Thursday, September 30, 2010

Nikkis Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Sooo very simple, and soo gooey and cheesy.. nom..nom..nom...

1 box frozen chopped spinach
1 (15oz) container Ricotta cheese
1 lb. ground beef
1 box jumbo shells
Parmesan cheese
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
Minced garlic / onion (add what you like)
Parsley
Salt/Pepper to taste

Homemade tomato sauce*
*Sauce:
Combine 1 lg. can diced tomatoes, cooked ground beef, 2 T. Italian seasoning, combine and simmer on stove while making pasta. (this is where I add my secret ingredient, not listed in this recipe.)

In large skillet, brown meat. Cook jumbo shells and rinse thoroughly until cool to touch. Combine ricotta, spinach, garlic, Parmesan and 1 c. mozzarella and mix thoroughly. Stuff shells. While boiling/stuffing pasta, make your sauce. Simmer burger & tomatoes. Cover bottom of pan with meat sauce arranging shells in single layer. Top with sauce, and Parmesan & remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake in 350 degrees oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve w/ garlic bread.
 
Tip: I use a disposable pan. Easy clean-up!



Monday, September 27, 2010

Baby News!

..And the news is?? We're not having one. Or two. Not now. Or ever. Since getting married, the ONE question on everyones minds seems to be "When are you having kids?"  (good grief!)
When I was born, I was a very sick little baby. I had a 'knot' in my intestine, and had many serious surgeries at 3 weeks to to help me survive. As a result of complications with one of the surgeries, I can't have babies.(still get monthly gift tho, how pointless is that ?? LOL!)  Jake knew this a long time ago, so it wasn't a surprise to him at the last minute or anything, don't worry.
YES, we know we can try adopting, or a surrogate. YES, we know we have options if we do decided to try & become parents. And YES, I am sick of answering questions about it. We are going to be happily married sans kids, just accept it. YES, people can do that! It's totally legal, and our choice. We have plenty of friends with little ones for those days that we want to punish ourselves (JK, guys!) Kids are great, and growing up the oldest of 3 kids, I don't feel like I 'missed out' on being maternal. I always have been.
We have our 2 dogs, Tao & Yukina AKA Fidget, and those are our kids. So, yes, we will we getting more dogs! (I have a list of dogs I want, WITH names, lol!)

..Just wanted to blog this, in hopes that's a few more times that I don't have to explain why no babies. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Have a great day, my lovelies! =]

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Mmm, raspberry white zinfandal!