Christmas Eve Manicotti Recipes

CHRISTMAS EVE MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Whisk 4 eggs and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a bowl; gradually whisk flour into eggs, alternating with milk, to make a smooth batter. Whisk melted butter into batter; refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Pour vegetable oil into a small bowl. Heat a small skillet over medium heat; brush skillet with vegetable oil using a pastry brush. Ladle in enough batter to lightly cover the bottom of the skillet, about 1/4 cup; swirl skillet to cover bottom completely. Cook crepe until it turns lightly golden brown on the bottom; flip and cook until other side has small brown spots. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing the skillet with oil as needed to prevent crepes from sticking; set cooked crepes aside between layers of waxed paper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Lightly mix spinach, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, green onion, onion powder, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 eggs in a bowl until filling is thoroughly combined.
• Spread 1 cup marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place a crepe onto a work surface and spoon about 3 tablespoons filling, or more as needed, in a line down the center of each crepe. Roll crepe over filling and set into sauce in pan; repeat with remaining crepes and filling, laying filled crepes into pan. Spread remaining marinara sauce over filled crepes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and mozzarella cheese is melted and slightly browned, 20 to 30 minutes.

HOMEMADE SPINACH MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Start by making the crespelles (see recipe link above)
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella, egg, spinach, parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Fill each crespelle with 1/4 cup spinach filling and roll.
• In a large baking dish, (or two smaller dishes) pour 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the dish. Place rolled manicotti seem side down onto baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups more sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake about about 25 minutes, until hot and bubbling, and the cheese is melted.
• *Use substitute for vegetarian parmesan.

SEAFOOD MANICOTTI WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the Manicotti pasta to the boiling water and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Thaw and drain the frozen organic spinach in a fine mesh colander, then drain excess water off the spinach by placing in a clean dish towel and wringing all water out.
• Prepare the broccolini by cleaning and stripping the leaves from stalks.
• Place the broccolini and thinly sliced garlic in the bottom of a baking dish, lightly drizzle with the extra-virgin olive oil, season with kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Give the broccolini a few turns to evenly coat with the olive oil, arrange the broccolini with the flowers to the outside walls of the dish, alternating right to left for a uniform appearance.
• Clean one pound of shrimp by removing all the shells and mud vein. Finely chop the shrimp into small pieces.
• In a large bowl, gently mix together the ricotta, ½ of a cup of Organic Parmesan shreds, thawed and drained of all water, frozen organic spinach, chopped parsley leaves, chopped crab, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, the pinch of hot pepper flakes, and 1 egg yolk.
• Gently and patiently fill the Manicotti with the shrimp and cheese mixture and place on top of the bed of broccolini. You can use a small spoon or a freezer bag that has the end cut off to pipe in the manicotti shells.
• Top the filled manicotti with your favorite simple pasta Sauce, and top with the remaining Organic Parmesan shreds
• Bake until bubbly and the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

HOMEMADE MANICOTTI (FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER)

Steps:

• Manicotti Shells Use a ladle to spoon batter onto skillet making thin crepes. Flip when small bubbles begin to appear. *Before pouring batter onto skillet use a piece of wax paper and rub it on skillet to prevent sticking. Manicotti Filling Mix all ingredients (except sauce) together in a medium sized mixing bowl. Using a spoon, put a spoonful of filling in the middle of each crepe. Roll the shell up and place in a 13x9 pan lined with sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until hot or Refrigerate until ready to use.