Baked Eyeballs Casserole

From Favorite Brand Name Recipes, Vol. 7, No. 70, October 12, 2004.
Serves 8

Ingredients

1 jar (27.5 oz.) Prego© Hearty Meat Sauce – Authentic Italian Sausage 15 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese
¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese 8 c. hot cooked bow tie pasta (about 7 c. uncooked)
8 oz. small fresh mozzarella balls (about 1″) 2 tbsp sliced pitted ripe olives

Directions

  1. Spray 3 qt. shallow baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Mix 1½ c. sauce, ricotta cheese, ½ c. Parmesan cheese & pasta in prepared dish.  Spread remaining sauce over pasta mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.  Cover.
  3. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes or until hot.
  4. Arrange cheese balls randomly over pasta mixture.  Place sliced olive on each cheese ball.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Chef’s Note: If fresh mozzarella balls are not available, substitute 1 package (8 oz.) fresh mozzarella.  Cut crosswise into thirds.  Cut each third in 6 wedges, for triangle shaped eyes.

Puebla Chicken and Potato Stew

Chicken Stew Mexican Style by Lynda Giddens on FlickrAlso called Tinga Poblana de Pollo y Papas
Submitted by Americo
Serves 6-8

Ingredients

2 lbs. chicken thighs (with skin & bone) 6 c. water
1 large white onion, quartered 2 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled 14 oz. whole tomatoes in juice (1 can)
4 tsp Chipotle chilies in adobo (chopped, canned) 1 tsp dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 ½ oz. dried Spanish chorizo, finely chopped (1 link)
1 lb. boiling potatoes 2 oz. queso fresco, crumbled (½ c.)
avocado corn tortillas

Directions

  1. Bring chicken, water, 2 onion quarters, & 1 tsp salt to a boil, covered, in a 4-5 qt. pot over moderately high heat.  Boil 10 minutes, then remove from heat & let stand, covered, until chicken is just cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Transfer chicken to a plate, reserving broth with onion.  When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred chicken, discarding skin & bones.
  2. While chicken is cooking, heat a dry well-seasoned small cast iron skillet over moderate heat until hot, then brown garlic & remaining 2 onion quarters on all sides, turning with tongs, about 5 minutes.  Peel garlic & transfer with onion to a blender.  Add tomatoes with juice, chilies, & oregano, then puree until smooth.
  3. Cook chorizo (spicy cured pork sausage) in oil in a 12″ heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring, until fat is rendered, about 2 minutes.  Carefully add puree (it will splatter & steam) & cook, stirring frequently, until thick, about 10 minutes.
  4. Peel potatoes & cut into ¾” pieces, then add to reserved broth with remaining salt.  Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are almost tender, about 10 minutes.  Add potatoes & onions to chorizo mixture along with 2 cups broth.  Stir in chicken & simmer 10 minutes.  Serve sprinkled with cheese.  Garnish with avocado slices & warm corn tortillas, if desired.

Chef’s Note: Ricotta salata or farmer cheese can be substituted for queso fresco.  The remainder of the chicken broth not used can be saved for later use.

Old World Manicotti

Submitted by Trish
Serves 6

Ingredients

12 large manicotti shells 4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 c. ricotta cheese 6 tbsp chopped fresh basil or
1 (26 oz.) jar prepared spaghetti sauce, divided 2 tbsp dried basil
½ c. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions

  1. Manicotti Before Cooking by I Believe I Can Fry on FlickrPreheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13″ x 9″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels.
  3. For filling, in medium bowl, stir together 3 c. mozzarella with the ricotta & fresh basil. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture.
  4. Spoon 2 c. spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
  5. Bake manicotti for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan; bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.