Name: Squash and Ricotta Stuffed Shells in Vodka Sauce
Yield: 1

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New York

Spicy Vodka Sauce

Crispy Pork Belly

Forest Mushroom 'Bolognese' with Rigatoni

Handmade Chicken, Artichoke, and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Garlicky Green Beans

Pinsa Prosciutto Caprese

Pizza with Basil Pesto

Pomodoro Rotelle with Fresh Burrata

Mediterranean Spiced Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Four-Cheese Ravioli

Larry and Marc Forgione

This member of the mint family has been used as a medicinal plant, and its oils and extracts are said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Fragrant fresh basil, for instance, offers a healthy dose of blood-clotting vitamin K -- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil provide 27% of the RDA -- as well as vitamin A, manganese, and magnesium. (You can find more vitamin K in green leafy veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and spinach -- but talk to your doctor if you’re taking a blood thinner such as warfarin; you don’t want too much or too little K.

Basil

Basil Pesto

Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of many minerals including copper, selenium and phosphorus. They are also an excellent source of B vitamins including vitamin B2, niacin and pantothenic acid. In addition, crimini mushrooms are a very good source of potassium, zinc, vitamin B1 and manganese.

Cremini Mushrooms

No doubt one of the most multipurpose foods! Scrambled, hard-boiled or in omelets, egg is an ingredient that can never be absent in any house. Because eggs store significant amount of high-quality protein they are categorized as meat in the dietary guidelines for Americans. Another interesting fact is that they have zero carbohydrates: the white is 100% proteins and the yolk is a mixture of protein and fat. They are also a good source of several vitamins such as vitamin A, vital for a healthy vision and cell repair, B-complex vitamins (riboflavin, choline, B12) and the hard to find bone-healthy Vitamin D. Eggs also contain some essential minerals such as phosphorus, Zinc and some even are rich in omega-3.

Eggs

One of the Mediterranean´s diet main ingredients, extra virgin olive oil provides a special flavor and aroma to each dish while adding no cholesterol and almost no saturated fat. It has omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) which may help to lower total blood cholesterol and "bad cholesterol" (LDL) while increasing "good cholesterol" (HDL), therefore contributing to decreasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases. Moreover, it has vitamin E which is known to have antioxidant properties by protecting cells from free radicals. This vitamin is also involved in the immune function and other metabolic processes. That the oil is Virgin means that it has undergone less industrial processing, it is more natural. Therefore all its nutritional and organoleptic properties remain intact for your body to take advantage off!! 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Known for its unique aroma and its strong, spicy flavor that mellows and sweetens with its cooking, garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in all cuisines. Some studies have shown that it has antibacterial and potential anticancer properties. Other investigations state that it may also help regulate blood pressure and make blood thinner, thus protecting the heart. So go ahead and spice up your life with garlic!

Garlic

Because of its antibacterial properties, pepper is also used to preserve food. It is a rich source of manganese, iron, potassium, vitamin-C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Black pepper is also a very good anti-inflammatory agent.

Ground Black Pepper

Heavy cream is a healthy fat that helps keep your blood sugar stable between meals and snacks, which means consistent energy and brain power—not to mention it makes your coffee taste decadent!

Heavy Cream

Also known as koshering salt, it is specially recognized because of its flake-like shape. Even though all three salts- sea, table and kosher- contain the same amount of sodium per gram, kosher salt yields less sodium per tablespoon because of its coarser grain. In other words, it enhances the flavor of each ingredient while protecting your heart from an excessive sodium intake!!

Kosher Salt

The harder the cheese, the higher the calcium content! So parmesan is a marvelous source of calcium for your bones and teeth. Only a 1-ounce serving provides 33% of the daily value for calcium. Besides, it is also rich in high-quality proteins and phosphorus. It is worth noting that a small amount of vitamin D exists in parmesan, which is very difficult to find in food. Vitamin D is important to help build and maintain strong, calcified bones. Furthermore, parmesan is rich in umami taste!

Parmesan Cheese

Pasta is a perfect foundation for healthy, nutritious and satisfying meals: pasta is generally eaten with nutrient-dense food partners, such as fiber-filled vegetables and beans, heart healthy fish and monounsaturated oils, antioxidant-rich tomato sauce and protein-packed cheeses, poultry and lean meats.

Pasta

While antioxidant nutrients are found in most WHFoods, it's the diversity of antioxidants in pumpkin seeds that makes them unique in their antioxidant support. Pumpkin seeds contain conventional antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E.

Pumpkin Seeds

Besides capsaicin, chilies contain antioxidants, including vitamin C and carotenoids, which might also help improve insulin regulation. A little chili pepper can really perk up an omelet, add heat to a black bean/sweet potato soup, or transform an ordinary salad dressing. So, spice up your meals with chili peppers.

Red Chili Flakes

One of the favorite veggies in kids dishes, tomatoes have a good deal of healthy nutrients to give! It is used in diverse ways like raw in salads, cooked in pasta and processed into ketchup, tomato soup, juice and even used in cocktails such as the famous Bloody Mary. Tomatoes are a good combination of dietary fiber, vitamin C, provitamin A (as beta-carotene and lutein), potassium and very low sodium.  Remember that vitamin C is an excellent aid to your immune system, for growth and repair of connective tissue and also helps to absorb non-heminic iron found in plant-based food. 

San Marzano Tomatoes

Shallot is a type of bulb vegetables that belongs to the amaryllis family. It is closely related with onion and garlic. Shallot is rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins A, B1, B6, B9 and C and minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese and copper. Like other types of onions, shallot releases allyl sulfide (gas) during the slicing. This substance reacts with the moisture from the air and creates sulfuric acid which irritates eyes and leads to the formation of tears.

Shallots

Tomato juice is a juice made from tomatoes, usually used as a beverage, either plain or in cocktails such as a Bloody Mary, a Caesar, or Michelada.

Tomato Juice

Tomato paste is a thick paste made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content, straining out the seeds and skins, and cooking the liquid again to reduce the base to a thick, rich concentrate.

Tomato Paste

Tomatoes

Vodka

This food is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.

Squash and Ricotta Stuffed Shells in Vodka Sauce

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