pinterest tested: butternut squash stuffed shells

I love anything with butternut squash and these are no exception!  I saw this recipe on Pinterest and had to try it.  Originally, I wanted to try it last week, but did not have the time.  I did get the squash roasted, then I put it into a freezer bag and froze it until yesterday.

As you can see from the picture, I did not add the spinach.  I did not have any in the freezer and was too lazy to run out.  Here is the link for the recipe: http://pinterest.com/pin/136726538658439063/

In the mood for baking

With the holidays approaching, I started to clean out my freezer.  Last night, sloppy joes and tonight pasta with sauce.  I need to make room for the recipes I can make ahead and I also need my containers!

I have been reading the holiday issues of magazines (have I ever mentioned my addiction to food magazines?).  Also, I have been reading my copies of holiday cooking and craft books (another weakness of mine).  It put me in the mood to bake.

I tried the mini banana-cranberry-nut bread loaves, without the nuts.  WOW!  Cream cheese in banana bread: what can be better?  Perhaps bourbon, but I will save that rant for another post. I used the recipe and made 3 mini loaves and one regular loaf.  I baked the larger loaf for about 20 minutes longer.  I froze the mini loaves, but I am sure they will be eaten before the holidays.

I also tried the Oatmeal-Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies.  The taste was good, but the cookie came out a little flat.  That did not stop my family from eating them and they did not even realize there was oatmeal and flax meal in them.

Pasta and Pea Soup

This week's soup is pasta and pea soup.  Very easy and good.

Pinterest Tested- Italian Chicken

 

The picture for Italian Chicken on Pinterest looked delicious.  And it was.  This is easy to put together and I did my usual start in a slow oven (300 degrees) while I dropped off children, then turned it up, added the cheese and made the pasta when I got home. The house smelled so good.

I might add kalamata olives the next time I make it.  And I will make it again.

Slow cooked minestrone

Tuesdays, like most nights, are crazy.  I had the slow cooked minestrone prepped and ready for dinner.  One problem, we never got to eat it.  My husband had to work late, the girls had dance, Jack had swimming, and I had to get the gray out of my hair!  I packed up the kids and their stuff, bought fast food and they ate in the car.

Now I have minestrone for lunch.  This recipe makes a lot.  I have some in my refrigerator, some in the freezer, and I gave some to my neighbor.

Fiesta Pork and Cheesy Polenta

Fiesta Pork and Cheesy Polenta is such a good recipe.  Last night, we had a football game at 6pm. Dinner was not going to be ready before the game and we were still taking kids to activities.  Before I left for the game, I had the pork sliced and seasoned.  I put it into a low oven (280 degrees), covered with foil.  I also had the peppers cut, the water for the polenta measured, and the polenta measured. 

When we got home, I assembled.  I sauteed the peppers, scallions, and corn and added the pork. Made the polenta. Worked perfectly.

Thanksgiving Prep

I know, it is not even Halloween and I started some Thanksgiving prep.  I don't have the entire menu set, but I do have some items.  Obviously, turkey is on the menu.  Also, pumpkin martinis and crab bisque from my husband's step mom and sausage stuffing from my Aunt.

I made individual butternut squash lasagnas and mini bourbon sweet potato cupcakes.  They are packed and in the freezer, ready for the big day. 

I plan on having a buffet of mini desserts, so there will be more baking to follow...I just don't know what that will be yet.

Elby Soup

     Elby soup is a recipe my Mother-In-Law make when it was getting cold.  It is a comfort food for our family.  After she passed, her sister gave my husband this recipe for father's day since it is one of the few items we have with handwriting.
     This past week, her sister had surgery.  I made a triple batch so that I could share.  That is really what comfort food is.

   It is very easy and inexpensive and you serve it over instant mashed potatoes.  Yes, I said instant.  It would not be the same without the instant potatoes.

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Leeks

All I can say is yum!  I made the Pan Roasted Chicken with Leeks for dinner last night.  I needed to run around with kids, the usual, so I had to make the dish in sections. I did eliminate the bacon to save calories and the sauce was still delicious. I browned the chicken and sauteed the leeks and garlic and instead of putting it in an over at 450, I put it in at 250 degrees while I dropped kids where they needed to be.  Once home, I completed the sauce and kept the dish warm until everyone got home.  I served it with baked potatoes and Parmesan Zucchini Fries.

Here is how I made the fries:

 Cut zucchini into  sticks. In a bowl, mix panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and pepper.  In a second bowl, beat three eggs.  Dip the zucchini sticks first into the egg, then the bread crumb mixture.  Place the sticks on a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake the fries at 350 degrees until fork tender and crispy on the outside.