ARWC Deck the Halls 2002 Stuffed Shells
We adapted this recipe from Biba Caggiano's, Biba's Northern Italian Cooking. Biba grew up in Italy and now resides in Sacramento, California where she is chef & owner of the nationally acclaimed restaurant "Biba". She also hosts a cooking show on the Learning Channel. We enjoy this recipe as it is quite simple, yet elegant and absolutely delicious. Serve with a tossed green salad, bread and a glass of Anthony Road Wine Company's 2001 Chardonnay or Tony's Red.
Make a simple tomato sauce - 2 cups
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 28-oz can of crushed Italian tomatoes
salt & pepper
Heat oil in saucepan, add crushed tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, season with salt & pepper.
Make a basic white sauce
6 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp flour
3 cups milk
Bring milk to a boil; set aside. In medium saucepan melt butter, when butter foams stir in the flour. Let mixture bubble gently over low heat 1 to 2 min., stirring constantly. Do not let it brown. Whisk in milk all at once, & whisk until smooth. Season with salt. Simmer 3 to 5 min, whisking constantly until sauce has a med-thick consistency.
Meat filling
3 Tbsp butter
1 lb chicken breasts, boned, skinned, chopped into small piece
1/4 lb. prosciutto, diced
1/4 lb. mortadella, diced
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
2 or 3 Tbsp whipping cream, if needed
salt & pepper to taste
Melt butter in med. skillet, add chicken pieces. Saute over med. heat until lightly colored. Put chicken and all the rest of the ingredients except cream into food processor ( or blender). Blend to paste. If mixture is too dry, add cream. Season with salt & pepper.
Assembly and baking
Cook 1 lb. large shell shaped pasta, drain.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Butter a 13x9-inch baking dish. Place 2 + Tbsp Meat Filling in each shell and place in a single layer in the baking dish. Spoon tomato sauce over shells, cover with white sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with butter.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted & golden in color. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.Enjoy!
