30 before 30 update (and Butternut Squash Shells)

I have a confession to make.  Are you ready? OK... here goes... I have been slowly tackling my 30 before 30 list. I know, I haven't been keeping you up to date. The reason is, I'm an awful blogger. I love this little blog baby of mine, it is just that I have a hard time finding the time to be more consistent with posting. I hope I still have followers, HERRO? Is anyone even there? Could you do me a favor and boost my ego a bit and write a little comment below so I know you're still there? My blogger account says I have readers from all over the world!? I would LOVE to officially meet you, so go on and take the plunge and say a little hello would ya? Pretty please?

OK, now that I'm done begging lets get onto the good stuff. If you are new to this blog you probably have no clue what my 30 before 30 list is. Basically, it is a list of recipes that I would like to complete before my 30th birthday, which is 228 days to be exact (but whose counting). Well dear readers, I've been going behind your back and making some of them. A few times, I didn't even realize they were on my list. That is how genuine the list really is. These are things that I really have had a strong desire to make. I hope you can forgive me? If not, at least make the Butternut Squash Shells below and I know that your tummy will forgive me.

Butternut Squash Shells

Butternut Squash with a light cream sauce

(recipe below)

Homemade Potato chips

(and fried pickles, which I didn't love surprisingly) I just sliced the potatoes with my mandolin and threw in hot vegetable oil, the hotter the better. This was really a trial and error on my part. Make sure to liberally season immediately after taking out of oil.

Ricotta Stuffed Shells

(Clearly I really liked making stuffed shells :)) No recipe used here. Just filled shells with ricotta and egg mixture, seasoned with salt and pepper and topped with homemade sauce and parmegiano reggiano.

The Perfect Poached Egg

The one on the left was made by hand in boiling water - the fake looking one on the right was made with my Mom's egg poaching pan, which never seems to work just right. This was our traditional Christmas breakfast of Eggs Benedict.

Stuffed Artichokes

I loved these, however my boyfriend still isn't convinced about the delishishness of the artichoke. This was completely fine with me as I ended up eating all three. The artichokes were stuffed with a mixture of parmigano reggiano (are you noticing a theme here?), panko break crumbs, garlic, diced onion, salt, pepper and olive oil. Baked in a 400 degree oven (with a little water on the bottom of the baking dish) for 40 minutes.

Butternut Squash Shells with Light Cream Sauce
(printable recipe)

1 medium butternut squash, pealed and diced
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (use the real stuff and thank me later)
1 box of large shells
1 cup of half and half
1 tbs fresh sage minced
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil shells according to package and set aside. Boil or steam the butternut squash until fork tender. Mash squash in a bowl and add ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper and half the fresh minced sage. Fill each shell with squash and ricotta mixture and place in a buttered baking dish. Once all shells are filled pour cup of half and half over all and sprinkle with parmigiano regiano. Bake at 350 for 20-25. Serve immediately spooning extra sauce from the bottom of the dish on top and finishing off with some more cheese.

Food is Love, xoxo JDK