Menu Wednesday #15 - Baked Ziti

Welcome all who come seeking warmth and comfort from the cold and crazy days of winter 2009. I don't know about you, but I am craving comfort. It is about 20 degrees outside, and that's warm for the last couple of days. I've been inside listening to the news drone on and on about the economy and business and credit crisis until I could scream, or maybe just crawl under the covers and hope things will be better when I emerge. A girl can dream, can't she?

So, naturally, when I thought about a menu for today comfort food came to mind first. Something simple, easy to make and easy on the economy. Something gooey with carbs and cheese and crunch and chocolate. How about Baked Ziti - fast, easy, cheesy pasta. And some crunchy, savory Sauteed Green Beans - green is hope and thoughts of spring. And finally - chocolate will make it all better - as in Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Hunker down, stay warm and dig in.


BAKED ZITI
1 box ziti or penne pasta
1 lb. ground beef (optional)
16 oz. ricotta cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan

Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta; drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Brown ground beef and drain fat; add to bowl with pasta. Stir in ricotta, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese until well blended. Pour into a large 13 x 9-inch baking dish – or smaller dishes to freeze for later – and sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly around sides. Serves 8 – 10.

SAUTÉED GREEN BEANS
1 lb. fresh French green beans (see note*)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. diced onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Wash and trim green beans. In a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in chopped garlic and then add green beans. Sauté and toss to mix a few times. Cook until onion and beans just begin to brown. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper and serve. *Note: French green beans, or Haricots verts, are small, thin green beans that can be found in many grocery stores. If not available where you shop, use larger fresh green beans and steam them for about 1-2 minutes before sautéing.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 c. flour
12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. dried cherries, chopped
1/2 c. pecans, chopped

Mix butter and sugars in mixer; add eggs and vanilla. Add salt and baking soda; then add flour. Dough will be stiff. Stir in chips, cherries and pecans by hand. Drop by scoopfuls on parchment lined sheet. Bake at 350 degrees. Medium scoop makes 40-45 cookies, 12-14 minutes baking. Large scoop makes 18-22 cookies, 16-20 minutes baking. Do not over bake! When edges start to appear golden brown, remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for at least 10 minutes. The cookies will continue to finish baking on the sheet.

SHOPPING LIST for Menu Wednesday #15
Baked Ziti
Sauteed Green Beans
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Produce
fresh French green beans - 1 lb.
onion - 1
garlic - 2 cloves

Meat
ground beef - 1 lb.

Pantry
ziti or penne pasta - 1 box
spaghetti sauce - 1 jar
olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
sugar - 1 c.
brown sugar - 1 c.
vanilla - 1 1/2 tsp.
baking soda - 1 tsp.
flour - 3 c.
semi-sweet chocolate chips - 12 oz.
dried cherries - 1/2 c.
pecans - 1/2 c.

Dairy
ricotta cheese - 16 oz.
mozzarella - 2 c.
Parmesan - 1/2 c.
butter 1 1/2 c.
eggs - 2