Pasta N' Boots

Pasta N' Boots

I am a bit grumpy today this week this month.

Even though it’s completely understandable, I still wish I felt better. Not being able to do some of the things I really enjoy (like, say…walking) makes me not only bitchy grumpy, but a little bit barn-sour to boot.

Speaking of “boots”- I get to wear one. Not long- term and not the sexy kind you get from Steve Madden. It’s for a few weeks, this time, although my podiatrist cheerfully informed me that I should expect this to “reappear your whole life”. I love Dr. Val, but seriously? Hasn’t he ever heard of sugar- coating it????

So…”it” is plantar fasciitis, which is painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia…in English, the plantar fascia runs along the bottom of your foot. When it’s inflamed, it’s incredibly painful and limiting. I probably did it when I was walking six miles a day on asphalt, before I switched to grass. It’s been brewing since about January. Standing hurts. Climbing hurts. Walking the beach hurts. Running hurts. WALKING THE DOG HURTS. Drugs help. Lots and lots of Ibuprofen. And “the stupid looking hot and sweaty gross and unattractive boot”. Tater doesn't trust it. Nope. Not for a minute. It doesn't help that I walk like the Bride of Frankenstien while wearing it...because I am NOT supposed to walk while wearing it.

So I am grumpy, barn sour, bored, and in the depths of my “booted misery” have opted for some good ole' Italian comfort food. This, ironically, is probably the LAST thing I should be eating right now. But if that’s the case, then I am going to make it a sensational pasta night!

Bain sult as! (Enjoy!)

*I made this Ziti using my own homemade sauce instead of jarred sauce*

If you have a recipe you prefer for sauce, I highly recommend using it. I love to make my own sauce, and it was one of the first things my mother taught me to cook.

Thanks Nans. Even after all these years, your sauce is still my favorite.

Listed below is my recipe for sauce, more or less.

Tracy's Marinara Sauce

1 pound ground beef, browned

1 onion, chopped (optional)

Mushrooms (optional)

Worcestershire sauce to taste

Red wine to taste

1 can (10 oz.) tomato paste

1 can (14 oz.) tomato sauce

Approx. 14 oz. water (use tomato sauce can)

Add oregano, garlic, basil, to taste. Herbs can be used fresh or dried, depending on your preference.

After ground beef is browned, return to pan with onions, mushrooms, seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté for a couple of minutes; add wine and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.

Mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Add to meat mixture and simmer 20 minutes or so. You can adjust cook time and temperature as needed, or put the sauce in crock pot to simmer all day.

It’s your kitchen, Witches...

medium heat until beef is browned, stirring frequently.

Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and oregano. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir 1 cup of your sauce into the cooked ziti. Spoon 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Top with 2 cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture and remaining sauce.

Cover and bake 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Return to oven for 10 more minutes or until heated through.

Tracy's Peach Cobbler

2 cups Bisquick

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 large can of sliced peaches

1/4 cup brown sugar

Combine bisquick and sugar. Layer peaches in bottom of baking pan. Top with brown sugar. Layer bisquick and sugar mixture over brown sugar and peaches, but do not stir in. Slice butter into pats and place on cobbler.

Bake at 350 until browned and heated all the way through.

Serve warm with Vanilla ice cream.

Goes well with porch swings and crickets.

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Someone help us...please.