Cooking fun...did I just say FUN?

I've been truly enjoying cooking lately!

I'm creating a recipe collection of tried and true recipes. I've never done this, but I'd like to have a collection to one day pass to the kids. I wish I had something like this from my family, but I don't.

As a matter of fact, I don't have anything from my family I have Hallmark ornaments from my mom, but that's it.

I think because if this, I want to create traditions and memories, and other things to hand down to my kids. I want them to have a family history to look back on. I think it is important.

I've made a menu of sorts for the week, but it can of course be altered as necessary.

Yesterday we treated ourselves to curbside service at Outback and enjoyed a carpet picnic at home. It was nice.

Today: Angel hair pasta with marinara. Garlic bread.

Wednesday: Crock pot pork chops. Homemade macaroni and cheese. Glazed baby carrots, mashed potatoes.

Thursday: Pizza. Salad.

Friday: Tacos. Refried beans. Rice. Homemade guacamole and tortillas chips.

Saturday: Breakfast: Coffee cake.
Lunch: fend for yourself
Dinner: Stuffed pasta shells. Salad.

Sunday:
Brunch: Homemade Florentine quiche, bacon, biscuits, yogurt & berries parfaits

I'm truly enjoying being in the kitchen again. I'm trying to try a couple of new recipes each week. I really love the cookbook I was given as a baby gift! I mentioned it in a previous post, FAMILY MEALS from Williams Sonoma. It's fantastic.

I'm planning a small Christmas Eve gathering this year for our family that can come. I'm just going to make some desserts, such as cookies and perhaps an apple pie, and salty and savory snack foods. Just something small and easy I can out together without getting stressed.

I'm going to make cookie dough early and freeze it until closer to Christmas Eve, then I won't be stressed with Little Miss and trying to do everything. I used to think multi-step recipes were harder with a baby and would overlook them without even trying them, but actually if you can do steps and refrigerated or set them aside, then finish later, they are quite easy to do around baby's needs!

The stuffed shells recipe is one example. 

Do ahead and refrigerate:
Mix ricotta cheese (small tub), 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. fresh, washed, and chopped spinach, dived onion, and fresh, washed, chopped mushrooms, 1-2 cloves minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Mix all in small bowl. Set aside until ready for next step.

Cook pasta (as much as will serve 4-6 people) as directed on box.
Drain and cool.

Set aside if necessary, until ready for next step.

Spread thin amount of marinara (your choice...I like vodka sauce) in bottom of large baking dish.

Stuff each shell with ricotta cheese mixture and place in dish.

Pour desired amount of marinara over pasta. Top with more grated parmesan, if desired.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees about 15-20 minutes.
Serve with salad and /or garlic bread.

For a busy mom...bagged salad and frozen garlic bread are good. :-)