Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

This is enough to make 2 9 x 13 pans, I like to make one for dinner and one for the freezer.

2 boxes of uncooked shells (I think the ones I bought were kind of smallish, I stuffed about 6 of them, if you buy the gigantic shells, you will obviously need less)
3 c fresh chopped spinach
1/2 onion, chopped
1 container ricotta cheese (about 16 oz)
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened (I used the low fat, nufatel stuff)
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 Tb dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (26oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce (any variety)

Cook shells according to package directions, drain and set aside. Be sure to stir them occasionally so they dont stick together.

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and 1 cup of mozzarella. Dont put in the spaghetti sauce. Spoon cheese mixture into shells. Spread half of spaghetti sauce into baking dishes. Arrange shells over sauce then top with remaining sauce and a little cheese.

Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.

Bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Makes 8-10 servings.

If you make one for the freezer, dont bake it. Cover it tightly with foil and freeze, it will last about 2 months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, take it strait from the freezer and put it in the oven. 350 for about 2 hours.

Knock off Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

I got this recipe from Rachels blog.

They are the best I have ever made, and she is totally right...the saigon cinnamon makes a difference! I could eat these til I am sick, they are so good.
This makes 16 large rolls- two 9" x 13" pans full.

"Cinnabon" Cinnamon Rolls
2 c. warm milk
1 c. sugar
2 T. yeast
3/4 c. butter (room temp)
2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
6 c. white flour
2 c. whole wheat flour
Combine everything in an electric mixer (kitchenaid, bocsh, etc) and knead for 10 minutes. Let sit with the lid on and rise until it reaches the lid (this might take 45 minutes to an hour), then knead the dough for a minute or 2 and roll out on floured surface.

Filling:
2/3 c. butter (room temp)
Spread the butter onto the rolled out dough.
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
--mix together then add:--

1/3 c. saigon cinnamon*

1/4 c. flour

Mix the sugar, cinnamon and flour together and sprinkle/spread over the butter.
Roll up Jelly-roll style and mark 16 even marks for the cuts on the roll. Cut out 16 pieces and put 8 in each 9" x 13" greased baking dish. (Two 9" x 13".)
Let rise until doubled and bake in 375 degree oven for 22-25 minutes. The tops will be brown. Frost while warm.

Frosting:
1 c. butter (room temp)
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 c. (4 oz) cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
blend thoroughly and then spread over warm cinnamon rolls.


*Or another high quality- don't use the generic that is just labled "ground cinnamon", this makes a big difference. I buy mine at Costco: $3. for a large container.

Fry Bread

We were in such a hurry to scarf these down, I didnt get a picture. It is from here


1 1/4 cups water
3/4 T salt
3/4 T baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups flour

combine in bowl and let rest for 1 hour. Divide into 8 pieces and roll flat. Fry in hot oil. Makes 8.

Serve topped with beans, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, or any of your favorite toppings. Go meatless by leaving out the ground beef and using beans as your main component. You wont even miss it!

After eating dinner, smother the left over fry bread in butter and top with powdered sugar! YUM!

Whole grain carrot muffins

Dont let the ingredient list fool you. These muffins are soft and moist and sooooo delicious! Healthy and homemade can be good!


Whole grain carrot muffins

1 cup fresh ground wheat flour (I used a mixture of soft white, buckwheat and spelt. I think any whole grain will work fine here)
1 cup white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 cup coconut oil (you could use canola or vegetable oil)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup 9 grain cereal (or oats)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 cups shredded carrots

Combine all dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. You could also add raisins or nuts to the batter.

Bake 350 for 25 minutes. Makes about 18 muffins.

If you have extras, they can be frozen and taken in lunches or as a snack on an outing.

Spiced Banana Topping

3 T. orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
1 t. sugar
sprinkle cinnamon
sprinkle nutmeg
3 sliced bananas
2 T butter

combine everything except bananas. Stir well and heat thru until combined well. Add bananans and heat til warmed thru, just a few minutes. Serve over pancakes.

I have made this a few times and added different amounts of all the ingredients each time. It is not a scientific recipe, just add what you have to the pan, it will taste good. I have omitted the butter before and the sugar, you could opt to do that if you wanted.

Buttermilk Syrup

I usually dont have buttermilk on hand. Mixing milk and lemon juice will do the trick if you dont have it either.

This stuff is delicious and a million times better than any syrup you buy at the store. It has a totally different taste and color than regular pancake syrup, but such a good replacement. Thanks for the recipe Shari.

BUTTERMILK SYRUP

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp lemon juice
(if you have buttermilk, use it instead of the milk and lemon juice)

mix milk and lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes

Combine butter, sugar, milk and lemon juice mixture in sauce pan. Bring to a boil stirring frequently. When it begins to boil, remove from heat. Add vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will foam when you add the soda, so be sure to use a big enough pan.

Mix well and cool a bit. Serve over pancakes, waffles, ice cream. Extra can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks.

Gingerbread Pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 t ginger
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
3 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup milk
2 tsp lemon juice

mix milk and lemon juice and set aside. measure and mix all dry ingredients together. Stir in wet ingredients. Add milk and lemon juice mixture to batter.

Cook on griddle. Serve with spiced banana topping or buttermilk syrup...YUMMM!