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Let’s Make Dinner: Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole (pasta and cheese deliciousness) from katienormalgirl.com #meatlessmonday #vegetarian #yum

In honor of National Spaghetti Day (January 4) I wanted to share one of my favorite dinners with you, spaghetti casserole. This recipe is from my great-great grandfather and as far as I know, it hasn’t changed much since the days when he was making it. This is a family-favorite for Christmas Eve dinner, especially for the cook because it’s so easy to make and it can even be made ahead of time and frozen (plus, the red, green and white make it pretty festive).

Spaghetti Casserole (pasta and cheese deliciousness) from katienormalgirl.com #meatlessmonday #vegetarian #yum

Ingredients: 16 oz. angel hair pasta | 16 oz. 2% sour cream | 16 oz. 1% small-curd cottage cheese
16 oz. 2% ricotta cheese | 16 oz. regular cream cheese | 28 oz. spaghetti sauce
1 green pepper, diced | black pepper

This is a layered dish, so you’ll need to setup your assembly station. Start by mixing all of the cheeses together in a bowl (it goes a little easier if the cream cheese is at room temperature). Then break your uncooked pasta into 2″-3″ pieces. Dice your green peppers (the easy way) and finally, pour the spaghetti sauce into a bowl that it can be easily ladled out of.

1 | Layer the bottom of a 9″ x 12″ casserole dish with spaghetti sauce.
2 | Top with a layer of uncooked pasta.
3 | Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta.
4 | Sprinkle a few of the diced green pepper pieces and a bit of black pepper over the cheese.
5 | Repeat steps 1-4 until you’ve filled the dish, being careful to fully cover your top layer of pasta noodles with sauce and cheese so they’ll cook properly.
6 | Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, rotating the dish half-way through the cooking time.
7 | Allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

If you have any extra sauce, you can serve it on the side.

From my family to yours, enjoy!

katie: normal girl

Looking for more meat-free meals? Check out the Vegetarian Eats area.

DIY Sugar Shapes

Just in time for National Hot Tea Month, DIY Sugar Shapes from katienormalgirl.com #diy #partyplanning #teaJust in time for National Hot Tea Month, sugar shapes! These fun little guys are a cinch to make and are great fun for a party or as a special treat for yourself.

Here’s a few extra tips to get you started:

  • If you want to add coloring to your sugar shapes, add a few drops of food color in your teaspoon, then fill the rest of the spoon with plain water and mix with the sugar.
  • When selecting a mold, be sure to select one that will make shapes that aren’t too large so you don’t end up with shapes that are three tablespoons of sugar each! Also be careful to select a mold that isn’t too shallow or your shapes may break easily.
  • It is a small amount of liquid and doesn’t seem like enough to wet all of the sugar but just keep working at it and it will all come together. In the end you’ll have a relatively dry mixture that presses into the mold really well.
  • After pressing the sugar into the mold, use the back of a knife to flatten the shapes.
  • The consistency of the mixture is the right combination of dry and wet that you only need to leave the sugar in the mold for a few minutes. If you have really shallow molds (not recommended but it certainly can’t hurt to try) I’d leave them in there for about 10-15 minutes before removing from the mold.
  • To get the shapes out, place a flat, rigid surface (like a small cookie sheet or I used a book with foil wrapped around it) on the top of the mold and flip the whole thing over. That way you’re not try to do the quick-flip-slam onto a counter top.

Have a good time making these and stop by for more tea bits all month long!

katie: normal girl

 

 

P.S. This is also a great way to make snow for a gingerbread house!

National Hot Tea Month

National Hot Tea Month Board on Pinterest from katienormalgirl.com #tealoveIs it ever a bad time to enjoy tea? I think not. January is National Hot Month in the U.S. and I’m thrilled. All month long I’ve got fun tea-related goodies coming up. But right now, I’m sipping on a cup of my favorite hot tea while searching Pinterest for inspiration about this wonderful ritual we call, tea. Care to share a virtual cup-o-tea?

katie: normal girl

 

Freebie Download: January 2014 Calendars

NOW AVAILABLE: Task Calendars and Tablet/Phone Wallpaper!
The Task Calendar is designed to be printed on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and has space for writing notes and daily tasks or appointments. The Tablet/Phone Wallpaper features this month’s calendar photo without the calendar and makes a great background for your tablet or phone.

Freebie January calendars from katienormalgirl.com - includes a printable display, printable write-on printable, and digital wallpaper calendars #free #downloads

The wintering birds are back! Of course, we always have birds here in Florida but his time of year the variety and quantity increases as birds, trying to escape the cold northern climates, arrive in massive flocks.

When I was a kid living up north, the first sign of Spring was the arrival of the cardinals. The moment you saw the red little birds flitting about in the trees was the moment that you knew warmer days were coming soon. Now, the arrival of the cardinals (along with many of their northern birdie friends) signals the beginning of Winter. I know that colder days are just around the corner. I think these red-winged blackbirds know it too. There are a lot more of them lately and I suspect they are just visiting us for our warm winter weather.

May you have a wonderful January!

katie: normal girl

 

 

Continue to the Download Gallery.

‘Tis the Season for Free Gift Tags

Free Christmas Gift Tags from katienormalgirl.com Download Gallery #free #downloads #christmasThere’s one weekend left before Christmas and the gift-wrapping has commenced. The dining room table is now covered in gift-wrap paper, tags, strings, and dangly things. I’m wrapping all of my gifts in potato-stamped kraft paper this year, so I made two different colored gift tags to coordinate with it: a classic red and green, and a slightly less traditional red and slate blue. If you’re looking for some fun gift tags, you can grab both colors from the Download Gallery. I printed my tags on bright white 65 lb. paper. Enjoy!

katie: normal girl

Easy Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

Cinnamon Peanut Brittle recipe from katienormalgirl.com #giftideas #homemade

This time of year always puts me in the mood for peanut brittle but not just any peanut brittle…I want cinnamon peanut brittle.

There are so many peanut brittle recipes out there, so if you already have a favorite, you can try this take on it by just adding cinnamon to your existing recipe. If you don’t have a favorite then I’d love for you to give this version a try.  It makes a yummy treat that can be wrapped up and given as gifts to your co-workers, family, and friends.

You’ll need:

– 1 1/3 c. sugar
– 6 1/2 oz. shelled, salted peanuts
– 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
– butter to grease cookie sheet and spoon backs
– two metal spoons

Thoroughly grease a cookie sheet with butter, being sure to cover the entire bottom and sides. Next you’ll need to prepare for cooking the sugar. Once the sugar is ready you’ll need to add the peanuts and cinnamon, stir and pour into the cookie sheet pretty quickly so have everything you need (peanuts, cinnamon, metal spoons) setup and ready to go.

Winter Sipping: Spiced Tea Latte

Winter Spiced Tea Latte from katienormalgirl.com #cozy #beverages

Grab your scarf and gloves, it’s time to get all bundled up for winter, and because your insides need to be warmed up too, it’s tea time! The spice in this winter tea will get your blood pumping and warm you from the inside out. A dash of vanilla and whipped cream balance out the spice and provide that hint of sweetness that you expect this time of year.

For each cup you’ll need: