Spinach Manicotti

Special for family or for company, it is a lovely cheese and vegetable dish
that is healthy and looks nice on the table too.


You will need a 15 oz tub of ricotta or some cottage cheese

1 package of frozen chopped spinach. Thaw it and then squeeze dry.
1 and 1/2 cups of shredded part skim mozzarella cheese. Divide this portion
in half.
1 egg beaten lightly
3/4 of a cup of shredded parmesan cheese, divide this into 2 portions
also.
2 teaspoons of minced parsley
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
about 56 oz of spagetthi sauce, your own or bottled store bought.
Parboil* the manicotti.. dont let it get too soft, it should still be
somewhat stiff, but pliable since you will finish its cooking in the
oven.

Combine the ricotta or cottage cheese , 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan,
the egg, the spices and the spinach and mix.
Stuff the manicotti with the spinach mix.
Layer the manicotti in a 13x9 inch baking dish into which you have poured
half your sauce.
pour a bit more sauce on top, sprinkle generously with remaining mozzarella
and parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 to 50 mins. Check after half an hour to
see how it's going.
Don't let the cheese blacken!
Buon appetito

*parboil:

Parboiling is a technique that is similar to blanching, but takes a
bit longer.
Parboiled food is actually partially cooked. This technique is
especially useful
when you are stir-frying foods that take different amounts
of time to cook.