Clive Berkman, author of Creating Empty Bottle Moments, believes that we need to take the time to enjoy cooking for our loved ones. Here's one of his recipes. Click here to watch...
Marry Me Please Pasta Shells
1 box extra large pasta shells, cooked and drained and rolled lightly in olive oil
For filling:
- 1 bag (6 ounces) baby spinach cooked in garlic and oil, drained and squeeze dry.
- 1 16 oz Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Italian cheese (provolone, mozzarella mix) (reserve ¼ cup)
- 1 egg
- ½ rotisserie chicken deboned and chopped fine
- 2 garlic cloves minced fine
- 2 T fresh basil chopped
- Salt and pepper “To Taste”
Method:
Mix cheeses together. Add herbs and seasoning. Fold in chicken. Fill shells with mixture and top with tomato sauce (recipe below) and extra grated cheese and bake until bubbly.
Tomato Basil Soup
Serves 8
3 tablespoons of sweet butter or light olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped (no seeds)
1 14-ounce can of whole or diced tomatoes
1 ½ cups of chicken stock
12 fresh basil leaves
½ cup of heavy cream
Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Melt the butter in a saucepan, and add the onions. Cook slowly for 3-4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, juice, and/or stock into the saucepan, and simmer 30 minutes. Add the basil leaves, and puree the mixture in small batches in a blender or food processor.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and add cream, stirring constantly over low heat.
Garnish with shredded basil leaves, or perhaps, small croutons, shrimp, or crème fraiche.
-Creating Empty Bottle Moments
by Clive Berkman
