David's Favorite Recipes
Paula’s Christmas Eve Manicotti
SERVES 6 TO 8
Directions - Manicotti "Pancakes"
In a blender, combine the flour, eggs, water, and salt. Blend until smooth and let sit for 10 minutes.
In the bottom of a 10-to-12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, pour in enough batter to form 1 thin pancake. Cook until its underside is golden and the top changes color from milky to light yellow, about 1 minute. Do not flip, but cut in half and remove with a spatula to a large plate. Repeat with the remaining batter. You should have 18 to 24 manicotti “pancakes.”
Directions - Marinara Sauce
Pour the tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into the can and slosh it around to get tomato juices; reserve.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and, as soon as the garlic is sizzling but before it starts to brown, add the tomatoes and then the reserved water, salt, and oregano. Simmer the sauce until thickened and the oil on its surface is a deep orange color, about 15 minutes. Add more salt and oregano to taste and set aside.
Directions - Filling
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients. (Cooked chicken or hamburger can be mixed into the filling, if desired.) Spoon some of the filling into each pancake, roll it up, and place seam down in a greased baking pan. Repeat with the remaining filling and pancakes, placing them side by side in the pan in a single layer.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil, spoon on the Marinara Sauce, and bake uncovered for about 15 minutes longer. Serve 2 or 3 manicotti, per person, topped with Parmesan and chopped fresh basil.
It was a holiday tradition in my family for many years for my late wife Paula to make her wonderful homemade manicotti on Christmas Eve. She could prepare it earlier in the day and just heat it up in the oven for dinner as we got into the full Christmas swing. Paula did not use pasta, instead making her own manicotti “pancakes” resembling delicate filled crepes. Then she topped it with the award-winning marinara sauce recipe from the New York Times. Absolutely delicious!
Ingredients - Manicotti "Pancakes"
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup water
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Ingredients - Marinara Sauce
1 (28-ounce) can whole San Marzano tomatoes
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Ingredients - Filling
½ pound ricotta cheese
½ pound mozzarella, cut into small cubes
1 large egg
1 (10-ounce) package chopped frozen spinach
1 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh basil, for topping