Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni

A side of pasta warms the belly on a ho-hum day.

Cannelloni ready for the oven

I enjoy making my own pasta because it absolutely melts in your mouth, but occasionally I use pre-made pasta tubes to speed the plow. Store-bought (gasp) cannelloni tubes were put to the test today. Not bad. Give them a little boil, drain and cool before stuffing and baking.

FILLING

Homemade Ricotta

Chopped Spinach

Pinch of Salt

TOMATO SAUCE

Crushed Tomatoes

Chopped Garlic

Chopped Onions

Marjoram

Basil

Oregano

Italian Parsley

Salt

Smear baking dish with layer of plain tomato sauce. Lay the cannelloni in, smother with the spiced tomato sauce, sprinkle with a cheese topping of your choice.

TOPPING
I used a mix of Parmesan, Mozzarella and Asiago

BAKING
Bake 25 - 30 minutes in a 325 oven.

END RESULT
Melty, crispy, saucy and warming. A nice side for a meal

My well stained baking stone is seen underneath the baking dish here. You don't need one, but I like them because they help the oven retain its heat if the door is ever opened during baking.

Brussels Sprouts

It's getting dark so early, I was out picking sprouts in the pitch tonight. Hence the slightly blurry photo.

The great thing about having sprouts in the garden is, just like lettuce, you only have to pick what you need for dinner. The plant happily keeps on producing despite repeated "de-sproutings."

I've seen several reports on the web suggesting that this vegetable get tastier after it has experienced a frost or two. Truer words were never spoken! It's like eating candy. De-lish.

Simple Joys

Happiness is a brown paper bag. It's the little things.