weeknight favourite - Basil & Lemon stuffed pasta shells

This is one of those dishes that packs a lot of wow factor but is really super simple (like all the good pasta dishes). I love the versatility of stuffed shells and the amazing things you can do with them for variety. Its possible i could eat them everyday. They are a usual around my house and i also adore that one box of these big shells can make at least a few freezer meals - and who doesn't love prep like that! 

Here it is - easy stuffed shells that will make you seem 'top chef' 

Basil & Lemon Stuffed Shells 

1 box of jumbo shells pasta
2 Packages of Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese (i only had the cheap stuff on hand)
3 tbsp lemon pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
dash of olive oil
lemon zest
salt & pepper to taste
1 LARGE bunch of fresh basil- you need fresh, its a necessity.. 

• Add entire box of shells into boiling salted water and cook approx 6 min or al dente
• While this is cooking simply mix all ingredients above, Ricotta, Parmesan, Lemon juice, zest and lemon pepper. Mix well and salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sliced basil leaves and taste again for salt and pepper. That's it- by now your shells should be good (always make the whole box, these babies tend to crack under pressure) cooking them till they are al dente is key- you want the pasta to still be strong enough to endure stuffing and baking (yes with cheese) 
• Drain shells and arrange on a cookie sheet till cool enough to handle and to drain slightly 
• Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture into each shell

White sauce

This is a simple base for any white sauce- i chose not to add garlic but its an easy additive - as is anything else you wish for this neutral base. I wanted it to be subtle as i wanted the flavours of the pasta to be prominent. 

you will need... 

1/4 Butter 

1/4 Flour 

1 cup Milk or cream (i used 2%) 

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup white wine (or not) 

dash of red chili flakes 

-Melt butter in sauce pan
-Add flour and whisk to make a roux 
-Stir in white wine and whisk till mixed
-Salt and pepper & red chili flakes to taste 

Once sauce is completed add a small amount to the bottom of the baking dish and arrange shells in whatever pretty order you like.. top with sauce and Parmesan and bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 min

TA DA! you will thank yourself for this one :) 

simple korean pork - 15 min meal success!

How did we ever live without Pinterest- I even stare strangely when i meet people that aren't aware of its brilliance- and want to ask them.. "are you living under a rock?" seriously. 
...Well I'm not and now you aren't either - like every other facet of my life, i source Pinterest for LOTS of great ideas! Especially cooking and meal planning! 

Today I'm doing something new and sharing a great little recipe i found on Pinterest.
Korean Beef, turned into Korean Pork. This 'Korean Beef' recipe is sourced from this great blog Six Sisters Stuff (which is just amaze balls for recipes) . You can find the original recipe there, as mentioned. I found it on Pinterest. I don't find it particularly 'korean' but it has that asian flavour i always crave! 

I am a sucker for anything Asian and if it can be made within 15 minutes is as good as gold. 
This recipe has all the makings for success. 
Limited and simple ingredients, easily adaptable and easy to make. In my house it was husband requested and toddler approved, I had seconds so its going in the vault! 
I did make a few alterations as i felt the original was lacking a little extra depth in flavour and i made mine with brown minute rice and pork, that's what i had on hand cause that's how i roll when my house gets HANGRY. 

1 lb of ground pork 
(i have used beef and its great too, i think chicken would work as swell) 
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1/2 cup soy sauce 
1 tbsp red chili flakes (dependant on your spice preference) 
1 tbsp fresh ground ginger 
2 tbsp olive oil (originally sesame oil, but i was out) 
2 tbsp vegetable oil 
3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
4 green onions chopped to preference 
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
Cooked Rice 

(I used brown minute rice as it was quick) 

Method: 

-Add oil to pan, allow to heat and add garlic till fragrant 

-While this is happening combine brown sugar, sesame oil (or olive), chili flakes and soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside  

-Brown meat (make sure it gets really crumbly) 

-Add sauce mixture to cooked meat, stir. 

-Add half of the diced onion and save the rest for garnish 

- Stir in Teriyaki sauce 

-Serve immediately over rice and garnish with onion and chili flakes and adorn with the sauces you love most, Siracha is this dish's very best friend. 

Enjoy