Pots of Love

Anyone who frequents this blog knows how I love to make individual servings of many recipes. Maybe it is my penchant for neatness or maybe I just like cute food. This recipe was a big hit with my family. I heated 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sauteed a diced onion, 3 cloves of diced garlic and some diced peppers from my garden. When they softened, I added 1 pound of ground beef and several links of diced chorizo sausage. Once the meat browned I added salt and pepper, a large can of tomato sauce and allowed that to simmer for 20 minutes. Then I added one large bunch of chopped cilantro. Taste and season with salt and pepper.



Next I made a simple bechamel sauce. Melt one stick of butter in a heavy pan and whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour. Whisk this for a few minutes and then slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk. Continue to whisk until it starts to thicken. Remove from the heat and season with salt, pepper and a bit of nutmeg. Then stir in 1 cup of shredded romano cheese.


Add about 1/4th of the bechamel to the meat sauce.


Stir to combine.


Coat some small bowls or casseroles with cooking spray.


Boil 1 pound of spaghetti until al dente. Do not overcook the pasta because it will continue to cook in the oven.


Mix the spaghetti and the sauce thoroughly.


Then spoon some of the pasta into each casserole.


Top each with the bechamel/cheese mixture and spread it to cover.


Sprinkle each with Parmesan cheese.


Bake in a 350 degree oven until the tops are golden. I baked these for 40 minutes and then put them under the broiler for a short time.


Cute!


Yummy!


Scrumptious.


I think kids would like these too.


***Some people asked me about quinoa yesterday saying they had never heard of it. Quinoa is one of the ancient grains. It comes from the Andean region of South America. It is related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds of all things. It has a very high protein content and a balanced set of amino acids. The Incas named it "the mother of all grains'. It is gluten free and a complete protein source. This is a very healthy food to add to your diet.


***Remember to enter the spell book giveaway by clicking on the button on my sidebar.

Comments

Oh...my...lord. This looks to die for!!
brokenteepee said…
Cute food...heh

Nothing much better than single serve. Then you don't eat tooooo much. But the bechemel rather kills the "light" concept, eh?
My mouth started to watering when I saw what You had made this time :-) This is a must try!
Have a great day now!
Christer.
I adore this! I too love "little, bitty boo, cozy" stuff!

Next week I will be doing my monthly shopping and this is "one more" recipe of your's I will be gathering ingredients for.

I need to have a copy of several of your recipes. How do I manage that. Permission to copy? Let me know, thanks so much!

I'm so damn hungry now for a baby bowl of this recipe. Sigh....

Happy Day...xoxo to "Teddy Wants Mama to Take Her to Salem", tee-hee! :)))

I appreciate your faithful posting of so many good things, garden, food, life & fun!
Gracie said…
Oh,my, You post the very best recipes, and your taking the time to not only provide pictures of the process, but also all the ingredients. I appreciate more than can say. You are of far more help, than you will ever know.

As a Lady I know of says, God Bless You Real Good!
Anonymous said…
That looks fantastic, real yummy !!!!
Sharlene T. said…
Okay. They're adorable. But, I want to hide LOTS of spaghetti on my plate and, this way, everyone gets the same amount. I know, I know, it's all about sharing -- MY share... this looks soooo good and would make a great party setup... have dutifully copied the recipe...

I love to fix myself a bowl of quinoa for lunch and add a few veggies or turn it into a warm cereal with sugar and cream... it's delicious but I have to go clear across town to get it so I buy in bulk... I think I'll make some for tonight...

Twitter: SolarChief
I just love reading your food posts!
This looks really good.
Anonymous said…
Oh to die for, and then came the cheese! I think Parm. is my absolute favorite cheese. Dream about this is what I will do - I know hubby would love it, and we would both blow up literally by eating all of it! I am a red sauce freak - then you added cilantro! Woa wow ! Maybe I do it next week, hehe.
Teresa said…
That is such a yummy sounding recipe. I just love the easy nature of single-servings.
William Bezek said…
Gawd!!! You can make "cute food" for me anytime you like.
Anonymous said…
Am I right in leaving replies on your blog? Oh I am such a newbie! Please come to england and teach me how to cook. Toast is about my limit. The heat is just, ridiculous. Its 80 something here - if I was in the US right now I think I would be ill.
Aimee said…
I had to show this to my son, who drooled on my keyboard when he saw these. Looks like I have a new recipe to try out.
Celia said…
This looks SO delicious! I can't wait to try it!
Caz said…
Note to self.. never read your blog when husband is around LOL. He was just drooling over this dish! I have been informed it is a MUST DO!