Category Archives: Definitely Making it Again

September 9, 2011 · 8:54 am

Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna

So now that this thing called “school” has invaded our lives, our Tuesdays and Thursdays are a nightmare. School, violin, soccer…we don’t get home until almost 8:00pm. This recipe was a lifesaver yesterday and everyone liked it so much they had seconds.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, turkey or chicken (browned and drained)
1 (28-ounce) jar prepared pasta sauce
25-30 frozen cheese or meat ravioli
2 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
2 tablespoons warm water

Instructions:
Use a 4-quart slow cooker. After browning the meat in a skillet, drain well and add the pasta sauce (save the jar!) to the meat in your saute pan. Stir to combine.

Scoop a large spoonful of meat sauce and spread into the bottom of an empty slow cooker. Add a layer of frozen ravioli. Then add another layer of meat sauce. Continue layering until you run out of ravioli and sauce. Sprinkle cheese evenly all over the top.

Put 2 tablespoons of water into the empty pasta sauce jar, and shake. Pour this water over the top of your “lasagna.”

Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for about 4. Your lasagna is done when the ravioli is tender and the filling is heated through.

Did I change anything? I didn’t, but I think the next time I make it I am going to use Italian sausage instead of ground turkey.

What did the family think? Everyone had seconds! What’s not to like about ravioli lasagna? 🙂

Where did this recipe come from? Crockpot365

photo from Amazon.com

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Italian, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make

September 8, 2011 · 9:12 am

Back to School Zucchini Bread

My husband and kids absolutely LOVE zucchini bread and I haven’t made it in a very long time. It turns out that making some zucchini bread this week was a great idea because we have had some for breakfast, packed it in lunch boxes and packed it for the kids to take for snacks at school AND it freezes up beautifully if you want to save a loaf for later since this recipe makes two loaves.

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 3/4 cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans.

Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Beat eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl.

Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Did I change anything? I reduced the amount of oil and added applesauce. I reduced the amount of sugar. I left out the walnuts completely and I didn’t sift anything. All of the changes I made from the original recipe are reflected in the recipe above.

What did the family think? They fought over the last piece.

Where did the recipe come from? Allrecipes

photo from allrecipes.com

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Filed under After School Snacks, Bread, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Vegetarian

September 7, 2011 · 10:28 am

Italian Sausage and Spinach Stromboli

We are back from vacation, the kids are back in school and I am back in the kitchen. The boys love pizza and really anything that involves pizza/pasta sauce, so I knew this would be a hit. I just wish I would have made more…everyone wanted seconds.

Ingredients:
1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store bought
All-purpose flour, for work surface
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
2 cups fresh spinach
2 cups marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella (6 ounces)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Divide dough into 4 pieces. On a lightly floured work surface, stretch out each piece, first to a 3-by-4 inch oval, then to a 6-by-8-inch oval (let dough rest briefly if too elastic to work with).

In a large skillet cook Italian sausage until done. Add spinach leaves and cook until just wilted.

Dividing evenly, scatter sausage/spinach mixture over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Dividing evenly, top with mozzarella and 1/4 cup marinara.

Starting at the shorter end, roll up each stromboli, and place, seam side down, on baking sheet. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut two slits in the top of each. Brush with oil. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve stromboli with 1/2 cup marinara for dipping.

Did I change anything? The original recipe called for salami and broccoli. I’m not sure I want broccoli in my stromboli. I wish I would have added some roasted red peppers to it. Since this is like a rolled up pizza basically, you can add just about anything to it that you’d normally have on your pizza.

What did the family think? Everyone loved it and wanted seconds, but there were no seconds. Note to self: make twice as much next time.

Where did this recipe come from? I got the idea for this recipe from Martha Stewart.

photo from Martha Stewart

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Italian

August 31, 2011 · 8:12 am

Tomatoes and Cottage Cheese

I know this isn’t really a recipe, but it is comfort food to me. Every time I make this I am taken back to my grandma’s kitchen…with her old yellow linoleum floors that slope ever so slightly, her butter churn in the corner that sits next to the potato box and the colander full of tomatoes fresh from the garden. This is the perfect way (in my opinion) to get through some of those garden tomatoes you don’t know what to do with.

Ingredients:
1 small tomato
About 1 cup cottage cheese
A dash of salt (optional)
A pinch of pepper (optional)

Instructions:
Chop tomato into bite-sized pieces. Mix with the remainder of the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy!

What did the family think? I am the only one who eats this in my house.

Where did this recipe come from? I got it from my grandma and she probably got it from her grandma.

photo from Foods We Love

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Side Dish, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

August 30, 2011 · 9:51 am

Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

The boys have been asking me to make this for a while, so last night was the night. They lapped it up and asked for more…I love dinners like that. Another thing I love about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time, stick it in the frig and then pop it in the oven when you are ready to bake it.

Ingredients:

1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed completely & squeezed dry
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
15 ounces ricotta cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 box (12 to 14 shells) manicotti noodles
3 to 4 cups marinara sauce (1 jar + a little more)
1/2 cup shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, for topping

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix spinach, cheeses, eggs, salt and pepper. Stir together until well blended.

Place about 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce in a 9×13-inch pan. Spread it around to cover the bottom.

Place the mixed filling into a plastic bag. You can use either a frosting piping bag or a gallon zip bag. Snip the corner, gather the top and squeeze the filling into the corner. Hold an uncooked manicotti shell in your hand and squeeze the filling inside the shell. Let it overflow on both sides. (Or you can use a spoon. Spoon it in with the spoon part of the spoon and stuff it in there with the handle…very messy…but it worked.) Place the filled shell into the sauce-lined pan. Repeat with remaining manicotti and fill the pan with the stuffed shells, until you run out of shells and filling. You should be able to fill 12 to 14 shells- if you run out of room in your pan, use a separate smaller pan to accommodate the extra.

Cover the pasta with marinara sauce, using about 2 1/2 cups of sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Romano/Parmesan on top. At this point, you can cover with foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake, or you can cover with foil and place it in the oven immediately.

Bake, covered with foil, 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

What did the family think? Yum, yum and more yum.

Where did this recipe come from? Recipe Girl

photo from Recipe Girl

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Filed under Definitely Making it Again, Everybody Ate It, Italian, Lent, Make Ahead of Time, Not so Easy, Vegetarian

August 29, 2011 · 8:42 am

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Granola

This is my second attempt at homemade granola. The first recipe I tried was fantastic! I loved it, but I ate it all and wanted to try a new recipe, so I gave this one a whirl. This one is great too, but has a whole different taste than the first recipe I made. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweeteend
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped (I used almonds)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used raisins)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate.

Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and and cool completely, in its pan, on a wire wrack. Once the granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.

Did I change anything? This recipe called for sesame seeds which I left out because I didn’t have any. I also didn’t put in as much fruit…I don’t like my granola to be too fruity. I put in about 3/4 cup raisins.

What did the family think? I had a bowl of it with some milk last night and loved it. I think it would also be good mixed in with some yogurt. Our youngest also had some last night. Surprisingly, he liked it, too.

Where did this recipe come from? Our Kitchen Sink

Photo by Me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Make Ahead of Time, Vegetarian

August 28, 2011 · 4:29 pm

Blueberry Smoothie

MommaCooks it starting to turn into the the smoothie/breakfast blog…we’ve been making a lot of smoothies around here this week. The boys had this one for a before bed snack last night and for breakfast this morning.

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 single-serving containers yogurt (we used blueberry one time and orange passion fruit the next)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup oatmeal

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

What did the family think? Yum. (Except for all the blueberry pieces that got stuck in their teeth.)

Where did this recipe come from? The boys wanted smoothies and the cupboard was getting bare. I threw in the oatmeal because Jaime Oliver has a smoothie recipe that includes oatmeal.

photo from CCRecipe

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Filed under After School Snacks, Beverages, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

August 27, 2011 · 8:22 am

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

I have been working on finding some new, relatively quick and healthy breakfast recipes this past week since the school year will be starting in less than two weeks. It’s also important that they have some protein in them to keep my oldest’s belly full since I am pretty sure that he will be eating lunch pretty late this year. This recipe meets all of those criteria!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons jelly/jam/preserves (we used blueberry)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 banana, sliced
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons wheat germ (if you have it)

Instructions:
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

What did the family think? Three of us tried it and we all liked it. My kids love PB & J so it was fun to be able to drink one and call it breakfast.

Where did this recipe come from? A local restaurant has these on their menu, so I have been wanting to make one at home for a while. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com.

photo from The Feeding Family

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Filed under After School Snacks, Beverages, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

August 25, 2011 · 8:44 am

Fruity Peanut Butter Breakfast Sushi

My oldest loves banana dogs and this is similar to that, but with a twist because you can call it sushi. 🙂 Your kids will love saying they’re having sushi for breakfast. This is also great because they’re getting fruit, grains and a protein all rolled into one tasty dish.

Ingredients:
1 slice of bread (crusts removed)
Peanut butter
1 banana (and some strawberries too if you have them)

Instructions:
Spread peanut butter on bread.

Place banana and thinly-sliced berries at one end of the bread.

Starting with the fruit side, roll into a tube, pressing gently.

Cut into about four pieces California Roll style.

What did the family think? Our oldest had this for breakfast yesterday with a fruity breakfast smoothie. He was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out he loved it.

Where did this recipe come from? Parents Magazine, November 2006, page 189

Photo by me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

August 24, 2011 · 3:30 pm

Fruity Breakfast Smoothie

There is not an exact science as to how we make these, but they are pretty popular around here. Sometimes we have them with breakfast and sometimes they are just a healthy snack. Last night we had them for dessert.

Ingredients:
1 banana (about a 1/2 cup)
6 oz yogurt (your favorite flavor, we usually use strawberry or blueberry)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

What did the family think? I like these and so does our oldest. They are too fruity for my hubby and our youngest does like these, but usually opts for something else for breakfast instead.

Where did recipe come from? Me

Smoothie with Breakfast Sushi…that recipe’s coming tomorrow!
Photo by Me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Beverages, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian