Toasted Raviolis

Toasted Ravioli

Ingredients:

1/2 package meat or cheese ravioli (thawed)

1 beaten egg

2 TBSP milk

3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish (optional)

3 cups vegetable oil for frying

1 jar marinara sauce for dipping

Directions:

1.  Combine milk and egg in a small dipping bowl. In a separate bowl combine bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional).

2.  Dip thawed ravioli in egg mixture then in breadcrumbs.

3.  In a large heavy pan, pour oil to depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium heat until a small amount of breading sizzles and turns brown. Fry breaded ravioli in oil, a few at a time, for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese (optional).

4.  Serve immediately with heated marinara sauce.

Tip: If you want to make a few packages at a time they freeze very well. Store in a freezer bag until ready to use. To warm: heat on cookie sheet in a 450 degree oven for 5-10 minutes on each side. They will taste freshly made and wonderful!

Tomato Cream Pasta with Spinich

 One of my favorite meals is pasta. I love all types of sauces and noodle varieties. This is very easy to make and it has a nice deep flavor. A co-worker from last year gave me the recipe. She said they liked to have a "meat-less" meal every week to save a little money. This pasta sauce is meant to be meat free but I have added some shredded chicken and it tastes just as good.

Start by cooking some minced garlic and onion in olive oil. I used1 small onion and 2 cloves of garlic. If you like more or less feel free to change the amounts. Add 1-2 cans of diced tomatoes. I use the tomatoes flavored with garlic or the "fire roasted" tomatoes. Plain work great as well.

 Once the tomatoes have been cooked and simmered 5-10 minutes, add in spinach. I use half a bunch from the grocery store. Let that simmer until the spinach is cooked down.

Add in some heavy whipping cream. I use about 1/2 a pint. If you are cooking for a lot of people put in more. If your tomatoes were flavored you may want to add in some Italian spices. The onion and the garlic should have flavored it enough but try it to see if you like more flavor.

Serve over noodles (I had a very great assortment of different types of noodles so I used those). Serve with garlic bread and a salad. Enjoy!

Skillet Baked Ziti

A few months ago I was lucky enough to receive my great grandma's cast iron skillet. We figure it is about 70+ years old and was used for about 35 years. I have been looking up and trying a lot of skillet based recipes and this is one of my favorite!

You will need a 12 inch oven proof skillet along with:

-1 T Olive Oil
-6 Cloves Garlic, minced
-1/4 t Red Pepper Flakes
-Salt and Pepper to taste
-28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes
-3 cups water
-12 ounces Ziti or similar noodles (I used a trio of noodles)
-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
-1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
-1/4 cup minced Fresh Basil (or 2 t dried basil)
-1 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese




Sauté garlic, red pepper and salt in olive oil.

You don't want the garlic to get too brown, just until it starts to become fragrant, about 1 minute should do it.

Add in pasta, water, crushed tomatoes and 1/2 t salt. You will want to add them in this order so the water and hot oil doesn't splatter. Turn on oven to 475 F and set the oven rack in the middle position.

Cover and cook, stirring often and adjusting heat as needed to maintain a vigorous simmer, until pasta is almost tender. 15-18 minutes. If you don't have a lid for your skillet the bottom of a cookie sheet works wonders!

While this is cooking, measure out cheeses, cream and basil.




Stir in cream, parmesan and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over pasta. Transfer skillet to oven to bake until cheese has melted and browned, about 8-10 minutes.


*If your skillet is not oven-proof, put pasta mixture in a greased casserole dish before sprinkling on mozzarella cheese. Bake the same in the oven.









Serve with a yummy salad and seasoned french bread.

Enjoy!