#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Kid-Friendly Stuffed Shells

December 20, 2011 · Narrative

Stuffed Shells - Before
When it comes to kids and dinner, there are a few must-have ingredients in your kitchen cupboard.  For me?  Canned tomato products (paste, sauce, crushed tomatoes) and pasta are at the top of the list.  I’m a big fan of the Tuttorosso brand, flavorful but not heavy-handed, as a starting base for a pasta recipe.  When the day is long and inspiration is short, I know I can whip up a quick pasta dinner, and the kids will be happy.  And when they’re happy, I’m happy.  It’s a pretty simple equation.

Although I have the occasional jar of pasta sauce on hand, I usually make homemade tomato sauce.  Some days (usually the ones that start with an S), it means a long-simmering sauce on the stove.  Others, it’s a quicker version.  You can still make a very homemade tomato sauce with pantry staples and skip the jar stuff.  Which is much better for you.  In my humble opinion, of course.

In my ongoing guilt over not making enough Italian food, I decided tonight was a good night for stuffed shells.  I haven’t had them in f-o-r-e-v-e-r, it’s easy for a weeknight dinner, and everyone can leave the table with happy, well-fed, warm little tummies.  Even this happy little sous chef.

Littlest Sous Chef
Ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, spinach, an egg, garlic, salt, pepper, shells.  Stupid simple.  The below recipe makes a very healthy amount, which means yummy leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.  A notion I’m completely down with.

Posing with Her Masterpiece

December 20, 2011 – Bonus Photos
Feeling Grown-Up
Sometimes Every time we pull into the driveway, and it’s just Madeline and me, and I don’t get out of the car fast enough, Madeline pleads to sit in the front seat “like a grown-up.”  If we have a few minutes to spare, I park the car, turn it off but leave the radio on, unbuckle her seat belt and she climbs into the front seat.  Fastens her seat belt.  And proceeds to ask me a million questions about the buttons, plays with the radio, locks, and window, but never asks me to drive.  Luckily, for the most part, she’s my ardent rule follower.  Interesting juxtaposition for my wild child.  She might be a touch of happycrazy, but she hates to get in trouble.  That combination is pretty awesome, if you ask me.

Kid-Friendly Stuffed Shells
Recipe courtesy of Cate O’Malley

  • 1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 egg
  • 1 box frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
  • 1 (32 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • One cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese plus a little extra for sprinkling
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce (or use the homemade tomato sauce from this recipe)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  3. In a large bowl, mix egg, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined. Stuff cooked shells with ricotta mixture and place (opening up) in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  4. Pour tomato sauce over stuffed shells.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake in preheated oven 45 to 60 minutes, until edges are bubbly and shells are slightly set.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: pantry items, pasta, stuffed shells, tomato sauce, weeknight meals

Comments

  1. Betsy says

    December 20, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Love stuffed shells, but never thought of making them on a weekday. Maybe they don’t take as long as I think. Or, maybe I’m just slow in the kitchen. Ha. I used to make a CL recipe for shells and froze 1/2 for super easy dinners (it was one of those freezer recipes) Thanks for the recipe. It’s time for shells again! Love the pics!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    December 21, 2011 at 7:22 am

    I LOVE stuffed shells. I definitely haven’t been making enough Italian food either, at least not for my parents’ liking. I would have totally been all over these as a kid. Put ricotta in anything and I’m pretty content.

    Reply
  3. Patsy says

    December 21, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    I haven’t made stuffed shells in ages! Might have to do it next week! Yum!

    Reply
  4. Joanne T Ferguson says

    September 21, 2012 at 6:58 am

    Do these freeze well and if so, do you have any hints and specific tips on how to freeze and reheat? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      September 21, 2012 at 8:54 am

      Hi Joanne T! Yes, these are great for a freezer meal. I wouldn’t bake them first though. I would make the stuffed shells and then freeze them individually, on a cookie sheet until solid, then packed loose into bags. Then, you can take out as many as you need/want. Add them to the sauce, following the rest of the recipe. It will take just a little longer than fresh, but the stuffed shells themselves really don’t need much cooking once they’re heated through.

      Reply
  5. Joanne T Ferguson says

    September 21, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    G’day and big thanks. So freeze them individually; follow the recipe.
    So would still preheat the oven, cook them from frozen for about 45 – 60 minutes; maybe a tad longer? Thank you. Will try making these for a friend, so that’s why I wanted to clarify so I give her the proper info too!

    Reply
  6. Cate says

    September 21, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Yep! I would figure maybe an additional 15 minutes or so, depending on oven, how frozen, etc. Hope you love them!

    Reply
  7. Joanne T Ferguson says

    September 21, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Thank you again! I love them already! :)

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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