INGREDIENTS:

1 box Jumbo Shells, boiled to al dente and set aside

1 -15oz container Ricotta Cheese

1 Large Egg, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp fresh Basil, chopped finely or 1 tsp dried

1- 10 oz. bag/box of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and moisture pressed out as much as possible or 2 cups fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1-1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, ( I use organic)

3/4 Trader Joe’s Mushroom Umami seasoning

1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper 

1-1/2 Tbsp Avocado Or Olive Oil

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

1/2 (10 oz) container baby Bella Mushrooms, diced to a 1/4″

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried parsley

Gallon size ziploc bag

2-1/2 cups Muir Glen Organic No Sugar Added, Italian Herb Pasta Sauce

Cooking Spray (I use Coconut Oil)

9×13 Casserole dish

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350°F. 

In a large skillet, heat oil, add mushrooms and Sauté for about 4 minutes stirring every min. Add garlic and sautéed for another min on medium heat. Add 1/4 tsp Umami seasoning, basil, and oregano and sauté for another min. Add another 1/4 tsp Umami. Stir until spinach wilts and shrinks in size. Cool mixture until warm. 

In the meantime, in a large bowl, mix ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, egg, Parmesan, 1/4 tsp Umami, parsley and pepper. Stir in your mushroom and onion mixture. Transfer mixture into Ziploc bag and cut one corner.

Have a 9×13 casserole dish greased with cooking spray. Pour about 1-1/2 cups of the sauce into the casserole dish so it can evenly spread out and cover the whole bottom. 

Stuff each shell with a generous amount of mixture and place them into the casserole dish. Pour more sauce around and on top of the shells. Sprinkle a little more Parmesan and then the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with a side of salad…Enjoy!

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Rating: 5.0/5 (4 votes cast)

Chicken Marsala

September 4th, 2014 | Posted by Milana in Italian Cuisine | Lunch/Dinner - (0 Comments)

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Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/2 Cup White Whole Wheat Flour
1 Tbsp Paprika
1-1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
1/4 tsp Finely Ground Black Pepper
2 tsp Garlic Powder
1-1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Dried Oregano
2 tsp Dried Thyme

2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
2 Tbsp olive oil or Avocado Oil
3 Tbsp Vegan Butter
3 Cups sliced Mushroom Caps (cremini, shitake, baby bella)
3/4 Cup Marsala Wine
1 Cup Chicken Stock
Chopped Chives for Garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Butterfly chicken breast halves and pound thin. Cutting each Butterfly down the center to give you 2 thin chicken breasts.
In a shallow bowl or plate combine the flour and all seasoning spices and stir to combine thoroughly. Quickly dredge the chicken breast halves in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking to remove any excess flour.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add 1 tablespoon of the margarine and cook the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add another Tbsp of the margarine to the pan and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are golden brown around the edges and have given off their liquid. Add the Marsala wine and bring to a boil, scraping to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the wine has reduced by half, add the chicken stock and cook for 3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Lower the heat to medium and return the chicken breasts to the pan and continue to cook until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Swirl in the remaining Tbsp of margarine. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with your favorite side. Enjoy!

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Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)

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INGREDIENTS:
24 jumbo pasta shells, (8 ounces)
3 cups Miur Glen Organic Italian Herb Pasta Sauce
1 Large Sweet Onion, finely chopped
1 bag fresh baby spinach
2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups low moisture shredded mozzarella
1 large egg
2/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
1 tbsp dried oregano
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cook shells until just tender, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add onions and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Add spinach in batches and toss with tongs until wilted. Let cool. Set aside.

Combine ricotta, basil, oregano, garlic, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan and nutmeg in a bowl; mix well. Add the reserved spinach and mushroom mixture and season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg.

Stuff each of the reserved shells with a generously with about a tablespoon of the ricotta mixture.

Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer.
Top with the remaining 2 cups of the sauce sprinkle with mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake until the top is golden and the shells are heated through, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 Servings
NUTRITION ANALYSIS:
Serving Size: 4 Shells per person
Calories: 269 Calories
Total Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Dietary Fiber: 7g
Protein: 27g

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Rating: 5.0/5 (3 votes cast)

Tricolor Baked Ziti

January 22nd, 2013 | Posted by Milana in Italian Cuisine | Lunch/Dinner - (0 Comments)

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INGREDIENTS:
16 oz Package Tricolor Penne or Ziti Pasta boiled according to package
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
1 lb Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Egg Beaten
1 Jar Miur Glen Pasta Sauce
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl mix pasta with ricotta cheese, sauce, 3/4 of mozzarella and egg. Heat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon mixture, top with parmesan and the rest of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 min. Let stand for 15 min before serving.

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Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)

Spinach Manicotti

August 14th, 2012 | Posted by Milana in Italian Cuisine | Lunch/Dinner - (0 Comments)

INGREDIENTS:

1 box (8 oz) uncooked manicotti shells (14 shells)

1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

15 oz. ricotta cheese  

1 box (10 oz) frozen cut spinach, thawed, drained, squeezed dry

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 egg, slightly beaten

 1 Jar Miur Glen Organic Italian Herb Pasta Sauce



DIRECTIONS:


Heat oven to 375°F. Cook manicotti as directed on box. Rinse with cool water; drain well. In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup of the  cheese, the pepper flakes, ricotta cheese, spinach, garlic and egg.
In bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce. Spoon ricotta mixture into manicotti; place over sauce in dish. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake about 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling. Uncover dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese blend. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 300 (Calories from Fat 50)

Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g)

Cholesterol 50mg

Sodium 410mg

Total Carbohydrate 43g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 8g)

Protein 19g

Vitamin A 70%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 35%; Iron 15%

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch

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Rating: 5.0/5 (4 votes cast)