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Dad’s Manicotti Recipe

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My father, who’s no longer with us, always tried out different recipes on us kids when he was on vacation from work. Truth be told, some recipes were really, really bad but this recipe for Manicotti became a family favorite. This homemade Manicotti recipe is a meal that your family will likely rave about and request for years to come. This recipe is for cooks who really cook with love for their family, because it requires some “hands on” work.

Dad's Manicotti Recipe

Ingredients

1 8 oz box manicotti shells for stuffing (cooked al dente)
1 jar marinara sauce
1 12 oz package shredded mozzarella
1 Jimmy Dean Sage sausage roll
1/2 pound lean chop meat
1 large onion finely diced
1 32 oz container whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a large saucepan, on medium high heat, add onions, sausage and chop meat. With a large spoon or spatula mince meat together with the onions. You want no large chunks of meat. The mixture is done when the meat is brown and the onions are translucent. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Next, in a large mixing bowl add ricotta cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix ingredients until well combined. Now, add 1/2 package of shredded mozzarella to the mixture. Mix everything together gently until smooth. Then add cooled meat mixture to the bowl and blend that as well.

Manicotti Recipe Mixture

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Now, with a very small spoon or a small tipped piping bag, carefully fill your manicotti pasta. It’s important to hold and stuff each shell carefully to ensure they don’t tear. When you’re done filling a shell, place it on a large deep dish baking pan. Lay them close to one another, like this:

Stuffed Manicotti

Manicotti Recipe

Pour desired amount of marinara sauce on top of the filled shells then sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 30 minutes. In the last 5 minutes of cooking remove foil and turn temperature up to 375 degrees to allow cheese to slightly brown on top. Serve with a side salad.

Thanks for this delicious Manicotti recipe Dad, and also for being a father who provided for and took care of his children, teaching us how to do the same for ourselves. We love you!!

Dad's Manicotti Recipe

Posted by Lorraine

Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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Sweet potato pie is a traditional pie recipe that most enjoy baking during the holidays. There are many different versions of this recipe that vary depending on your geographical location, but this particular recipe is of southern (American) origin. All that you need is a few key ingredients, spices and of course fresh sweet potatoes. This recipe for southern sweet potato pie will yield 1 pie and feed 4-5 people.

 

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1″ round slices
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

In a 5 quart pot add water and bring to a rapid boil. Carefully, add chopped sweet potatoes, cover and allow to boil. Preheat oven to 350*. Potatoes are ready when they are fork tender. Turn heat off, remove potatoes from boiling water and place in a large mixing bowl. Now add butter and mix with a fork until butter is completely melted. Then add all other spices and mix with a mixer on low speed. Now add 1 egg at a time and blend well. Add both types of sugar and blend until mix is smooth. Slowly add evaporated milk and blend. Taste mixture for flavor and sweetness.

Pour the mixture into a frozen pie crust. Place your pie on the middle rack of the oven and allow to cook for 45 minutes. (For a crispier pie crust, bake at 300* for 5 minutes until light golden brown).

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy your southern sweet potato pie!

Posted by Lorraine

 

Image courtesy Flickr/F_A

Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine

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This recipe for chicken parmigiana with linguine is great for lunch or dinner. In fact it tastes even better the next day! You probably already have all the ingredients you need. Put it over linguine or on a soft Italian hero (bread). So let’s get started!

 

Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine Recipe
Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts (or thighs) sliced in half so that they’re thinner (marinate for at least an hour in Italian dressing)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
2 8oz cans of crushed tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (contains basil and other Italian spices)
1/2 block of mozzarella cheese (shredded)
4 large garlic cloves finely chopped
1 box of cooked linguine or 4 soft heroes

Instructions

Begin by taking the chicken breasts and lightly pounding it with a meat tenderizer. Then put the cans of tomato sauce in a pot on medium heat and add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt to taste and allow the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.

Next, in a bowl add bread crumbs, oregano, parsley and salt. Combine well. Then shred your mozzarella and set it aside. Bread chicken on both sides and place it in an oven safe frying pan that’s been coated with your olive oil. Let chicken to fry until golden brown on both sides. Remember that chicken breast cooks fast, so don’t over cook it.

Place your oven on 375. Cover the cooked chicken with plenty of tomato sauce and then add your shredded mozzarella cheese. Place pan in oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve over linguine for dinner or on hero bread (best for lunch).

Enjoy this delicious recipe for Chicken Parmigiana with Linguine.

Posted by Eve

3 Healthy Side Dish Ideas for Thanksgiving

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It’s usually toward the end of the year that most people start to gain weight. That’s because of all of the holiday festivities that involve rich, delicious food. Instead of saving your “get healthy” resolution for New Year’s Eve, why not just omit or change some of the foods that cause the pounds to get added on during the holidays? Here are some healthy side dish ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

 

Thanksgiving Turkey

Sweet Potato Instead of Candied Yams

A lot of people enjoy candied yams as a side dish, especially for Thanksgiving. The problem is that it is made with yams, marshmallows, butter and brown sugar. All of these ingredients will help to pack on unwanted pounds. Instead, try baking a sweet potato and sprinkling it with cinnamon, nutmeg and a small pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil for a healthier option.

Baked sweet potato

Mashed Potatoes with Chicken Stock

A lot of people enjoy mashed potatoes with their turkey at Thanksgiving. The only issue is the amount of carbs and salt that come in your “famous mashed potatoes.” Try something different (and healthier) this year by substituting the milk or cream, butter and salt with a good quality low sodium chicken stock. It will add tons of flavor to your mashed potatoes and be a much healthier option.

Greens Flavored with a Turkey Wing

What’s a Thanksgiving dinner without collard, turnip and/or mustard greens? People generally use a greasy pork ham hock to flavor their greens. Try substituting the ham hock with a smoked turkey wing or two. It will still give you lots of flavor, while making your greens healthier for you and your family.

Mustard Greens

Give these healthy side dish ideas for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners a chance — you might be very surprised at the results (and rave reviews). Plus you might inspire others to try healthier foods in the year to come.

Remember that the most important ingredient in a delicious dish is LOVE. Put plenty of that in your pots this holiday season.

Posted by Eve

Photo credits: Flickr/thebittenword, Flickr/Keegan Berry, Flickr/Gloria Cabada-Leman,

San Cocho Stew Recipe

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This is a very tasty and delightful Latin American Stew. The flavors are sure to explode in your mouth. It all begins with the base for your stew called Sofrito. It is a combination of onions, peppers, tomato sauce, garlic, adobo, Sazon and fresh cilantro. Even though this recipe for San Cocho Stew calls for chicken and/or pork, you can feel free to use the meat of your choice.

San Cocho Stew

Ingredients

1 lb chicken pieces
1 lb pork neck bones
1/2 bush fresh cilantro
1 yellow plantain peeled (cut into 1/2″ pieces)
2 medium potatoes (chopped coarsely into chunks)
1 medium yuca peeled & cut into 1/4″ pieces
2 whole ears of corn (cut into 1/4″ pieces)
5 large cloves of garlic (peeled)
1-2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon Goya Adobo
2 low sodium chicken bullion cubes
1 pack of Sazon
1medium onion chopped into 1/4’s
1/2 large green pepper
1/2 large red pepper
1 small can of tomato sauce (unseasoned)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Thoroughly wash chicken pieces and rinse neck bones. In a large stew pot on medium high heat add 4-6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, add meat, lower heat to medium and let simmer covered for 30-45 minutes (or until meat is fork tender). Meanwhile prepare your Sofrito by placing cilantro, adobo, chicken cubes, onions, green pepper, red pepper, garlic cloves, tomato sauce, Sazon, and olive oil into a large food processor. Pulse on high for 30 seconds. Set aside.

Now, add yuca, potato, corn and plantain to the pot. Add the Sofrito mixture to the pot. Stir and bring pot back to a boil for 15 minutes or until yuca is fork tender. Serve in a large bowl with a large lime wedge to be squeezed into each portion and a few pieces of diced avocado.

We hope you enjoy this San Cocho Stew Recipe!

San Cocho Stew

Posted by Eve

Homemade Salsa Verde

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Homemade salsa verde is a great topping to put on chicken, pork or steak. It can even add flavor to tacos or wraps. If you are a fan of Mexican cuisine, this recipe is a must to try at least once. You can find tomatillos with the husks on at any Spanish American supermarket. It only requires a little preparation and the leftovers store very well in the refrigerator (keep it in an air tight container).

Homemade Salsa Verde

Ingredients

10-12 large tomatillos (outer husk removed) & cut in half
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large jalapeño (chopped coarsely & deseeded)
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/2 lime (juiced)
6 medium garlic cloves (peeled)
1/2 bush of fresh cilantro (bottom stalk cut & discarded)

Instructions

Place a fry pan on medium high heat and add oil. Cut tomatillos in half and place on pan flesh side down. Allow tomatillos to brown for approximately 3-4 minutes. Turn each half over and allow them to cook and brown on the skin side. Now, in a food processor add garlic, jalapeño, cilantro and salt. Pulse for 1 minute. Then, add 1/2 of the tomatillos and blend until smooth. Add remainder of the tomatillos to processor and pulse until small chunks are present. Taste for salt. Lastly, pour lime juice over salsa and gently stir together.

Enjoy your homemade salsa verde!

Posted by Eve