January 4, 2012- Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells are a classic in my (Becca's) family. It is one of the first things I started making when I really got good at cooking. They are quite simple to make. I mix ricotta cheese with some seasonings and some mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. I buy a tomato basil pasta sauce. Then it is all about the stuffing and layering. You stuff your shells with a good amount of the ricotta mixture. You also should put some sauce on the bottom of the pan you are using. You also want to put a generous amount of sauce on top. And top your shells off with both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. I bake my shells for about 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. And voila you are done! Shells pair nicely with a simple side salad and a nice glass of wine :) Also some good company! We had ours tonight with Nick's parents. We also made a gingerbread molasses cake from Trader Joe's. It turned out really delicious and we served it with some whipped topping. We served it warm and it was soo good! Yum! (no picture, sorry!)

December 27, 2011- Cheese Pizza and Mushroom and Cheese Pizza

Cheese Pizza and Mushroom and Cheese Pizza

Well tonight we are having two different kinds of pizza so we have lots of pizza left over. My mom really likes when we make this mushrooms and cheese pizza and we like to make it for her so we decided to have it tonight. Tonight we had a special helper in the kitchen, my brother, Acusio. It was fun watching him and Nick cook. I got a little but of a break (only had to grate parmesan). If you want the directions for the Cheese and Mushroom Pizza you can look at December 11, 2011. Hope everyone has a great night! It is good to be home :)

December 17, 2011- Tomato Mozzarella Packets

Tomato Mozzarella Packets

This is a dinner that comes from Vegetarian Times magazine. We have to make the polenta ahead to make sure it is firm for when it goes into the oven. We decided not to make it in foil packets and instead make it in ramekins and other glass dishes to save some foil. We did cover all the glass dishes with foil to make sure it was still covered to replicate the packet process. So you cut up the polenta, we did cubes. You then use fresh tomatoes that are diced. You drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sprinkle some herbs and some mozzarella cheese on the top. It is a really yummy and can be a simpler meal if you buy already made polenta from the store. But I think making homemade polenta is much more delicious.

December 11, 2011- Cheese and Mushroom Pizza

Cheese and Mushroom Pizza

This is a really yummy homemade pizza that we love to make. We buy a whole wheat pizza dough in the bag from Trader Joe's (the kind you have to roll out). They used to sell a pizza sauce on the shelves but have been out for a while. They have this other sauce in the refrigerator section and we have been using that. We then buy their shredded 2% mozzarella. We buy some white or cremini mushrooms. We always sautee the mushrooms in some olive oil and garlic for a little bit first. You bake the pizza crust for about 5 minutes first and then put everything on top and finishing baking it for about 6-7 minutes more and it is done! Yummyness! We already ate half the pizza...