My Man is Going to Love This!

We've had a few amazing dinners these past few days or so.  Turkey Black Bean Quesadillas with Fresh Salsa and 50's Diner Style Salisbury Steak with Mash and Deviled Carrots.  But tonight's dinner, I feel, is worth blogging about.  It's creamy.  It's decadent. Tonight's recipe is going to make my man happy.

This dish hasn't been made since Ken and I were newlyweds.  And I wasn't the one who made it.  (I probably didn't have the cooking skills!) You've got to know, Ken is going to love this!  He is working late and is going to be happy/thrilled to come home to a cold beer and one of his favorite foods.  (Did I mention the dishes are done too?)

Crab Manicotti

Serves four.  I suggest a side salad to lighten things up.

Prep: 1 hour

Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 2 cans of crab, drained (I've had one sitting in the cupboard, needing to be used - my inspiration!)
• 1 cup of ricotta
• 1/2 cup asiago cheese, grated (This is what I had on hand, you could use parm or even swiss.)
• Parsley, generous handful, chopped
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 green onions, diced, greens only
• Dash of red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp basil
• 2 Tbsp grated parmigiana  
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Bechamel Sauce:

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Dash of nutmeg

Melt butter then add flour to make your roux.  Cook for approximately 3 minutes or until the flour is cooked and it has a nutty aroma - do not brown.  Meanwhile, warm your milk and cream, then add to roux, whisking constantly.  When your milk thickens, around ten minutes at medium heat, add your salt, pepper and nutmeg.  Do not boil.

Crab Manicotti before going into the oven.

Putting it all together:

Cook your manicotti according to package directions, between 8 - 10 minutes, leaving them al dente.  Cool before handling.  This can be done while you are cooking your bechamel sauce.

This is not diet food!

Using a spoon or your fingers, stuff the filling into the pasta.  (Tip: if your filling isn't sticking together a bit, add a bit of bechamel.)

Place filled manicotti into buttered baking dish.

Cover with bechamel sauce and a bit more cheese.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.