Two from the Cookbook Challenge/Fall quilt blocks are done!

One Winner for the Cookbook - One Not So Much

In an attempt to wean down my cookbook collection 

I tried two casseroles.  Just like I want a "go to" recipe for the crock pot, I'd like a couple of casserole go to's as well.

I pulled off the shelf You've Got It Made by Diane Phillips Deliciously easy meals to make now and bake later and The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever by Beatrice Ojakangas.

I chose Sausage Stuffed Shells to make ahead of time and cook up later that evening.  It can even be frozen for up to two months.  Being a hurry, I just jotted down what I needed and headed out.  When I started looking into my cart, I thought this might be on the rich side.Was it ever!  This is a company worthy recipe!  It was so good!  I added a layer of spinach leaves into each shell for a little added goodness!

That's a layer of creamy cheese sauce on the bottom!

I think the spinach leaves were a good idea!

The recipe says to run the cooked sausage through a blender with some of the cheese sauce, I did not want to do that - so I just added the sausage mixture on top of each spinach leaf.

I cooked up some onions and green peppers with the sausage even though the recipe didn't call for it.

I messed with it again!  

The cookbook had a "Quick Marinara Sauce recipe to use, I just didn't have time for that.  I had time for this

and that turned the sausage and veggies into a shell stuffing sauce!

This jarred sauce is tasty!  Also filled with peppers!  When I had it all ready to cook - I stored it in the fridge for later that evening

Because everything was cooked ahead of time, it took only 30 minutes from fridge to table - after coming to room temperature - which I called the teenagers to do for me on my way home.  

This recipe is a keeper!  It was so decadent - I think it's going to be Christmas Eve when I make it again.  Actually, that sounds like a good plan to have this in the freezer for such a busy family day!

(I forgot to take a picture of it at dinner time again! Believe me, this totally holiday worthy!)

Sausage Stuffed Shells  from You've Got it Made by Diane Phillips

serves 10-12

One 12 oz package of large pasta shells

2-3 Tbsp olive oil

1 lb sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings (I used hot instead) 

1 small onion chopped (my addition)

1 green pepper, chopped (my addition)

baby spinach leaves (my addition)

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 Tbsp unbleached all purpose flour

1 1/2/cups beef broth

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

Make it Now

1.   Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the shells for 5 mins.  Drain and toss shells with olive oil to prevent sticking - set aside.

2.  Coat the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

3.  In a large skillet over medium high heat cook the peppers and onions until just tender.  Add the sausage, breaking into small pieces and cooking through and no longer pink - about 5-7 mins.  Drain off fat.  Add marinara sauce and stir until well incorporated.

4.  In a medium size saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour and cook until white bubbles form on the surface.  Cook the mixture for 2-3 mins until smooth and thick.  Gradually stir in the broth and bring to a boil.  Stir in the cream and 1/2 cup of the cheese.  Let cool, then spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of prepared dish.

**This is where the instructions say to add 2 cups of the cheese sauce to a blender and add the sausage meat and blend until finely ground.  Because of my added vegetables, I didn't want to do this!  instead 

5.  Place a spinach leaf or two or three to each shell and place in the pan.  Then spoon into each shell sausage and veggie sauce mixture.  Pour cheese sauce on top of stuffed shells and cover with remaining grated cheese.  Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Bake it Now

1.  Defrost the casserole in the refrigerator overnight,  if necessary.

2.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and let the casserole come to room temperature for about 30 mins.

3.  Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top, about 30-35 mins.  Serve hot.

The second cookbook I pulled from the collection was The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever by Beatrice Ojakangas and I chose to make Rosemary Chicken and Rice - not good.  It smelled wonderful when cooking with the Rosemary but the rice was gummy and the recipe had me slather the chicken with mayonnaise and breadcrumbs which made the chicken seem gummy too!

The kids worked their way through it, but I am not going share the recipe because it failed the challenge!

I am going to give this book another chance because of the first section of the book.

It's all about making your own sauces - which not only taste better but have healthier ingredients.  I know I just used a jarred sauce in the previous recipe but - we do what we can!

Mushroom, cheese, white, tomato - all sauces that will be most likely better from homemade than from the jar.  The author includes chicken, vegetable and beef broth how to's, basic pastry, roasted peppers and homemade taco seasoning!  I am making that next, or the mushroom sauce.  Or both!

Creative Output - The Fall Quilt

I got all 12 Tree of Life blocks done!!!  I really wanted to get this quilt done by the end of September, but I might have to be happy with Halloween.  Or Thanksgiving aaaaah!

I've got the block's up on "design wall" which I put up when I need it in the playroom.  Essentially it's a giant piece of flannel, so the fabric sticks to it with out pins, so you can move blocks around easily until it looks just right.  It's always a good idea hang up your quilt blocks and take a step back - how does it look?

When we were choosing a new paint color for the front door, I put up the paint swatches we liked on door with tape and walked away.  Coming home at different times of the day really helped narrow it down to just one - it looked so different than when it was in the store!

Traditionally, Tree of Life quilt blocks are lying on their side - but I want my trees to stand up!  So now to figure how to sew in the background to make that happen. 

Sew on and sew on!

Pam