The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

NOT Just Another Pretty Plate!

Dear Ones,

I won't bore you with the "No More Dishes" that I continually hear from "Mr. Ed" throughout this post... but I have to share that these gratin dishes are. . . 

NOT just another pretty plate!!!



Purchased on a recent shopping trip, I was hopeful that I would find four of these lovelies. I am, still on the search for one more.



So~o~o. . .in the meanwhile I will use these for "Mr. Ed" and I to enjoy eating our meals and left~overs from!

Since I am still employed part~time, I often times cook an entire recipe and then freeze a portion or serve enhanced left~overs!

Last week, I made a huge pot of spaghetti noodles and homemade spaghetti sauce.
"Mr. Ed" must have thought I'd invited guests without his knowledge. . .but I just decided to make an entire batch and only do the clean~up once! So~o~o. . .



out came the gratin dishes! I sprayed them with PAM Olive Oil, and began layering  in the left~overs! First the spaghetti noodles. . .



Next, I spooned on an ample portion of the left~over spaghetti sauce.



Then, I topped it off with a blend of Three Italian grated cheeses.



...and baked it in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Just until the cheeses were melted and bubbling! The aroma that permeated the house was divine!



Of course, I had to set off those gratin dishes by placing them atop one of my restaurant oval platters!




These are not only pretty dishes...but clean~up was a breeze!




Left~over spaghetti served with mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks!


On Crooked Creek. . .

NOT just another pretty plate!



Until next time. . .

13 comments:

Martha said...

They are wonderful dishes! And perfect for servings for one!

Anonymous said...

I think I need to be on the lookout for some of these great dishes!! They would be perfect for hubby and me!!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

They look gorgeous - but, to be honest, I am very preoccupied looking at that yummy meal and thinking how good it would taste!! Fancy cooking dinner for me tonight?!

Sarah

Carey's Farmhouse Kitchen said...

This looks so pretty and instant portion control!

podso said...

Pat it looks lovely in the new light look of your china cabinet! And without a doubt I have a miniature to your larger-able-to-hold-a-serving-of-spaghetti au gratin dishes. As I think I said, mine would hold a stick of butter! What a great idea for an easy clean up meal. I also like to cook extra as we love left overs! Hubby says if it's good once, it's often better a second time!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Oh yum, save some for me.

Babs said...

Pat, the gratin dishes look great and so does the spaghetti...are there any leftovers in the freezer? :) Yum!! Pretty placemats, too.
Hugs,
Babs

bj said...

Love the dishes...
and the spaghetti looks marvelous.
I, too, serve oranges and pineapples a lot...love it....yep, excuse me please while I go make a bowl of them for a snack. :)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I had to come back to right the recipe down for this meal - it's been haunting me since I read it on your blog. Yum!!

Sarahx

Barb said...

Hi Pat, I love the dishes...just so cute and the spaghetti looks divinely delicious! I love pasta of any kind.

Have a wonderful and blessed day,
xoBarb

Marlis said...

Those are wonderful plates!!! Love the shape. Your spaghetti looks fabulous too. I also enjoyed the wonderful post with your gorgeous teacups. xo marlis

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Now I'm so hungry! What a yummy dish! I love those dishes. We used to go to an Italian restaurant in Midland, Texas, many years ago called Luigi's and they made the best lasagna I've ever eaten and served it in dishes just like this.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

labbie1 said...

Yum! I should not have read this when it was dinner time! LOL I really like the gratin dishes but didn't know what they were called until I read your blog.