Cooking with the Kids!

 Reed and Keyonna don't get to come very often right now - both are hard workers and have jobs as well as keeping up their own household and taking care of the granddogs - usually three of them - one is a loaner sometimes.

My Mom (Nana), always said one of her favorite things of all time was when we would come and cook with her and I have also discovered that it is one of my favorite things - there is nothing like working in the kitchen with your kids!  Food is Love sometimes and it can be hard to come by that flavorful bite that also feeds your soul when you are missing your people!

One of our favorite dishes that Chads Mom (Granny) used to make was stuffed shell Pierogis.  It is designed as a Pasty type dish originally, but they are easier to make (especially with kids) as a stuffed shell!  I had asked Reed and Keyona if they could come to dinner here at the house and we were having a heck of a time finding a day to do it with everyones busy schedules!  Finally they texted and said "your house Tuesday (the next day)"  and I said "Yes!"

Reed and the Hubby (Hubby's shirt says "Free Hugs" with a cactus and then underneath it says "Just kidding!  Don't touch me!"  It totally suits him most of the time!)

"What would you like to have?" I asked.  Reedo shot right back "Grannys Pierogis!"  And I said "See you then!"  The kids showed up about 5:00 and we got to cooking!  I was still very fresh off of surgery and couldn't do much as I still had the cast on!  It was a bummer but the kids jumped right in and got things going!  They had brought some Aloha ribs (Kalbi maybe?) and Chad grilled those up with the corn on the cob,  while we made the Pierogi stuffed shells.  It was delicious and so much fun to cook with the kids and visit! 

After dinner Keyona took the Hubby out on the porch for a much needed haircut!

She's a pro and he pretty much lets her boss him!  lol

All in all a great night with the kids and many memories were made.  Keyona I don't think got to meet Granny, but she is a good recipe rememberer and she will keep this one in her favorites forever now!  Granny had some recipes (like Pierogi) that she didn't write down, so we have had to sort of figure it out and make our own.  

Hubby and Granny - many years younger than now.

Cancer took her in 2018, exactly 18 months to the day after Rye passed. So now we have two Angels on the other side helping us get through each day, and hopefully remember their recipes right!

I hope that you have a kitchen that is cozy no matter the size, and I hope you have people you love to share it with!  Blessed Be!

Stuffed Shell Pierogi

Preheat oven to 350*

1 box large pasta shells (Jumbo) at least 25 shells

3-4 lbs boiled potatoes - diced -peel them only if the skins are thick

1 stick + butter

1 8 oz. box cream cheese

1/2 C Heavy cream or milk

1/2 C sour cream

1/2 C sharp cheddar + about 1 C more for topping

1/2 C Sharp white cheddar

1-2 tsp. onion powder (we like about 1/2 a carmelized onion in ours)

1-2 tsp garlic powder

6 strips crispy bacon - crumbled - reserve for topping.

Salt and pepper to taste (cheese can be salty so make sure you are tasting).

Cook pasta shells according to package and drain.  Spray a 9x13 pan with oil or coat with butter.  

In a stand mixer whip the next ingredients to make a smooth mashed potato - it should be really yummy and buttery!

Using a spatula, hold the pasta shells in your hand and stuff to brimfull with the potato mixture.  Set them individually into the 9x13 pan in one layer.  Its ok if they are a bit crowded.  Top with the rest of the shap cheddar and the crispy bacon and bake for 20- 25 minutes.  

These can be a main dish, side dish or an appetizer.  They also make great potluck item, and game day platter food!

Enjoy!