Yesterday I made a wonderful baked ziti for dinner. For fun, I decided to stir in about 1/2 of a small container of ricotta cheese and some fresh basil from the garden. Turns out, that was a fantastic idea! So today I see that 1/2 empty container or ricotta and wonder how I can use the remainder in tonight's dinner of mesquite chicken and scalloped potatoes. The lightbulb went off and during tater prep I stirred the remaining cheese into the liquid mixture before adding the potatoes. Can I just tell you this was an awesome addition to the boxed mix? Well, I will anyway--it was FABULOUS! So that got me thinking. Because whipping up the boxed scalloped potatoes is both easy and affordable, I wondered what other additions that could be tossed in to make dinner a little more special. Here are a few things right off the top of my head. I would love to hear your ideas as well! The amount you add will depend on your taste and sense of adventure. But as a guideline, I would start with about 1/2 cup per one box recipe.
- Crumbled bacon bits
- Extra sharp cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Cubed turkey, chicken or ham (raid the leftovers and throw them in!)
- Chopped cook veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots (sneak in those veggies for the kiddos!)
- Or a unique combination of any of the above. I'm thinking cubed chicken, broccoli and bacon bits would be really yummy.
Play around and experiment at home before you take your new signature dish to your next party or potluck. I'll be very curious to see what you all come up with. Please share!
Make it a Gift: Once you have mastered the recipe, find a great serving dish that will transport easily. Here's an affordable one that I just found on Amazon for $14.99 plus shipping:
CorningWare Creations 2-Quart Covered Oval Casserole, Onyx
Creative Taters Make Wonderful Gifts!
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