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 

toddler room inspiration

Toddler room inspiration is everywhere, the time has come for my baby to get a bigger and more appropriate 'big boy room' (que the lullaby music and the tears)... 
I have started to look for ideas and have decided against a 'theme'. There is just too many choices and making decisions is not my strong suit! This way the room can grow with him and we can change it as interest evolve. 
Also as much as it is HIS room, i still need to like it and live in it too - I'm still aa decorator at heart & so mommy approved is key here too- (I'm talking full advantage of his 'not caring' at this point in the game) 

I love the feel of the IKEA kids rooms, they are bright, fun and fresh, so that is what I'm going with. Without being too IKEA at all! My budget is low for this makeover so I'm going to have to get creative and be resourceful. (which is a challenge i find rewarding) 
No limitless showroom budget here! 

This is my jumping off point. I love the artwork of Eric Carle and his art is probably the biggest inspiration. Here is a sampling of some great ideas I've put together for a bit of a mood board. Other inspiration can be found here on my Pinterest

The main image is from 'handmade charlotte ' i love the half height bright paint although in not sure of the mountains-maybe just straight. 

Night table - I also have a 'lack' table from idea i could just paint a bright teal like in the image. 
Storage- Ill be working with a minty-aqua existing dresser so i think it blends in nicely. 
Extras- Im a sucker for shelving and these 'swing' looking shelves are so playful and fun- as are the balloon nightlight! 

No room is complete without some Chevron - so I'm sure ill sneak some of that in too! 

Stay tuned for a room reveal shortly!!! 

weekly meal planning - #2 'pin'able version

welcome to meal planning #2, still 'Pin'able  from my pinterest page and family friendly! 

i got great response to last weeks meal plan that i thought, in honour of monday- I'm grocery shopping this week i would add in my meal plan, (pretty and printable too!)

hope you enjoy this aswell, its similar but different and sure to gather the gang for yummy time together. 

Monday- Veggie noodle wraps in lettuce cups 

Tuesday- Sticky slow cooker ribs & tin-foil potato packet 

Wednesday- Homemade burgers & fresh coleslaw 

Thursday- Pork Fajitas with all the goods & homemade refried beans 

Friday- Pita Pizzas, made to order 

Saturday- BLT Salad & Garlic Bread 

Sunday- Spaghetti & Pork meatballs (made my momma) 

Enjoy- Happy Monday, may your week be fresh and fun! 

summer snack: peach & oatmeal cookies

Im always on the hunt for healthy and filling snack ideas for my sweet toothed toddler. This cookie recipe is going into the vault at my house. Our usual chocolate loving household has accepted these fruit filled treats with gladness. They just make you happy.

The Goods 

• 4 cups all-purpose flour 
• (this is going to seem like a lot, but the peaches get juicy and need the extra flour) 
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups butter at room temperature
• 1 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup 
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp. vanilla
• 3 cups finely diced peaches (i didn't even peel them - cause I'm lazy like that) 
• 3 cups oats (old fashioned if your fancy) 
• 2 cups coconut (i used unsweetened)
• 2 cups nuts (optional, i opted not) 

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Mix sugars, butter, eggs, vanilla, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon with an electric mixer until well combined.
• Stir in flour, oats, coconut (i saved a bit of the flour for the end, as i want convinced i needed it all- but i did, just combine it slowly) 
• Stir in peaches gently 
• For each cookie, press about 1/4 cup together (these are big mothers)
• Drop cookie dough onto cookie sheets sprayed with cooking spray, spacing 3 inches apart.
• Bake 16 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
• Cool on pan 10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool.
• Enjoy!!!

These make great 'on the go' healthy breakfast or anytime snack. BONUS- packed with sneaky (mostly) goodness, have a happy and delicious day 

4 ingredients to bliss!

oh the glory of watermelon! 
my love affair with summer watermelon began in childhood and like many of us- its transports us back to those simple days with less responsibility and running wildly..
i truly love its sweet and summer like flavour and its always a hit with the kids. Then a sweet friend recently introduced me to watermelon juice (where have you been all my life)  

simple enough i set off to make a sweet summer treat for my little and with the heat we have been having it quickly turned into a healthier version of a summer slurpie (you know the 7/11 sugar OD, brainfreeze kind) 

this is simple, easy and quick- not a mind blowing test of epicurean skills- but what more do you expect from 4 ingredients! 

so here it is, makes a great cool down treat for the littles that you won't mind adding a splash (or 4) of vodka too- pretty much the perfect playdate drink! 

*also pour the leftovers (if any) into reusable popsicle moulds for an on hand watermelon freezie - (hello! thats mind-blowing)* 

enjoy! 

Watermelon Freshener 
- 1/2 diced watermelon 
- Juice of 4 limes 
- 4 cups of ice 
- 1/2 cup sugar 

(optional & to taste)