In an effort to keep another new years resolution alive and kicking we've been buying more fruits and veggies while grocery shopping (ya know, trying to do the outside perimeter of the grocery store only, which is where the healthier things are) and I've also actually planned some meals to go along with eating out less.  I NEVER cook.  I don't claim to be a good cook.  I don't even really like cooking.  I don't like taking the time to cook.  But we've tried 2 new recipes and they turned out pretty good. Remember you can modify these to use low fat or fat free options of the ingredients.  I am going to list the recipe as it is in the cookbook.  Enjoy!

Ricotta-Spinach Calzones

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese                                   

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese                              

1 tablespoon cornstarch                                              

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano                                        

1/2 cup marinara sauce

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 tube refrigerated pizza crust                                                                                        

1. Preheat oven to 400.  In small bowl combine: ricotta, mozzarella, cornstarch and oregano; stir until blended.  Set aside.

2. Spray large cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.  Unroll pizza dough in center of cookie sheet.  With fingertips, press dough into 14" by 10" rectangle.

3. Spread cheese mixture lengthwise on half of dough, leaving 1-inch border.  Spoon marinara sauce over cheese mixture; top with spinach.  Fold other half of dough over filling.  Pinch edges together to seal.

4. Bake calzone until well browned on top, 20-25 minutes.  Cut calzone into 4 equal pieces to serve.

Greg wanted chicken on his half... I made my half with the spinach as called for in the recipe.

The end result... it was really good.  Next time I think I'd do less ricotta and more mozzarella. And cutting it into 4 portions as the recipe says is way outta wack.  We had enough to probably feed 4 adults and 2 kids.  It turned out much larger than we expected.  I steamed broccoli as a side dish.

Manicotti

12 lg manicotti shells
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
6 tablespoons of fresh basil or 2 tablespoons of basil
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese
1 26 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  
2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  Rinse with cool water.  Let pasta dry on paper towel.

3. For filing: In medium bowl stir together 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and basil.  Stuff pasta shells.  
4. Spoon 2 cups of 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 min; sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Bake for 10 more minutes. 

Serve immediately.

This is kind of a bad picture... but it turned out SO good.  I love it and will for sure make it again. We made steamed asparagus as a side dish.   

Do you have any recipes your family enjoys and you'd be willing to share?