Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells with Ricotta, Asiago, Mozzarella & Cottage Cheese

Satisfying four-cheese stuffed shells, bursting with ricotta, Asiago, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Use your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce--meatless or not.

Ingredients

6 uncooked jumbo pasta shells

1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese

1/4 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 cup 4% cottage cheese

1 tablespoon minced chives

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, Asiago cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, chives and 1/2 cup spinach (save the remaining spinach for another use).

Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce into a shallow 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drain pasta; stuff with cheese mixture. Arrange in prepared dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce and mozzarella.

Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 2 servings.

Turkey, Mushroom, & Spinach Lasagna and Toasted Oatmeal, Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Roaring Branch, Kelleystand Road, Sunderland, VT.

Saturday, oh, Saturday. A cold Saturday. I've been spending today like I usually spend my Sundays (or BumDays, as I call 'em.) I did spend some time up on Kelleystand earlier though.  It was windy and being by the river didn't help with the chill, but I did notice the leaves on the trees revealing bits of brighter hues.  It's safe to say I'm getting Fall fever. I've even been thinking about how to carve my pumpkins this year.  Here's some of my inspiration:

Also, the aroma of pumpkin spice lingers in my house already thanks to Walmart. They have 3oz jar candles for $1.00. I only went by the candles with the intention of "just smelling" them. I bought ten; nine pumpkin spice, one hazelnut cream. I've also had my eye on the wax warmers they now have at Walmart. The owl wax warmer is my favorite.

Owl Wax Warmer

Normally on a day like this, I might throw something together in the crock pot. That's not happening today. Not only is there enough chill in the air to make me appreciate the heat of the oven, but I crave the comfort of a well-prepared lasagna. But not just any lasagna. This one. A lasagna so good you would never know it was healthier. 

Turkey, Mushroom, & Spinach Lasagna

And for dessert?  

Toasted Oatmeal, Pecan, & Chocolate Chip Cookies

With a nice, big glass of milk.

p.s. If you head over & like our Facebook page, you'll be entered to win a handmade crocheted blanket from your choice of colors. Only valid in the U.S. at this time. Drawing will be held when our Facebook likes reach 200, so please like & share!

Mom’s Baked Chicken & Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb. pasta (I used whole wheat shells)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.), diced

1/4 cup olive oil

8 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. salt

5 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1/4 cup white wine

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Set a large pot of water to boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil, salt it and cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain.

While the pasta is cooking, set a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, heat the olive oil then add the chicken. Brown the chicken on all sides – about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and simmer with the chicken until it’s fragrant and begins to turn golden – about 3 minutes.

Add the salt. spinach and white wine to the skillet and cook for an additional 3 – 5 minutes, or until the spinach begins to wilt. Toss the contents of the skillet with the pasta and place in a casserole dish. Cover with cheese and bake for 25 minutes.

Makes about 8 servings.

Spinach & Chicken Tortilla Bake, Plus an Update

Weather: 60°F, cloudy & windy.

What I'm listening to: the leaves of trees rustling in the wind.

Bath Time! (Ellie)

First things first. Ellie fell asleep on the potty this morning. First time she's ever done that. It was the cutest thing and even though we were in a hurry, I took a minute to laugh and be in the moment.  It's important to be in the now.

I did some grocery shopping this morning. With list in hand & lots of coupons, I set out on my usual journey of acquiring all the ingredients for all the new recipes I'm trying this week. Stay tuned, they will be revealed throughout the week.  Also, starting next week, we will be featuring lots of ghoulish grub in preparation for Halloween.  I asked Ellie what she wanted to be for Halloween this year. You know what she tells me, she says, "I want to go as you, Momma." She melts my heart.  We did finally settle on her costume for this year though. She's going as a busy bumble bee.  As for Mom, well, I'm going as a mermaid. Ellie says it would be fun having a mermaid as a mom.  

Another thing I wanted to mention to all of you: I am a HUGE fan of Etsy.  I've been a member for about 2 years & could not be happier with the items I purchase.  One of those items I purchased last week from a shop called Long Leaf Soaps.  Their Black Raspberry Vanilla Sugar Scrub Cubes are heavenly. I use one cube in the shower about twice a week and am enveloped in it's aroma as I exfoliate.  My review of this shop is that they serve up quality products at decent prices.  I am very pleased with my purchase. Check out their other items, too. 

So, back to what this blog is all about.  Do you know what I made for dinner last night? Of course you don't. I didn't tell you yet. My hubby isn't exactly keen on spinach, but when it was blanketed in between layers of chicken, cheese, salsa verde, & tortillas, he didn't complain.  Actually, he raved about it. Planning on adding this to our dinner rotation.  It was pretty easy and the flavors meld so perfectly.  

Spinach & Chicken Tortilla Bake

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 chicken cutlets (about 1 pound)

Salt and pepper

1 1/2 cups store-bought salsa verde

3/4 cup ricotta cheese

4 large (8″) flour tortillas

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

3 cups baby spinach (about 1/4 pound)

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the pan and cook, turning once, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then shred the meat.

Whisk together the salsa verde and ricotta; season with salt and pepper. In a greased 9-inch square baking dish, layer one-third of the salsa mixture, tortillas, chicken, onion, spinach and pepper jack; repeat twice. Bake until golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Yield:  4 servings

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I love football season. Being a foodie, my favorite thing about football season besides the game, is the food. Who woulda' guessed? It's a time for hearty, satisfying eats. It's a time when we unavoidably gain a few extra pounds to stay warm in winter. At my home, we are big football fans. And even bigger tailgating fans. My hubby reunites with his buddies from college and reminisces over beers.  Myself & Ellie (my daughter) serve up tempting tailgating dishes to family & friends...and hot chocolate, too! This Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

always goes too fast. It's definitely a sports fan crowd-pleaser! Incredibly easy dip to make.

Ingredients

• 1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded

Directions

Mix everything and pour it into a baking dish.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the sides are bubbling and the cheese cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20-30 minutes.

Mom's Spinach & Bacon Quiche

Here's the daily recipe for Ingredient of the Week(Bacon)--

Mom's Spinach & Bacon Quiche.

(Photo by FreezerMealsRecipes.com)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped onion

6 slices bacon, chopped

8 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup dairy sour cream

1/2 cup half & half or milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

3 cups lightly packed chopped fresh spinach

2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1 frozen deep dish pie shell

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, cook onion until tender and bacon until crisp. Drain

2. In a bowl stir together eggs, sour cream, half & half, salt, and pepper. Stir in onion mixture, spinach, and cheeses.

3. Stir into pie shell and bake at 325 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.