It’s The Little Things: Pie Crust Cookies

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I have been really sick. How sick? Well, I have not had a glass of wine since Christmas. That’s how sick. I know. Who knew it was possible? It has been thirteen days of a cold with a fever and I am now beginning to think it is time to see a doctor.

Or not.

We’ll see.

It makes for interesting dreams.

But in the meantime, my sweet mother brought me over the nicest gift in the world. It was a container of pie crust cookies.

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Pie crust cookies happen to be my most favorite thing in the whole wide world. My mother and grandmother used to make them all through my childhood. They start with homemade pie crust dough (which is why I never make them). The pie crust dough is rolled out then generously sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Then cut into long irregular shapes, punched with a fork, and put into the oven to bake. Hence the clever name, “pie crust cookies.” I don’t know where or how they came up with that.

When she delivered these, I almost cried in my delirious state.

They have been what has kept me going these last few days.

Well, that and a glorious little product called heaven Sudafed.

Have you ever had these delightful little treats? And why does everything taste so much better when your mom makes it? What’s your favorite thing to have when you are sick? Spaghetti for some reason also always makes me feel better. It is what we are having for dinner tonight.

It’s the little things: anything that makes you feel better when you are sick.

Thanks Mom.

Leftover Spaghetti Take II

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I was all set to make my leftover spaghetti meal with my tried and true recipe, but then I realized I did not have cream cheese. My heart was very heavy that day. I just did not have the energy to make it to the store.

I thought, hmmm…Can I make it with tears?

Just kidding. I raided my pantry. I had thought ahead and had bought a red bell pepper. So, I knew I wanted to incorporate it.

Here is what I came up with:

Ingredients

Leftover spaghetti meat with sauce
One extra jar pasta sauce
Pasta (any old kind you like)
1/4 cup red wine (cause it was that kind of night)
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded four cheese mexican
1/2 cup italian cheese
1/4 cup and 1 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1/4 – 1/2 cup bread crumbs (depending on how you want your bread crumb to butter ratio for the topping. I have tried both measurements. I like them both. In the pictures, I am using 1/4 cup.)
1/2 stick melted butter (1/4 cup)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 diced and seeded red bell pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
Tears

Preheat oven to 350 degrees or 325 degrees convection bake (if you have a convection oven).

Boil noodles according to instructions. Before you drain, reserve 1/3 cup water from pot. Carefully. Set aside. Drain noodles. Set aside.

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Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add diced red bell pepper. Cook approximately 5 minutes until soft. Add wine to skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes until it is bubbling and calling your name.

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Add leftover spaghetti sauce and new jar of sauce to skillet. Heat up until boiling. Add salt and pepper. Stir.

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In the meantime, mix together melted butter, bread crumbs, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Set aside.

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Turn off heat to pasta sauce. Add reserved water. Stir. Add sour cream. Quickly stir. Add noodles. Stir.

Add shredded italian and four cheese mexican cheese and you guessed it…stir.

Place in casserole dish.

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Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes until edges are bubbling.

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Turn oven to broil. Broil casserole until the top is just golden brown. This should be thirty seconds to one minute. Watch this!

Then serve it up with salad! This was actually incredibly delicious. The bell pepper with the red wine added that “something special.”

I never know how it is going to go when I throw leftovers together. My family really liked this. So, I will definitely be making it again! I recommend just trying new things. Putting tastes you like together. The worst that could have happened was that the leftovers were ruined and we would have eaten salad for dinner. Yes, I am the mom saying play with your food. It is fun!

What has been your most successful leftover food recreation?