Baked Ziti Recipe • A Tasty & Satisfying Pasta Dish! | Club Foody

 

Recently, after posting my Turkey Pasta Casserole on social media, a subscriber of mine and I were chatting about not having pasta every week. We both came to the conclusion that we would have serious withdrawal symptoms 🤯.
 
I love pasta… plain and simple! I find it versatile because there is a wide selection of noodles, sauces and combinations that can be combined to create a delicious meal! Do I have a favorite dish? Let’s see 🤔… nope! I can’t pick any as I like them all depending on my mood and the season…
 
On the website, there are over 4 dozen pasta recipes 🍝 and they keep coming! I have an assortment of flavors to please everyone like Meat Manicotti, Fettuccine alle Vongole, Mac and Cheese, Orzo alla Milanese, Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells, Pastitsio, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, etc.
 
With this array of recipes, here’s another one… my Baked Ziti! Super cheesy 🧀 (I’m not kidding you) with a nice bold flavor, this pasta dish is comfort food to the max! It’s loaded with yumminess! This warm, flavorful casserole is the perfect meal to enjoy anytime!
 
As for the base of this recipe, I use a mix of ground beef and hot Italian sausage. The combination is so tasty 😋. Can you use mild? I don’t recommend it. The dish needs a little bite to it and the hot sausage balances it out nicely. To make it from scratch, click on this link… Hot Italian Sausage
 
There’s some dry red wine 🍷 that goes in the mixture along with marinara and passata sauce. People are familiar with Marinara Sauce but not so much when it comes to Passata which is a purée from ripe tomatoes. They’re passed through a fine sieve giving a beautiful flavor of raw tomatoes 🍅 without seeds and skins.
 
This Baked Ziti has a lot of different cheeses in it. I use ricotta, Fontina and Grana Padano although the last one can be substituted with Parmesan cheese. I prefer Fontina over Mozzarella because the flavor is far superior 🥇. It’s a lovely cheese and if you’ve never had Fontina before, you’ll understand after trying it.
 
When it comes to seasonings, I’m pretty conservative with this recipe. There’s just salt 🧂, pepper and Italian seasoning which you can make this blend from scratch by clicking on this link… Italian Seasoning • Homemade Blend. I add some parsley and that’s it. I really want the flavor of the cheeses and the meat to shine through.
 
Obviously, ziti is the pasta choice. I find it’s the best fit for meat sauce and cheeses. On the other hand, penne rigate or rigatoni both have ridges on the noodles and are delicious alternatives! They’re all cylindrical, hollow pastas trapping all the goodness in every bite 😍!
 
If you’re looking for a hearty, bold and tasty casserole, don’t look any further. Packed with deliciousness, this Baked Ziti is an amazing dish to serve during the fall and winter! It’s a lovely casserole recipe that you and your family will love 💖!
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Check out these other flavorful pasta recipes…😀
– Creamy Shrimp Linguine
– Meat Lasagna
– Zucchini Pork Penne
– Turkey Tetrazzini
– Spicy Sausage Penne all’Arrabbiata
– Tuna Casserole
– Pappardelle with Pancetta & Mushrooms
and for even more pasta recipes 🍝, click on this link… Recipe Category • Pasta & Pizza

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/baked-ziti/

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Butterscotch Coffee Creamer Recipe | Club Foody

 

I’m a coffee addict! I love the taste and, with the number of hours I spend every day on the site, a few cups of Joe ☕ keep me alert and boosts my energy. Many times, I like to enhance the taste and pour in some of this…
 
Coffee Creamer!
I make them from scratch! I’m not too crazy about the commercial brands as many use unhealthy trans fats along with chemicals such as cellulose gum or carrageenan both thickening agents, plus preservatives and artificial flavors. Most of them don’t even contain cream or milk 🥛…
 
Once every few months, I spoil us with the “real” homemade stuff! The ones David and I enjoy the most are French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Pumpkin Spice, Caramel Latte, Gingerbread, and this one… Butterscotch Coffee Creamer!
 
Like any of them, this recipe is very easy to make 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 and the flavor is incredible! Smooth and velvety, this is a tasty way to boost your coffee’s flavor! When I want to indulge and spike our morning beverage, this is the condiment that I make! It’s rich so enjoying it in moderation is wise.
 
The process is very simple. The butterscotch chips are slowly melted in a bain marie (double boiler… same difference) along with half-and-half. The only advice I can give you is to play your favorite music 🎶 because it takes time.
 
What about using the microwave? Of course, it will be faster to make but I’m not a fan of it. As much as it would expedite the process, a couple seconds too long and the mixture can be burned. The double boiler might take time but it never fails.
 
How to use it properly…
Add a little bit of water 💧 in a pot before placing a bowl that sits tightly – it can be a stainless steel or glass bowl. It’s important that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water otherwise it will get too hot and might scorch or curdle the ingredients. Leave a little gap in between.
 
Setting the burner on medium-low, the rising steam from the simmering water with slowly warm up the contents. The indirect heat will gently melt or temper the ingredients. I use this method often when melting chocolate 🍫.
 
Making Butterscotch Coffee Creamer is a treat as long as you don’t add butter 🧈. There’s already some in the chips. Many make the mistake of adding some and every time it’s transferred to the fridge, the texture solidifies due to the butter.
 
When the chips are finally melted – I’m serious, it takes time! -, the rest of the ingredients go in including milk. I use 1% although 2% is still reasonable. I highly suggest to stay away from homo as the mixture is already thick enough.
 
If you’re a true coffee lover, don’t spoil it with the chemical poison sold at the store and enjoy a nice cup of Joe topped with this decadent Butterscotch Coffee Creamer…
Enjoy! ☕
 
Check out these other delicious non-alcoholic beverage recipes… 😀
– Tropical Sunshine Smoothie
– Vietnamese Iced Coffee
– Orange Julius Copycat
– Indian Masala Chai
– Garden Vegetable Juice
– Agua de Jamaica
– Best Homemade Hot Cocoa
and for even more beverage recipes 🧃, click on this link… Recipe Category • Beverage

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/butterscotch-coffee-creamer/

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Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup Recipe • Quick & Tasty! | Club Foody

 

I enjoy Thai food! It has its own unique style and sets itself from apart from other cuisine. It often uses light ingredients and incorporates many layers of aromatic flavors in its dishes. The results are a nice well-balanced ⚖ combination of spices and other ingredients wrapped together exquisitely!
 
I have a few recipes that I’ve already shared like Pad Thai Noodles, Yellow Curry Paste, an inspiredpesto recipe, Red Curry Shrimp, Sweet Chili Chicken Bites, Thai Chicken Curry, etc. and more to come like Thai Glass Noodle Salad with Shrimp (Yam Woon Sen), Drunken Noodles, Thai Larb Salad 🥗, and Fish Curry.
 
Another one that David and I really like is my Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup! During cold weather, this comforting soup 🥣 fits perfectly! With delicious ingredients and seasonings, this is a great recipe to make for the fall and winter.
 
When going to Thai restaurants, I ordered Tom Yum which is a spicy soup made with a clear broth and shrimp 🍤 although other proteins can be used. Another one that I liked having was Tom Kha Gai. This one is made with coconut milk and chicken. This is when I decided to take some ingredients from these two to make this recipe…
 
This is the best of both soups by integrating a few ingredients from each. There are lemongrass stalks, onions, oyster mushrooms 🍄, garlic, ginger, shrimp, etc. I use coconut milk with chicken broth and the combination is fantastic! Without overstressing it, this Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup is loaded with flavor!
 
There are also some bird’s eye chilies 🌶 and I know they’re not for everyone. These little guys are pretty hot but if they’re omitted or by adding a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes, the soup will still be fabulous. Traditionally, galangal is the right ingredient to use but so hard to find therefore substitute ginger.
 
To balance the dish, I like adding coconut sugar 🥥. As a foody, I have a lot of ingredients in my pantry that most people don’t have. Don’t worry about it and use brown sugar or palm sugar instead. Overall, it won’t make a big impact on the taste.
 
Let’s talk about an ingredient that is surely unpleasant to the nose… fish sauce! I realize it’s smelly but the last time I checked, fish 🐟 doesn’t smell like roses 🌹 plus it’s fermented. In Thai cuisine, this condiment is used widely. This basic ingredient is a must have and really adds flavor to the soup.
 
From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes and you have a delicious comforting soup to enjoy! This colorful Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup is loaded with yumminess and healthy 💚 as well! If you enjoy Thai cuisine, you’ll love this recipe…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are several more tasty soup recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Turkey Noodle Soup
– Creamy Tomato Basil & Parmesan Soup
– Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
– West Coast Smoked Salmon Chowder
– Avgolemono Chicken Soup
– Cream of Celery Soup
– French Onion Soup Gratinée
– Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup
and for even more soup recipes 🥣, click on this link… Recipe Category • Soups & Chowders

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/thai-coconut-shrimp-soup/

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Butternut Squash Ham & Leek Quiche Recipe | Club Foody

 

We have friends from all over the country and in the states plus our families live in different provinces. When they come over to visit and stay with us, I like to be well-prepared. Of course, the house is “spick and span” 🧼🧹 and I also plan most of the menus.
 
One of the most important meals I like to make ahead is breakfast. After a night of laughter and a few drinks 🍷🥃, I don’t really feel to make anything the next morning. A pot of coffee ☕, a couple aspirins and I’m good to go. Now with company over, this is not a way to be a good hostess…
 
I like to rely on my “pre-made” recipes like Zucchini Bread 🥒🍞, a nice Breakfast Casserole, Homemade Pancake Mix, Torta Pasqualina • Easter Pie, Pumpkin Chai Bread, Pancetta Vegetable Frittata, Homemade Granola, a pot of Old-Fashioned Baked Beans with Bacon, etc.
 
Another kind of food item I depend on is quiche. Besides my Quiche Lorraine, here’s another one… Butternut Squash Ham & Leek Quiche! Easy to make, this dish has so much flavor! With vegetables, ham, seasonings and cheese, this is a delicious way to start the day 🌞!
 
Winter squash is lovely and I love cooking with any of them. When it comes to the butternut variety, I make soups, use it to stuff homemade ravioli, make a nice curry dish 🍲 with it, and so on. It might look intimidating to prep but, in fact it’s easy. Click here to see how… How to Peel Butternut Squash • 2 Easy Ways
 
Leeks are another favorite of mine! I like using them in lieu of onions 🧅 or shallots. With their subtle taste, they’re perfect for casseroles, soups, stews or when I make this Butternut Squash Ham & Leek Quiche. Prepping them is uncomplicated and here’s the link for it… How to Trim, Cut & Clean Leeks
 
If it’s made the same morning you’ll be serving it, simply follow the directions. It’s slightly different when making it ahead. After the mixture is poured in the pie crust and leveled, wrap the quiche and transfer to the fridge until ready to cook. When it’s time to bake, remove the wrap, bring it to room temperature (about 30 minutes), cover the edges with a pie crust shield and proceed accordingly.
 
Quiche’s are one of the most convenient and versatile dishes! They’re perfect to enjoy for breakfast or brunch, also ideal for lunch and dinner with a nice green salad 🥗 on the side like a tasty Seafood Quiche… it all depends on the filling. There are so many flavorful recipes like Mushroom Quiche, Chicken Niçoise Quiche, Spinach & Tomato Quiche, and many others.
 
To me, Butternut Squash Ham & Leek Quiche fits perfect for Thanksgiving 🦃 and the Holidays 🎄! It has all the ingredients that fall and winter offers us. Serve this healthy and mouthwatering dish next time you have guests staying over. Everyone will love it including you!
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Here are more scrumptious breakfast recipes for you to try…😀
– Angel Eggs on a Cloud
– Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Buns
– Soufflé Mexican Omelet
– Coconut Waffles
– Scones
– Breakfast Sausage Muffin Cups
– Homemade Pop Tarts
and for even more breakfast & brunch recipes 🍳🥞🥓, click on this link… Recipe Category • Breakfast & Brunch

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/butternut-squash-ham-leek-quiche/

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Orange Chicken Recipe • Popular Takeout Item! | Club Foody

 

I’ve always liked Chinese takeout 🥡! When David and I moved in together, I decided to give it a try and make our favorites from scratch. The reason why I started doing it is because every time we had some, the next day, I was 3 to 5 pounds heavier. Was it the fact that there was too much sodium?
 
My first attempt was Singapore Noodles 🍜 then I moved on to Char Siu Pork. From there, it was Udon Noodles Soup, Crab Rangoon, Wonton Soup, Gyoza, Mandarin Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Moo Shu Pork, and the list goes on. There’s another one that we devour each time I make it and it’s Orange Chicken!
 
This is unquestionably the most popular take-out dish besides Egg Rolls, Fried Rice, and Hot & Sour Soup! With a lovely sweet and tangy orange sauce with perfectly crispy fried chicken pieces, this is a recipe that should be in your folder! It’s such a tasty dish 😋!
 
There are a few steps to do but it goes pretty fast…
First is to make the orange sauce. As much as I enjoy freshness in my recipes, I prefer using bottled orange juice. I find the taste is slightly more concentrated than fresh 🍊 therefore intensifying the sauce with more orange flavor. You can use either one, fresh or bottled. I also add orange zest.
 
The batter comes next followed by the egg mixture. After cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces, they’re coated in the eggs 🥚 and then dredged in the flour mixture. In the video, I used breasts but other times I switch to thighs which is also a great choice.
 
Now, this is how I learned to make the best Orange Chicken! I “double fry” it. I bring the temperature of my oil between 350-355ºF and fry the chicken pieces in batches for about 2 minutes ⏳. I transfer them to a wire rack sitting on a baking sheet lined with paper towels while frying another batch.
 
The second time, I increase the oil to 385ºF and fry them again. What it does is to give the pieces a nice golden-brown color and also make them crispier. I do “double frying” especially when fried food is tossed in a sauce because I want to have nice crispy pieces… not soggy!
 
Making Orange Chicken from scratch tastes better than any Chinese restaurant! Everything is fresher, you’re in control of the sodium 🧂 amount plus there’s no msg! Next time you’re craving this famous food item, simply make it at home… you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how amazing it is!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Here are several more Chinese inspired recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Sweet Pork Ribs
– Szechuan Ginger Chicken
– Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs
– Cashew Chicken
– Sweet & Sour Pineapple Pork
– Crispy Ginger Beef
– Hunan Chicken
– Quick & Easy Bok Choy
and for even more chicken recipes 🐓, click on this link… Recipe Category • Poultry

For ingredient amountsm directions, and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/orange-chicken/

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube