Tummy Tuesday

I was lucky enough to find some ricotta cheese on sale the same week I found pasta on sale! You know what that means...

Stuffed Shells

I could not find my tried and true recipe, so I just used my imagination.

1 box Pasta Shells
1 Large Container Ricotta Cheese
3 Eggs
2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Cup Frozen Spinach - thawed
1 Jar Spaghetti Sauce
Salt
Garlic Salt or Powder
Parsley
1 Large Freezer Bag



Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta shells and cook for about 12 minutes.

Meanwhile mix together Eggs, Ricotta, Mozzarella and Spinach. Add a couple shakes of Garlic Salt and Parsley.

Take the large freezer bag and put a scoop or two of the cheese mixture in the bottom.

After your 12 minutes are up drain the shells and rinse with cold water.

Cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan with a little of your sauce.

Snip the bottom corner of the bag with your cheese mixture in it. Start squeezing the mixture into your shells and place them in your pan.

Once you have used up all of your cheese mixture cover the shells with the remaining sauce.

You can now refrigerate the shells for a future meal, or pop them in the oven at 350 for about 35-40 minutes.

Add some garlic bread and a salad and you have a complete meal!!

Monday Movie

This week's movie was actually a mini-series, but is now available in movie form via Netflix.

Lost in Austen

Here is the Netflix description:

After a dispute with her boyfriend, Amanda lands in the 19th-century world of author Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. While helping the Bennet sisters find husbands, Amanda accidentally causes problems that could alter the course of the tale. Throughout this British series, Amanda must balance her feelings for Mr. Darcy (Elliot Cowan) with her responsibility to the one of the world's greatest love stories. Jemima Rooper stars.

I didn't read far enough on Netflix to see that this is a United Kingdom drama. I mean, in my mind ALL movies are made in America.

However my ignorance didn't detract from this witty movie one bit!

I found myself thinking about it even after I watched it. I played certain scenes over and over in my mind and imagined how I would have handled certain situations.

This is a must see for any Jane Austen fans, time travel fans, and plain ol' romantics.

I rated it 5 stars.

Tummy Tuesday

Fish version

I made a delicious fish this week and my family has requested that I make it part of our regular menu.

It was so simple and made up that I agreed. It didn't take much time and my daughter, the pickiest eater, had 2nds and 3rds, asked for it for breakfast (was denied) then ate 2 helpings at lunch. Good thing I made alot!

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen tilapia filets.
Lemon Juice
Paprika
Season Salt
3/4 Stick of butter
Pam
9x13 Pan


I purchased the whitefish Tilapia at Aldis. It's in the frozen section. I can't remember the price, but I will edit this post to reflect it next time I go.

I let the filets thaw, then "pammed" a 9 x 13 pan. I lay 4 filets in the bottom of the pan. I didn't want it to be too crowded. Since I made the whole bag I used 2 pans. I think I may have had 3 in one and 4 in another.

I sloshed drizzled lemon juice over all the filets. Then I took about 3/4 stick of butter and cut into "pats". I put a few pats on each filet.

Then I sprinkled season salt and paprika over top. I baked at 350 for about 40 mins total. Depending on how many you are cooking you want to start with 20 mins and go from there. You want them to be flaky but not dried out.

I served them with white rice and JJ's fried zucchini.

Let me know if you make them and what you think!

Homemade Laundry Soap

A few months ago my fellow Frugal Frannie shared with me a recipe for homemade laundry soap.

I must admit this is a nice way to shave a few dollars off your monthly grocery bill. I've been using it for several months now and am still pleased with the product.

Here is the basic recipe:

1/3 Bar of Fels Naptha
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
A 2 Gallon Bucket
A clean Gallon Jug


Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.

I have played with this recipe to suit my hard water. I've added an additional bar of soap grated and added with the Fels Naptha. I've increased the Fels Naptha to 1/2 a bar and I've changed water amounts to be 8 cups to start and dissolve, then 6 cups in the bucket and 1 gal plus 8 cups to the bucket.

When it gels it will look a little like egg drop soup.

I've also added some scent into the mixture. It doesn't seem to scent the clothing, but it smells nice when you start your wash load.

A few more tips:

Do not use fabric softener with a load of towels. This makes the towels develop a film and causes them to not dry as well.

If you fill your fabric softener cup with vinegar in each load the vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener. I promise, your clothes will not smell like vinegar once they come out of the dryer.

Monday Movie

Timer

You can view the trailers and synopsis on the website here


This was a really cute movie. I love Indie flicks and this one was recommended by a trusted friend who shares my interests.

I viewed this movie via Wii Netflix.

This movie raises some great discussion questions.

Would you have a timer, if you could?

What if you were initially disgusted at the first meeting with your soul mate?

Are you betraying your soulmate if you date and/or have sex before you meet them, since you know the exact time you would be meeting them?


+++++Spoiler Alert - Do not read below if you haven't seen the movie++++

I must admit, the thing I thought about the most was "where have I seen the guy that plays Oona's soulmate?" Of course I googled it right away.

No wonder I was drawn to him. He is a main character on one of my fave TV shows, Dexter!

I highly recommend this movie to those that love romances.