(Family Features) Family traditions and in-person connections are important parts of gatherings of loved ones, and many of those get-togethers are centered on food. The entire family coming together around a table covered with warm, delicious food to share stories and create new memories is what makes mealtime special.
Forty chefs from around the nation came together to create “Come to the Table,” which offers a delicious mix of cuisines from a variety of cultures, including this sampling of classic family favorites, sweet indulgences, and family-style creations all inspired by what family means to each chef.
“Sales from this book will directly benefit the families we serve, so we are so grateful for each and every chef that has offered their time and talent to this cookbook,” said Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. “The way ‘Come to the Table’ has been created reminds me of a recipe that culminates in a feast for the senses. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 40th anniversary, particularly at a time when families are starting to reunite after the pandemic forced so many apart.”
Visit rmhdallas.org for more information and to order the cookbook.
Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells
Recipe courtesy of chef Kevin Curry
Servings: 6-8
6 ounces jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh garlic
1 medium onion, diced
5 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed then diced
1 pinch sea salt, plus additional, to taste
1 pinch pepper, plus additional, to taste
2 cups shredded kale
3 tablespoons water
15 ounces skim milk ricotta cheese
4 tablespoons pesto
1 tablespoon The Fit Cook Land spice blend
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat marinara, divided
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat mozzarella
fresh herbs, for garnish
Preheat oven to 420 F.
Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain then set aside.
Heat pot or cast-iron casserole dish over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, garlic, onion, and mushrooms. Add a pinch of sea salt and pepper as it cooks. Cook until onions turn brown and mushrooms shrink in size, about 3-5 minutes. Empty contents and set aside.
Place pot back over heat. Add shredded kale and water to create steam. Toss kale in the pot until it turns vibrant green; set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with mushroom mixture, kale, pesto, and spice blend.
In the casserole dish, spread about 1/2 cup marinara on the bottom. Then one-by-one, stuff each pasta shell with approximately 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture and add to the casserole dish. Repeat with remaining shells.
Cover shells with remaining marinara and mozzarella cheese. Cover casserole dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. During the final 5 minutes, remove the foil so mozzarella can brown.
Garnish with fresh herbs and salt and pepper, to taste.
Source: Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
