Baked Ziti

In it’s simplest form baked ziti is a great dish. It can be expanded to include all sorts of meats and cheeses making this, the dish you can customize on your own and make a family tradition.

This recipe for baked ziti goes back many years to when I worked in a bowling alley. The rather crusty old cook use to make big pans of ziti for the end of season catering parties for the different leagues. It was my first introduction to ziti and I loved it. Years later when I began to cook I tried to replicate it but could never quite get it right. I tried all sorts of recipes adding meatballs, sausage, ricotta, layering it with cheese like a lasagna but none of them came close until one day by mistake I spilled a cup of Parmesan into the sauce. That’s all it took,it was the very cheesy sauce added to the cooked pasta and mixed,letting those flavors soak into the pasta that was the key. It was really that simple.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti

1 lb. Ziti
3-4 cups (approximate) of your favorite tomato sauce
1-2 cups Parmesan cheese
12 oz. (approximate) shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup salt (approximate for boiling pasta)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions for Baked Ziti

In a stock pot large enough to cook the ziti add sufficient salt to create a very salty water solution. Cook the pasta to an ‘AL Dente” state.

Drain the ziti, place into a large bowl add 1-2 cups of the sauce and the Parmesan and stir to combine. Continue to add sauce until the pasta is coated but not very wet. Taste, add salt and pepper and more cheese if necessary. Add about 1/2 the mozzarella and stir to combine. Pour into a 9 X 13 inch pan and level.

Ladle more sauce over the top to cover the pasta and prevent it drying up while baking, and then spread the remaining mozzarella over the top.

Cover with foil. Bake at 375º for about 45 minutes until hot. remove foil for the last 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and brown lightly.

When cooked remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes. Serve with a salad and extra sauce on side for those who like it wetter.

You can spice it up by adding thinly sliced grilled italian sausages or sliced meatballs to the ziti.

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
Pyrex Basics 3 Quart Glass Oblong Baking Dish, Clear 9 x 13 inch
OXO Good Grips Box Grater
Extra Wide Spatula Turner, Heat-Resistant Nylon Pancake Grill Spatula Turner, Stainless Steel Neck, Cool-Touch Handle

I think it would be 100 % better with sausage or meatballs but it still was quite tasty! 5 paws but next time a litlle meat wouldn’t kill you!

Baked Ziti

2014-10-21 17:48:19

Serves 6

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Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

45 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

45 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

1 lb. Ziti
3-4 cups (approximate) of your favorite tomato sauce
1-2 cups Parmesan cheese
12 oz. (approximate) shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup salt (approximate for boiling pasta)
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a stock pot large enough to cook the ziti add sufficient salt to create a very salty water solution. Cook the pasta to an 'AL Dente" state.
Drain the ziti, place into a large bowl add 1-2 cups of the sauce and the Parmesan and stir to combine. Continue to add sauce until the pasta is coated but not very wet. Taste, add salt and pepper and more cheese if necessary. Add about 1/2 the mozzarella and stir to combine. Pour into a 9 X 13 inch pan and level.
Ladle more sauce over the top to cover the pasta and prevent drying up while baking, and then spread the remaining mozzarella over the top.
Cover with foil. Bake at 375º for about 45 minutes until hot. remove foil for the last 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and brown lightly.
When cooked remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes. Serve with a salad and extra sauce on side for those who like it wetter.
You can spice it up by adding thinly sliced grilled italian sausages or sliced meatballs to the ziti.

Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site. It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .

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October 16, 2014November 14, 2014

Sweet Dijonnaise Sauce for Ham

Looking for a great sauce for ham. Well here it is. Slightly sweet and slightly tangy is is a perfect accompaniment for ham. Easy and quick to prepare I think you’ll love it.

Ingredients for Sweet Dijonnaise Sauce

1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 cup of milk warmed
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 Tbs dried Tarragon
1 tbs corn starch

Directions for Sweet Dijonnaise Sauce

In a small sauce pan heat the milk on medium heat. In another sauce pan place the sugar, mustard, vinegar and tarragon and on low heat melt. Once all is melted and slightly liquid add the corn starch and whisk to fully incorporate. When the corn starch is fully Incorporated add the warmed milk and slowly bring it up to a boil stirring constantly. Once it reaches near the boiling point it will begin to thicken.

When the sauce is thickened serve on the side with your choice of ham.

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
Cuisinart 719-14 Chef’s Classic Stainless 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover
OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Whisk
Onesource 8-Piece Deluxe Stainless Steel Measuring Cup and Measuring Spoon Set

A sweet sauce and ham to go with it! Life can’t get any better. 5 paws!

Sweet Dijonnaise Sauce

2014-10-14 17:58:35

Serves 4

A sweet sauce for Ham or Ham Steak

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Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

10 min

Total Time

20 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

10 min

Total Time

20 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 cup of milk warmed
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 Tbs dried Tarragon
1 tbs corn starch

Instructions

In a small sauce pan heat the milk on medium heat. In another sauce pan place the sugar, mustard, vinegar and tarragon and on low heat melt. Once all is melted and slightly liquid add the corn starch and whisk to fully incorporate. When the corn stach is fully incoporated add the warmed milk and slowly bring it up to a boil stirring constantly. Once it reaches near the boiling point it will begin to thicken.
When the sauce is thickened serve on the side with your choice of ham.

Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site. It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.

October 12, 2014November 14, 2014

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is an absolutely great vegetable ! My introduction to it was circular slices baked in a brown sugar butter sauce, delicious but a slightly high caloric count dish. Stuffed Acorn Squash is a dish with a very nice presentation that makes a satisfying main course.

This is another of those not written in stone recipes, make it with what ever type of meat you’d like, or make it strictly veggie like a ratatouille in a shell, choices are endless, just awaiting your creative ideas to make this recipe your own.

It’s not a quick throw together meal, but it’s certainly worth the effort.

Ingredients for Stuffed Acorn Squash

The ingredients here are for one squash serving two people.

1 Acorn Squash cut in half, seeded, and baked, and cooked squash scooped out
2 Tbs butter melted
1/2 pound ground beef
1 shallot minced
1 clove garlic minced
salt & pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs approximate
Olive oil

Directions for Stuffed Acorn Squash

Preheat oven to 450º

Cut the squash in half lengthwise. If the squash does not sit flat slice off a small section of the bottom to give it a flat surface, being careful not to slice too deeply into the flesh. Scoop out the seeds and brush the inside with the melted butter and lightly salt and pepper. Place into a baking dish and bake cut side up for about 30 minutes.

Once cooked, remove the squash and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, scoop out the insides carefully trying not to pierce the skin. Place the squash into a bowl.

While the squash is cooking ,cook the ground beef. When the ground beef is cooked drain to remove excess grease.

Add the ground beef, shallot, garlic,coriander, cumin and mozzarella to the squash stir to combine thoroughly. Taste at this point and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Turn heat in oven to 350º

Fill both squash halves with the mixture, dividing equally to both halves. Sprinkle the Panko Crumbs and a little Olive oil over the top of both. Place into a baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes until hot and the crumbs are browned.

Carefully remove from baking dish when done and serve. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream if you like.

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
Pyrex Bakeware 4.8 Quart Oblong Baking Dish, Clear
OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Spoon

100_3189 — Offical V.C.W.P. and Taste Tester & 100% S.A.P.P.

Tastings have been so sparse of late I was beginning to think I was out of a job. So I am now also the Official V.C.W.P. (Very Cute Watch Puppy), although some in the neighborhood call me the “snoop dog”, and others “the barker”. The squash thing, sans the shell, was quite beefy with a hint of cheese, so it’s a 5 paw effort and now back to guard duty.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

2014-10-12 14:54:39

Serves 2

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Save Recipe

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

1 hr

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

1 hr

Ingredients

The ingredients here are for one squash serving two people.
1 Acorn Squash cut in half, seeded, and baked, and cooked squash scooped out
2 Tbs butter melted
1/2 pound ground beef
1 shallot minced
1 clove garlic minced
salt & pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp corriander
1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs approximate
Olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450º
Cut the squash in half lengthwise. If the squash does not sit flat slice off a small section of the bottom to give it a flat surface, being careful not to slice too deeply into the flesh. Scoop out the seeds and brush the inside with the melted butter and lightly salt and pepper. Place into a baking dish and bake cut side up for about 30 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the squash and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, scoop out the insides carefully trying not to pierce the skin. Place the squash into a bowl.
While the squash is cooking ,cook the ground beef. When the ground beef is cooked drain to remove excess grease.
Add the ground beef, shallot, garlic,coriander, cumin and mozzarella to the squash stir to combine thoroughly. Taste at this point and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Turn heat in oven to 350º
Fill both squash halves with the mixture, dividing equally to both halves. Sprinkle the Panko Crumbs and a little Olive oil over the top of both. Place into a baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes until hot and the crumbs are browned.
Carefully remove from baking dish when done and serve. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream if you like.

Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site. It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.