No Reason

I just wanted to show off one of my pretties.

It's an olive green Cinderella Bowl, 402.

It's been loved.

Oh and the dish - Chili, made w/ ground turkey, Rotel, Pasta, Black Beans and Kidney Beans. Mmm.

Sometimes I even surprise myself.

I did say that it was too time consuming, making each. individual. little. pillow. thingy. But I did realize today with the kneading, the rolling and making...it is so relaxing.

I tried my hand at making pasta again. This time I did things a little different.

I decided to mix the dough in a bowl (my newest Pyrex, aged like many of my others...there is not another one exactly like it). IF I make pasta again, I will not mix in a bowl (it's just one more thing to have to clean).

Recipe: about a cup of flour, 1 egg, a little water, salt and a little olive oil.
Mix, knead and let rest (I let it rest for a couple hours this time, but learning from my last experience, I put a wet towel over the top - to keep a crust from forming).




This go around, I went with round rather than squares...I think the rounds were a little easier to do. I do not own any cookie cutters (I. Just. Don't. Bake.) so I used a whiskey glass.



Stacking them all nice and pretty like.



The filling: Ricotta cheese (about 1/2 a container, frozen spinach thawed, baby port mushrooms - diced and cooked in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder). Mix together (after the mushrooms cool) adding a little more salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste.



I took each round and rolled them out again making an oval. With my finger I put a little water on half and then with a little spoon put a dollop of the mix in the center. Fold in half and pinch the two sides together.



With a fork I pressed down again, to make sure there was a tight seal.



They aren't perfect.



Again with the store bought sauce...tisk tisk.



Topped with a little fresh cracked pepper...Mmm.



Do you like my turquoise Pyrex cereal bowl? I bought that at a church rummage sale for a quarter.

What do you get when you mix __________

Hoss and Sprout just love to watch iCarly (on Nick)...there is a food item that they speak of often---

Hoss asks me to make said item, and finally this week I caved and well...

Again with the store bought sauce (again - sad).



I made my own meatballs (I know, right! - I can make homemade pasta and meatballs, but I buy the sauce - lame!)

Recipe (everything is to taste)

2LBS meat
Italian bread crumbs (store bought)
S&P
Garlic Powder
Diced onion
1 egg
Parmesan Cheese *brain fart* I forgot to add this this go around, but still tasted rather yummy.

Then I pinched off a little (enough to make a large marble size), rolling in my hands to form a ball.

I took half the meatballs and cooked in the sauce (adding a little extra water to make sure they cook long and slow). Then put the other half in (of course, a Pyrex dish and baked off til done) - will use these at a later date.






So, what do you get when you add crunchy taco shells...



cooked pasta (store bought - sad)...



and meat sauce???



Spaghetti Tacos!



Sprout-



Hoss-



I *think* they liked it.



They were different, but good.

*If you fried up your own crunchy taco shells you could sprinkle them with garlic salt---that would be YUMMY!

Hubs and I agreed that this is not a first date meal. Nor will it be served at any 5 star restaurant.

Can't be a carb hater and eat these.

Im not Italian! (not that there is anything wrong w/ that)

Hoss asked me the other day if I was making pasta. My reply to that was 'maybe' (it is something I have always wanted to try).

This is my first and possibly last attempt at making homemade pasta.

I know from watching LOTS of t.v. that in order to make pasta you start with a 'well'. This here is my 'well':

2 cups flour
2 eggs
a little water
a little olive oil
dash of salt

(makes a bunch of pasta)



I know (again, from watching lots of t.v.) that you put all your ingredients in the center and mix, slowing pulling in the edges til you can break it without making a huge mess.



After mixing and kneading I put the ball of dough to the side to 'rest'. It rested for about one and a half hours (I took a little nap - Oops). It developed a little crust on it, but I worked with it anyway.

I cut the ball into fourths and then into eighths. Taking each little piece and rolling it out til I could almost see threw it.



The stuffing mixture was 4 baby portobella (sauteed w/ salt, pepper and garlic powder) , frozen spinach and half ricotta cheese - and salt to taste.






Taking one of the rolled out sheets and placing a dollop of the stuffing mix in the center. With water I went around the pieces (seeing little squares in my head).



I pulled over one side to make little pillows. Pressing down to seal the edges and then cut.



Boiled in salted chicken water (I boiled off some chicken to go along with)...More flavor.



I go through the hassle of making homemade pasta and use store bought Alfredo sauce (sad).



Aaaand..............




So, I made homemade pasta. Probably wouldn't have taken as long had I not stopped to take pictures here and there (hehe, but that's me).

It was time consuming. I am not patient enough to Make. Each. Individual. Pasta Pillow Thingy.

It was good though. In order for me to make it again though...they are going to have to ask real nice like. I am more of a one pot recipe kinda girl.