Artichoke Manicotti In Pesto Cream Food

CHEESY PESTO MANICOTTI

Steps:

• In a food processor add: fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, 3 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Pulse until ingredients are chopped.
• With the food processor on low blend, slowly pour the olive oil through the pour spout into the chopped ingredients, until fully combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. (See note #4)
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook manicotti pasta al dente according to package instruction. Do not overcook or they will fall apart when stuffing. Drain and set aside (you can add a touch of olive oil if they begin to stick to each other)
• In a large bowl add: 12oz ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup grated parmesan, 1 large egg, 3/4 cup of freshly made pesto, and 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Using a silicone spatula, mix all the ingredients until they are fully combined.
• In a baking dish, add 3/4 of the red sauce to the bottom of the dish and spread it out evenly, set aside. (See note #5)
• Using a gallon zip lock bag, spoon in the cheesy pesto mixture into the bag and push it all to one corner. Cut a hole in the bottom corner of the bag that will fit the inside circle of the manicotti. Grab an al dente cooked manicotti, insert the tip of the bag inside, squeeze until the manicotti is filled, then place the manicotti in the red sauce inside the baking dish. Repeat until all manicotti are filled.
• Once all the manicotti are filled, drizzle with the remaining 1/4 of the red sauce, the remaining 1/4 cup of the pesto. Top with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 3 tbsp of parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you want the cheese more browned, broil for a few seconds keeping an eye not to burn it. Carefully remove from the oven, top with fresh basil, and serve.

ARTICHOKE PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• In a skillet wide enough to hold them in a single layer, toast the pine nuts over medium heat, stirring often, until golden (3-5 minutes).
• Pour pine nuts into a small bowl and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, onion, Dijon mustard, garlic, nutmeg, and 1/2 cup vegetable broth.
• Process until purèed.
• In a 5-6 quart pan, cook fettuccine according to package directions until just tender to the bite.
• Drain pasta and return to pan.
• Over medium heat, at 1/4 cup vegetable broth to pasta.
• Using 2 forks, lift and turn pasta until broth is hot (about 30 seconds).
• Pour artichoke pesto over pasta.
• Sprinkle with parsley, pine nuts and red pepper flakes.
• Mix gently.
• Add remaining broth if seems dry.

BAKED MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Saute onions, garlic, ground sausage, and beef until meat is well browned and crumbled.
• Prepare Manicotti shells as per package directions except cut the cook time in HALF.
• Drain and cover with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent the shells from cracking.
• To the ground pork/beef mixture add the spinach and ricotta cheese.
• When the mixture is cool, add the beaten eggs.
• Spread 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Gently drain the manicotti shells and carefully stuff each one with the meat and cheese mixture; place shells in prepared dish.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare the white sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir in flour and chicken bouillon.
• Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to bubble.
• Stir in half and half and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
• Pour or ladle the sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
• Stir the basil into the remaining spaghetti sauce.
• Carefully pour or ladle spaghetti sauce over the white sauce, trying to layer the sauces without mixing.
• Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
• Remove from oven, uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes more.