Stuffed Manicotti and Homemade Breadsticks

This is something new that we tried last week and LOVED, even W who doesn't like cheese!

We found out that nearly everyone likes it a different way, so tonight we made individual

Stuffed Manicotti's!

Stuffed Manicotti

Spaghetti sauce of choice

Alfredo sauce of choice

1 lb. Ricotta cheese

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg, well beaten

2 Tbl. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. Thyme

1 tsp. Marjoram

salt and pepper to taste

8 ounces manicotti

Romano cheese

In medium bowl, mix Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, Parsley, Thyme, and Marjoram. Add salt and pepper to taste; set aside. Cook manicotti in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and rinse in cold water. Put cheese mixture in quart size Ziploc freezer bag and cut off one corner. Use as a pastry bag to stuff manicotti with the cheese mixture.

Pour small amount of spaghetti/alfredo sauce in bottom of 13X9 baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti in a layer on sauce, overlapping slightly. Pour remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle with Romano cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

For our individuals, I put 3 manicotti per mini loaf pan. There was just enough filling for 12 shells. We like it served with our homemade breadsticks. Yummy!

Homemade Breadsticks

2 1/2 cups hot water

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, oil, lard, or Crisco

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbls. yeast, Saf instant

5+ cups of flour

In a bowl add water, sugar, oil, salt, 2 cups flour. Mix well with a spoon and add yeast and 3 cups of flour. Mix well and then dump out on a floured surface. Start kneading by folding the closest edge to you away from you towards the furthest edge. With the ball of the hand, press the folded edge into the dough, turning the dough around as you complete the fold. Keep repeating the process adding flour as needed, being careful not to add too much flour. After the dough is well kneaded, about 6-8 minutes, place in oiled bowl and cover and let rise to double. Punch down. Divide dough in 1/2. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Cut into strips with pizza cutter. Place on jelly roll pan. Melt 1 cube butter and brush onto each breadstick. Sprinkle with garlic salt and cheese if desired. We use Mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

(Recipe from Chef Brad)

"Mangiamo!"