Celentano Three Cheese Tortellini

I've been told that making your own pasta by had is worth the effort. Maybe, but until I have a free day to "try" my skills I will continue to purchase Celentano frozen cheese tortellini. The package is small, only 13 ounces, so I have to cook two in order to have enough for everyone. And we love it.

I have served it with marinara, or olive oil with parmesan both hot and cold, but my favorite pairing by far is with homemade Alfredo sauce. The pasta is amazing on par with anything you would find in a restaurant. In fact, it is possible this pasta is served at restaurants which don't prepare their pasta from scratch.

Now for the sauce, please please PLEASE don't ever buy an Alfredo sauce in a jar. Please make your own sauce and experience a taste far superior to anything available for purchase at your supermarket. The Alfredo recipe I've posted here is without the spinach and can be adjusted to spicy or mild depending on your preference (but I wouldn't leave the pepper flakes out altogether). It will keep for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator and individual portions reheat wonderfully. Enjoy!

Ranch Fries

1 lb frozen french fries
2 T ranch dressing mix, recommended: Hidden Valley Ranch

Preheat oven to 400°. Place frozen fries in single layer on foil lined baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until desired brownness. Immediately transfer hot fries to large bowl and sprinkle with dry ranch mix. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately, serves 6.

Chef's Note: Be sure to add the dressing mix while fries are still hot, the heat helps the seasoning stick to the fries.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Just so you know, I don't always make meals from scratch. I realize this may forever change your perception of my culinary skills, but there are products that are mass produced that are just as good, if not better, than I can make them. For example, I'm not ready to try making my own sweet & sour sauce so I'm going to buy one at the market that's tasty and my family will like.

And don't feel bad for buying frozen meatballs, they're cheaper than buying the ingredients and making them yourself. Plus they cook in 5 minutes, so lunch is ready in record time. And mommy's happy when everyone's tummy is full.

20-30 frozen meatballs
1 jar sweet & sour sauce, recommended: La Choy
4 c white rice, prepared
2 c frozen broccoli flowrettes, prepared
red pepper flakes, optional

Place frozen meatballs in microwave safe dish with lid. Pour jar of sweet & sour sauce over meatballs. Cover dish with lid and microwave on high 6-8 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.

While meatballs are cooking, place frozen broccoli in steamer basket and cook over boiling water until bright green, approximately 4 minutes.

In shallow bowl, dish rice and cover with meatballs and top with broccoli. Drizzle with sauce and red pepper if desired. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Sister Schubert's Parker House Yeast Rolls

Today is one of those rare Arizona days cool enough to enjoy warm soup and my hubby specifically requested I make Toscana Soup. I, eager to oblige, set about to make the soup but I wanted homemade bread to have as well. Since I wasn't home all morning to prepare fresh bread, I decided to try some frozen rolls that I had purchased at the recommendation of my sister in law.

One large pot of soup and one empty roll tin later, I confidently proclaim Sister Schubert's Parker House yeast rolls are the best frozen rolls I have ever had the pleasure of re-heating, and right out of the oven they remind me of the homemade refrigerator rolls I had as a child for Sunday afternoon dinner at my Grandmother Turner's house. Warm, buttery, yeasty, soft... in one word, amazing.

If you are preparing a holiday meal soon I suggest you leave the bread making to Sister Schubert and spend your time preparing another dish from scratch... she's got these down to perfection. And be sure to purchase double what you expect to eat, there won't be any leftover.