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My Grandma passed away at the age of 94. She was a wonderful cook and I was lucky enough to inherit her recipes. Many date back to the 1940s and 50s. Grandma prepared them in a charming country kitchen with no running water and most of her produce came from her garden, not from the grocery store. These are made-from-scratch recipes. I wish I had spent more time with her in the kitchen and . . . I wish I had spent more time with her for so many other reasons.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Chicken Penne Pasta

1 1/2 cups uncooked Penne pasta
9 oz fresh spinach
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
1 tsp dried basil
1 jar (14 1/2 oz) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes (drained)
2 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Cook pasta according to package directions.  Add spinach to boiling water for last 1 minute.

Cook and stir chicken and basil in large skillet on medium-high heat for 3 minutes.  Add sauce and tomatoes; bring to a boil.  Simmer for 3 minutes or until chicken is done.  Stir in cream cheese.

Drain pasta mixture; return to pan.  Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella.  Spoon into 2-quart baking dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.  Bake for 3 more minutes.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Grandma's Special Sloppy Joes

2 lbs ground beef
1 medium white onion (diced)
2 cans Manwich
12 hamburger buns
12 cheese slices
24 slices of bacon

Brown the hamburger with the onion.  Drain fat.
Add the Manwich.
Serve on the hamburger buns with cheese and bacon.

Grandma didn't have the luxury of using Manwich.  She used a combination of ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and other seasonings.  It's much easier to open a can of Manwich.