Today 16-month-old Charlotte learned how to climb onto our kitchen chairs. I think we’ve just entered a whole new world. A world in which we can’t just throw anything dangerous or fragile on the table to keep it away from her. Wish me luck my friends. Try not to judge me if I find Charlotte playing with the butcher knives again.Â
How was your weekend? Eric and I played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with some friends. I know, I know, how could we get any more dorky. In my defense though, I totally lost. I have no such defense for Eric. (Seriously, who actually knows what vector Darth Vader’s TIE fighter took when approaching the Y-wing fighters?? Eric knows, that’s who. Three marks at two ten. Duh.)
Eric’s love for Star Wars has gotten him into trouble before. One time in high school his mom Kris was having a Pride and Prejudice marathon with some friends. (And yes, we are talking the 6 hour movie version.) So there they were, a bunch of ladies getting high off estrogen and waiting for any sign from Mr. Darcy that he was in love with them (oops, I mean Elizabeth). They finally got to the last tape, but when they took it out of the box they found instead a ransom note attached to Star Wars: A New Hope. They chased him all through the house. I can only imagine the squeals of indignation he had to endure for the sin of keeping those women from their Mr. Darcy-Elizabeth climax a moment longer than necessary.
This tortellini is the best thing since sliced bread (side note–a friend in high school said the sliced bread thing once and I thought she was sooo funny. I had no idea it was a well-known saying until years later.) There really is something amazing about this tortellini though. It’s the kind of meal that makes all the other leftovers in the fridge jealous because they don’t get any attention at all until this stuff is gone. It is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Oh and did I mention quick? Win-win. Nice.
Today I’m listening to Brothers and Sisters by Blur.*
***P.S. Come back next week for my first giveaway on Monday, June 18th!!***
Spinach Mushroom Tortellini
Source: heavily adapted from Allrecipes.com
1 (20 ounce) package cheese tortellini
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes (or one 28 oz can)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
salt and pepper to taste
Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. (Should be about 10 minutes.) Drain but do not rinse.
Heat up the olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan or very large skillet. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook until onion is translucent and mushrooms are a nice glazed brown, about 4-6 minutes. While they are cooking, add the teaspoon of salt, the 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the basil. When the onions and mushrooms are done, add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
Immediately add the diced tomatoes and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. (Keep the heat high enough that it evaporates some of the liquid from the tomatoes.)
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, milk, and cream. Stir this mixture into the saucepan along with the Parmesan cheese. Heat through, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until thick, about 2 minutes.
Add the tortellini to the sauce. Add the chopped spinach and stir to coat. Turn the heat off but leave the pan on the burner until the spinach is just wilted. Remove from heat, salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
Serves 6-8.
*Please note that I think drugs are very bad. But you’ve got to admit that this song is freaking awesome.
This looks delicious. Any excuse to add cheese-filled pasta to the menu.
And I don’t know why you’re betting on me. The sad truth is that I know NOTHING about Star Wars. I mean, I don’t know half the stuff that true geeks (that is a compliment Eric, don’t get offended) know from reading a bajillion books and collecting Star Wars cards and stuff. Brian says the only reason that I win is because I have memorized the movies. And that is somewhat true. Quotes will get you there every time.
I hope you and Eric are training Charlotte in the Star Wars way. I had to reprimand Hyrum yesterday and tell him that Luke Skywalker could NOT jump on his cantaloupe. On second thought, I probably should have commended him for his ingenuity.
I “made” this tonight, meaning that I started the recipe knowing I did not have tortillini, fresh spinach, cream, or mushrooms. I did have macaroni, frozen spinach, nonfat milk, and sausage. It’s wonderful, thanks. I also threw in chopped carrots.
Nice work Nikki! This is what cooking is all about when you are pregnant with 4 kids. Your version sounds good, I’ll have to try it out, because I almost always have all those ingredients on hand too. Another win-win!
and that is a prime example of the way i taught you all to cook, nikki, that’s awesome!
I’m laughing so hard. Nikki, you are truly a Zacharias.
whoever placed the ransom note had a moment of sheer genius – that is hilarious! nice try denying it, eric – now you have to deny your own brilliance.
do they make 10 oz packages of tortellini? i really need to start cooking for 2 people instead of 7, since there are only 2 of us here at home :) also i think i might throw some zucchini into this, since the harvest has already begun…
No way dude, make the whole thing and freeze half of it. You won’t regret it. And YES I think zucchini would taste fantastic in this. Just saute it with the onions and mushrooms. (or in lieu of the mushrooms)
First off, I did not answer that Star Wars question and if asked I would not know the answer. I have limits.
Second, the ransom note placed with the Star Wars tape was written with letters clipped from magazines and so without forensic evidence we will never know who carried out that heinous crime. I was innocently doing my own thing when a bunch of screaming women came rampaging up the stairs and I had to hide in the bathroom for like 2 hours for fear of death.
How would you know that Eric, unless you had done it!? Your fingerprints (literally and figuratively) were all over it! It was a classic though. This is why your sisters say you never get in trouble – because you always make me laugh when you misbehave.