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Thursday, November 18, 2010

foodbuzz top nine and some stuffed shells


First off let me sprain my arm from patting myself on the back - this was in my inbox this morning: papas con caldo with grass fed beef made the Foodbuzz Top 9 today! The Foodbuzz Top 9 is a photo-driven collection of top-buzzed posts within the Foodbuzz community. Congratulations and thanks for being a part of Foodbuzz! Check it out here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/top9 and be sure to let your friends know. Exactly what I am doing - letting my friends know, check it out.

There are many dishes out there that most people make regularly, in fact they make them so often they have their own "secret" methods and ingredients that make these dishes even more special. Stuffed shells seem to be one of those dishes. I have never made stuffed shells before, I have made countless lasagnas but never stuffed shells so as a stuffed shell virgin I decided it was time to break out of this safety zone.

Being the rebel that I am I opted to come up with my own filling even though there is a very popular and easy to follow recipe right there on the back of the pasta box. I decided that I like spinach so spinach was added to my ricotta and since spinach likes nutmeg, nutmeg was added as well. I used mozzarella, brie, parmesan and white vermont cheddar since I like a big mix of cheese. Garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper rounded it all out. My sauce is san marzano tomatoes, garlic, fresh oregano and salt and pepper - simple. I liked stuffed shells they are delicious but way too precious for me since you have to fill each one- lasagana is so much easier. (see the steamy olive oil, pasta and cheesy goodness, mmmm)

29 comments:

mely said...

Congrats on the top 9 of Foodbuzz.
I also have never cooked shells but your looks so good. The sauce just needs a piece of rustic bread to dip into it.

Love the combination of cheeses.

Have a great day!

Mely

the wicked noodle said...

Awesome!! I've never made the top 9, although I think you have to submit your photos to get chosen which I never do (is that right?). Anyway, congrats! It's always fun to see your hard work on one of the "big" sites :-)

eatgreek.net said...

congratulations for the top 9!
these shells look very tasty and I'm a little bit hungry..... :P :D

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the top 9! Your shells look amazing!

Christo Gonzales said...

Mely: we did have some nice crusty bread but I didnt include it in the picture - I love garlic toast!

The wicked: I think you need to accompany your posts with pictures - I dont think it auto uploads the pictures like it does the posts - so the answer would be YES you need to submit your pictures.

eatgreek: thanks - I had some for breakfast this morning...

ravie: thanks so much!

Claudia said...

Congrats on the Top 9 - such an accomplishment. Your stuffed shells are oozingly stuffed - all that grand melty cheese (and love the spinach). I'll bet you'll make them a wee it different every time.

Doc said...

Congrats,
Delicious dish!

snugs said...

Congrats, you Rock!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Congrats on top 9!

These stuffed shells looks great. I rarely ever make them...I'm not sure why. I should probably change that :)

tavolini said...

Congratulations!!

For the stuffed shells--that sounds like an AWESOME recipe. I normally hate stuffed shells due to the ricotta factor--nice side step with the cheeses :)

Well played!

Marjie said...

I love stuffed shells, and the spinach sounds like a wonderful addition. Congrats, Mr. Top Nine!

And, yes, including Thor, we should have 21 people here. Maybe 23 if a couple of strays show up.

Christina said...

I have also never made stuffed shells at home! It does seem so tedious, that I opt for lasagna too. But I like your filling - all those cheeses and the spinach and nutmeg! Mmm mmm!

Congrats again on the Top 9!

Vickie said...

Congrats on making the top 9 - I'm not even surprised. Those shells with their cheesy spinach stuffing look delicious!

Heather S-G said...

Well, that's cool...rock on! And the shells sound delicious, too :D

Ken said...

You dog!!!
Can I make a list.....

The meals I want Christo to prepare for me someday?

Chef Fresco said...

Congrats! The shells look so delicious!

Joanne said...

Woohoo congrats on Foodbuzz!

I love your combination of cheeses. I'm a stuffed shell virgin as well. And I think it's about time that i do something about it.

briarrose said...

Oh these look so good!

The Diva on a Diet said...

Congrats on making the Top 9 again!!! Sweet!

See, that's the thing about stuffed shells ... they're awesome ... unless you're the one doing the stuffing! I do love them, but rarely make them because it is a chore. I always add spinach and nutmeg to mine too. Winning combination for sure.

Mickle in NZ said...

Super Congrats! I've never come across giant pasta shells over here - your filling looks super scrummy.

In NZ we also have no equivalent to the Thanksgiving celebrations - but thanks to Marjie in NEPA I now have an understanding of the foodie celebration that it is. I hope you get to enjoy beautiful and delicious food too, with the people you want to be with this coming Thursday.

Michelle and my snoring Zebby Cat

Rebecka said...

Awesome!! Congrats on the top 9! Your shells look delish!

Jenn said...

Woohoo, Christo!!!

farida said...

Congrats on making it to top 9! This is great!

Unknown said...

Congrats! Your on a roll!

Barbara said...

Congratulations! Top nine is really impressive. You deserve it, too.

Great stuffed shells recipe! The spinach makes them healthy so I can eat all that gooey cheese!

Terrianne, Call me Ree said...

Well, congratulations to you! And if I might add, pat yourself away. That's a real accomplishment!

My grandmother would always make me stuffed shells in lieu of lasagna. They're so much more elegant and satisfying as, one by one, they're being put on your plate and covered with sauce.

Yours are gorgeous!

Lori Lynn said...

Hi Christo - YAY for Top 9! I made stuffed shells this week too. Yours sound divine! Love your Thanksgiving menu too! Cant wait to see it all.
LL

Magic of Spice said...

Congrats on your Top 9 :) I can't believe you have never done stuffed shells before...the are gorgeous and love the creative adds here :)

Magic of Spice said...

Congrats on your Top 9 :) I can't believe you have never done stuffed shells before...the are gorgeous and love the creative adds here :)

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