Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

We are often told in magazines, by all the "experts" that we should think about our motives behind our eating and in doing so we would better be able to manage our eating.  I am inclined to agree with them... at least from my own perspective.   Food is something of an issue at our house; Steve and I were just talking about it the other day, saying "what in the world is up with all the food issues we often seem to have at our house".  Much of that conversation stems from our last 3 children, who came to us as adolescents, bringing with them pain and fear from their own heartaches,  resulting in a huge barrage of emotions that often exposed themselves through food.   It made me think about our emotional connection with food.  I know I certainly have an emotional connection  with it; especially when it comes to chocolates and sweet treats ... and I am one of those people who loves to eat when I am happy and loves to eat when I am sad.  Certainly a quality that can make me fat, and believe me I have had my own "battle  of the bulge" because of it.  But, with that said, how can you remove yourself from that emotional connection with food?  Of course we must eat to live,  nourish our bodies etc..  but I believe that we were created with the emotional connection to food.  Babies are soothed as soon as they are born with their first little portion of Mama's milk, all the great moments of our lives are celebrated with it, even the death of a loved one is mourned with it., and  in heaven, there is wonderful wedding feast being prepared for us.   For me personally, "Comfort Food" is a delightful thing to share with those I love.  It connects our hearts with good feelings and happy memories.

So yes, we do indulge in comfort food in our home, and we let it soothe hearts and comfort us when the occasion comes around;  Having babies is certainly one of those "occasions".    I thought I would share some of the comfort foods we have been eating around here at Jon and Marie's.   I was able to help Marie put some of these meals in the freezer for future dinners, and give her a little extra help now, especially when there are two babies.  I remember the days of having more than one baby.... lots of work.  Something that "comforts" my heart, is knowing that Marie and Jon and the babies will have meals already prepared on those busy and hectic days.

 Macaroni and Cheese

Crepes

Potato soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Stuffed Shells

1 large box of large pasta shells (I actually use two boxes... fill them until I am out of the cheese mixture, and use left over shells to make chicken and noodles.... another favorite comfort food).

32 oz Ricotta Cheese

1 1/2 lbs  shredded Mozerella Cheese (reserve about 3/4 cup to sprinkle over the top)

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

Olive oil

1/2 medium onion chopped

2-3 cloves fresh garlic crushed and chopped

1 28oz can tomato sauce

1 16 oz can diced tomatoes 

fresh or dried basil

Directions

Cook shells in boiling water until soft, but still slightly underdone.  

Drain and cool.

Mix together all the cheeses then stuff all the shells.  Placing them one at a time in an olive oiled baking dish. Spread sauce liberally over shells.  Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees until bubbly (about 30 minutes)  Sprinkle with reserved mozerella and bake uncovered 10  minutes more.

For Sauce

Saute onion and garlic in a liberal amount of olive oil until slightly soft.   Add tomatoes and tomato sauce and basil.  Simmer gently 15- 20  minutes.  Pour over pasta

More Recipes Next Week.......