Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Manicotti

I intended on boiling the handy dandy boxed noodles but I felt compelled to make the noodles. The last time I did that I just made some simple pasta noodles. When I went to the Googles to find some inspo I saw a technique that I’d never heard of which meant that I obviously have to try it.

Additionally the supermarket only had an insanely large container of ricotta. The Googles said it was easy so I said ‘what the hell?”

And it was!

I’m not writing up a lengthy post. I think the pictures are largely self explanatory. I didn’t use any precise measurements aside from the manicotti and the ricotta, which I’ll link to if anyone feels adventurous.

Fresh ricotta

Fresh manicotti

I winged this meal. I didn’t know what was happening until I was basically ready to assemble.

The following are the components:

I cooked up ground chicken thighs. I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and a bit of chopped garlic and shallots.

Chopped spinach (frozen) and chopped artichoke hearts

I used a can of crushed tomatoes. I seasoned it up with the usual suspects and my personal tricks. Season your sauce as you like or use your usual.

Shredded mozzarella.

I mixed the ricotta with the spinach and artichokes. I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan and crushed red pepper.The rest is just assembly. Make sure you place them seam side down. Bake at 350 until nice and bubbly then make sure your cheese gets nice and melty 😍

This was my first time using this crepe-pasta technique. I did an amazing job with the flavors. I think it’s more suitable for a light recipe. This is hearty. I think I would have preferred an ordinary noodle. Either way this was amazingly yummy!

Worth every step!

🐷.

 

 

 

© 2020 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Buttermilk Waffles for Two

My friend teases me because I’ll make a pancake or four cupcakes. Well, I’ll also make two waffles. Waste not want not. It’s just me and the kid. I have no use for a half dozen waffles.

This recipe is for two decently sized waffles. If you want to make more then allow me to direct you to my go-to recipe converter. Simply input the interval you want to increase the recipe by (3 for roughly six, four for roughly 8, etc.)

You can add fixins, below I added spices and chopped apples. You can also add toppings, pictured below with strawberry compote.

Ingredients

1c flour

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

(any dry add on)

3/4c warmed buttermilk

3tbsp melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Basic recipe:

Dry ingredients in one bowl.

Melt butter in another.

Add warmed buttermilk to the butter.

Add lightly whisked egg and vanilla.

Whisk wet into dry.

Portion into your waffle maker and cook following your machine’s operation.

© 2018 by Alexa Mason. All Rights Reserved

Simple Streusel

Streusel is really simple to make and easy to keep on hand!

 

This recipe yields enough for about 12 muffins. I make this in a large batch (multiplied the recipe by 6 in a kitchen converter) and keep it in the freezer.

 

 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 tsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

 

1. Combine these ingredients in a small bowl using a fork or rubber spatula.
2. It will resemble coarse, wet sand.
3. Use it to top muffins, coffee cake, etc.
4. Freeze leftover in a Ziplock bag.

I used this streusel to top my cranberry peach muffins

 

 

My First Potato Gnocchi

I’ve been watching cooking shows and competitions five-ever. There are three things that I have simply never attempted because I imagined Gordon Ramsay looming over my kitchen and judging every step. Beef Wellington. Risotto. Gnocchi.

 

Today, I bit the bullet and decided to attempt gnocchi. I, however, do not own a food mill or potato ricer. I love kitchen gadgets but I have to rationalize its use. I can’t convince myself to buy gadgets that I’ll use once a year, hence, no ricer or mill. I hit the Googles to find out if it was possible to achieve this without those tools. Apparently, there is. I was skeptical but I figured I’d give it a shot.

 

2 lbs potatoes

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp kosher salt

Flour

 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pierce your potatoes with a fork and spread on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until fork tender.
4. Allow to cool
5. Peel the potatoes
6. Using a ricer, food mill or grater (large holes) break down your potatoes
7. Add salt and egg
8. Add flour a little bit at a time; you do not want to over flour.
9. Using a wooden spoon, your hands or a silicon spatula combine the dough. It should not stick to your hands.
10. Flour your surface and knead your dough for 2-3 minutes.
11. Cover with a towel as you work
12. Cut a portion of the dough ball and roll into a snake, about 1/2” in diameter
13. Cut little pillows
14. I am no expert. I used YouTube to find out how to roll the dough on fork tines. You can try this or just leave them as pillows
15. If you’re going to cook them right away, one option is to cook them as you would pasta. Much like fresh pasta, these will float to the top. Once they float, allow them to cook for about a minute before draining.
16. If you’re going to freeze them, flour a cookie sheet and spread the gnocchi there. Allow them to freeze then store them in a ziplock bag.

 

Who knew gnocchi wasn’t that scary after all?

 

 

Homemade Danish Pastry Dough

 

1 standard package of active dry yeast

¼ cup warm water

½ cup milk (room temp)

1 large egg (room temp)

1 tsp salt

2 ½ cup leveled all purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

14 tbsp very cold unsalted butter

 

In a large bowl, proof your yeast. Mix yeast with warm water and sugar. Once foamy, mix in egg, milk and salt. Set aside while you mix dry ingredients. (If foam does not form, your yeast is dead and you should begin again with a new packet.)

 

Pour flour into food processor and add butters, sliced into tabs. Pulse until flour butter is crumbled into flour.

Pour mixture into wet ingredients. Gently fold to just incorporate ingredients. You will see pieces of butter. Turn the dough out and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in fridge for 2-3 hours, or overnight. (If you are in a pinch, you can freeze for about 45 minutes to an hour).

After the time has elapsed, flour a work surface liberally. The dough will be very sticky. Flour your rolling pin, as well. Using the palm of your hand, flatten the dough into a small square. Roll the dough out into approx. a 15” rectangle. It may be necessary to continue to flour as you go along to prevent sticking. Fold the rectangle as if you were folding a letter. Roll out, flour, fold. Repeat three times. This is what creates the flaky layers.

Fold the dough and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes. (Or up to one day).