Cheffess

 

Referring to the post Is It Giada De Laurentiis, Rachel Ray or Paula Deen?

PictureGirl said…”What wonderful memories for you and the girls. I bet they will always have a special connection.

That food looks so good, you’ll post recipes, right?”

Oh my goodness, it was so very delicious. I don’t know what strange ions were floating in the air, but Alyssa told me out of the blue that she wanted to make dinner and to “stay out of the kitchen” because she didn’t need help. Honestly, I imagined a very simple meal with maybe only one item like spaghetti.

I was pleasantly surprised with her menu and impressed with her ability to plan the recipes, gather the ingredients, cook everything and have it all finish at about the same time. We raved throughout dinner and she just beamed with happiness and pride. I love seeing Alyssa feel that inner accomplished feeling at a task well done. It is the type of opportunity I have striven to provide for my daughter while she is growing up.

I did ask her for the recipes that night because I was going to put them in everyone’s recipe box (see here for the story), but she refused. Alyssa wants her recipes from that delicious dinner to be the beginning of a secret family recipe. Isn’t that cute!

So I am unable to provide the recipe, but I did find a yummy stuffed tomato recipe from Rachel Ray that looks very similar.

Recipe and picture courtesy Rachel Ray 2008
From the television show: 30 Minute Meals
Episode: Mood for Romance

Creamed Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes

Ingredients

* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 boxes chopped frozen spinach, defrosted
* A few grates nutmeg
* 2 large beefsteak tomatoes
* 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
* Chopped chives, for garnish

Directions

Place the cream in a small pot and reduce by half by gently simmering 20 minutes.

Heat a medium skillet with olive oil over medium heat, add onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and saute until translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain the spinach by wringing dry in clean kitchen towel. Separate the spinach with your hands and add to onions and garlic. Season spinach with nutmeg then stir in the reduced cream. Adjust flavor with salt and pepper.

Preheat broiler.

Trim the tops off tomatoes and scoop out the seeds. Stuff tomatoes with creamed spinach and top each with 1/4 cup blue cheese. Broil to brown the cheese. Garnish the tomatoes with chives.

The next time you are in the kitchen making a meal, take the time to teach your children. I promise, your stomach will thank you later.

Proud mother,