Sunday, October 22, 2023

Meat sauce with Polenta

New photo 10/22/2023




This is the Polenta I used.







Our family knows polenta as a traditional Italian meal. It's been around for generations..

Today I'm making it and although it's hot outside we don't care because I (we)are craving it.
 It's going to be awesome! 

I know I've said this many times and I am aware that family budgets are tight but check for sales and try hard to buy the best quality of meat that you can afford.  I truly believe quality meat for this sauce makes a remarkable difference it the taste.

Here is today's recipe:

1 lb. ground beef (85%)
1 lb. ground pork (90%)
2 cubes of basil, garlic and olive oil pesto or several cloves minced garlic and about 1 tsp.dried basil

Note:  I make my own blend with my garlic, basil and olive oil and freeze it by tablespoons in ice cube trays but feel free to either buy a good pesto blend(I do not have any nuts in mine) and use a little of it when you cook your meat.

Salt and pepper according to your taste
1 large can Hunts crushed tomatoes
1 large can Hunts tomato sauce
1 small can organic tomato paste
1 small can water
1 15 oz. can organic tomato sauce
1 carrot cleaned and cut into 3 pieces



In a Dutch place a little olive oil on medium heat.  Add ground meats and cook while breaking meat apart into small to medium pieces.  Once meat has started to brown slightly and there is no longer any pink add garlic/basil pesto , salt and pepper.  Keep stirring until incorporated.  Add small can tomato paste and small can water.  Cook and stir until all starts to bubble slightly.  Add mixture to crockpot that is set on high that you have placed crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and carrot. Stir well, cover and cook two hours on high and then lower heat to low and cook for an additional two hours. Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!










Instant Polenta..........It's really good and cooks in 3 minutes.  Polenta is an acquired taste...Most Italians love it. All it is is thickened corn meal.

You can find a box of Polenta at most grocery stores.  The brand I used was was DeLallo
The box has instructions on it and it serves 3  similar to the portion below comfortably.





FYI:  Just a little note from me.  This was the first year I had so much fresh basil so I decided to try using my food processor(you can use a blender too) and using the basil, fresh garlic and olive oil and after blending it all I froze individual tablespoons in ice cube containers.  I had done this before but varied using pine nuts and cheese.  This year with basil so abundant I am good thru next summer.

You may want to next year grow your own basil.  Containers do well and make your own pesto that have so many uses.  You can add more olive oil when making pasta along with a few of these pesto cubes and top with a little grated cheese and you have an easy meal.

From my kitchen to yours,



Original April 2016


Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Lemon garlic chicken



My own recipe for your enjoyment.


2 large chicken breast halves
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 sliced lemon
2 tsp. Garlic granules 
1/2 tsp. Dried parsley
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chicken broth 
****Panko crumbs(about 3 tablespoons to sprinkle over chicken while cooking)

In a small bowl place lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and dried parsley. 

Stir to combine.  Add chicken and turn chicken over several times as to coat it.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While chicken is marinating place butter and oil in a deep frying pan.  Once the 30 minutes of marinading is up turn heat to low medium in pan.  It should start to sizzle slightly but not brown. 

Place chicken in pan.  Top with sprinkle of Panko on each side and brown chicken on each side. Remove chicken and set aside.

 The chicken drippings now will be a little brown.  Scrape pan and add chicken broth and stir.  Add cooked chicken.  Top with a slice or two of lemon and cover.  Turn heat to low , COVER and allow liquid to boil slightly. Cook with cover on about 10 to 15 minutes. Place chicken in serving dish and  drizzle drippings over chicken.  Delish!

I served this with Rice R Roni and sour cream cucumbers.  











Monday, February 20, 2023

Veggie/cheese Stromboli



Update:  still loving this meatless meal.  A side salad would work well to complement this delicious meal.

This is the new format to my blogger posts.  I hope you like the larger pictures, new colors and different font!  I like to change my cover now and again to brighten things a bit.

This all veggie and cheese easy Stromboli should especially please the non meat lovers.  I made this using  refrigerated pizza dough.  Delicious! You can substitute other veggies if you like but the spinach really helped make this meal wonderful.  Serve with marinara sauce on the side..





Yummy! I/29/14



Take pizza dough out of package and layout on greased cookie sheet.  Place cheese and then add spinach and roasted red peppers..Roll like you would a nutroll.  Pulling toward you gently after each 1/4 inch or so roll.



Add some warm marinara on the side to dip.


1 pkg. pizza dough spread out
1/2 pkg. cooked spinach saute' with oil and garlic and cooled
1/2 bottle drained roasted red peppers cut in pieces(pat to remove oil)
8 oz. brick or mozzarella cheese shredded
4 oz. American cheese shredded

Set oven to 400 degrees.  Spread out pizza dough on greased cookie sheet..Place cheese first, then spinach and red peppers on top..

Roll from widest end to look similar to a nut roll shape. Rub a little olive oil on top and then sprinkle with crushed rosemary and a bit of pepper. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until dough is slightly browned..

Cool approx. 10 minutes and slice.





7/12/12
4/2/13
11/8/19

Friday, February 17, 2023

Italian style stuffed meatoaf(shortcut)

This is a great recipe that I have made for many years.  I make it with homemade bread stuffing but my mom made it with Stovetop stuffing.  Both methods are delicious.


1 lb. Ground Beef
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup breadcrumbs 
1 small onion grated 
1tsp. Parsley 
1/2 cup milk
I tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
****1 package stove top stuffing made according to directions.( great shortcut method)

1 jar Rao jar marinara sauce

****Italian blend cheese for topping

Mix boxed stuffing gently until all stuffing is moistened. Set  aside.

Mix ground beef  with eggs, parsley ,breadcrumbs, onion, salt, pepper and milk.



Lightly spray a 9”x13” pan. Spread stuffing evenly in pan.  Place beef mixture on top of stuffing in pan .

Cover with sauce , then top with cheese.  Bake 350 ° approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour uncovered.


Serve with a side of spaghetti or to cut back on carbohydrates a green salad.






Monday, January 23, 2023

Potato Gnocchi, My way!!

Recipe rewind!

One of my favorite blog posts.


 FYI:  One of my Italian favorite recipes is Gnocchi.  I'm proud to be Italian 50% Italian.  Ha ha it's true.  I'm a blend of two 100% Italian grandfathers and a 100 % Slovak grandmother and 100% English grandmother.  A good combination!

  I spent a great deal of  time with my grandparents so I am blessed to combine a lot of my recipes using what I remember they used and am able to create really delicious meals. 

Note:  I have included a few of my pictures of my grandparents.  

One of Dad's favorite dishes.

  8/4/14 I shared this post for the first time. 

From my kitchen to yours,

Grandma and Grandpa
Nana and my daughter






My mom and my m-i-l put their potatoes through a ricer to make gnocchi but I’m decided to give it a whirl and try my mixer to mash the potatoes to see how light they’d be.  Took a taste test on a few to make sure the combination was what I was looking for and they turned out delightful.. I want to share my recipe and pictures with you…


Ingredients:

8 medium russet potatoes (baking potatoes, peeled and cut in medium cubes)
1 tablespoon salt
1 large egg
3 + cups Pillsbury Pre Sifted Flour


Put potatoes in large pot and salt water.. Boil until tender (fork will go right through center)
Take off heat and drain thoroughly in large colander
Mash potatoes with hand held potato masher until potatoes are breaking down.  Next Using electric mixer beat on medium and then high speed until all potatoes are mashed thoroughly.    Do this while potatoes are still hot.  (You could use food processor but I used mixer just to see if it would accomplish the task).  It worked fine..



 Transfer potatoes to large bowl and cool potatoes completely after mashing..(I cover slightly while cooling).  When cooled add 1 egg and slowly while working with your hands add 1 cup at a time of flour at a time until a large ball forms..(I have picture examples on blog).






Cover large ball of dough( Set aside) Slice in sections to make a long tootsie roll like piece of dough.. Add a little flour if needed to  have dough not stick to cutting board.. Cut in pieces and score with fork..(Picture will demonstrate..)  Cook immediately in large pot of boiling water until gnocchi comes to surface.  Stirring now and then to make sure they don’t stick to bottom of pot…

Using a medium strainer ..scoop gnocchi out and place on a platter that has some sauce on it.   Add gnocchi and top with sauce.  Serve with Red or white sauce.. 

I use Red Sauce and top with grated Pecorino Romano Cheese.. 

 9-4-2011
11/2/13 
6/7/14
1/23/24