There must be a better way to squeeze the cheese/spinach mixture in those manicotti tubes? I had planned to do it myself, but realized when I had the filling gizmo in both my hands, I still needed another 1 or 2 hands, so DH came to the rescue. Well, you know these guys, filling those tubes brought about all sorts of uhhh, mmmm, uhhh unmentionable guy-stuff conversation! He was happy, but the manicottis ended up a mess. I don't make them often - is there a better way? You can see my hand slobber all over the tube and many of the manicottis split when we filled them. Maybe overcooked?
But they were/are delicious!
Anytime I have to "fill" something, I use a ziploc bag with the tip cut off. You can cut a small triangle off the lower corner for filling deviled eggs. I suppose you could cut a larger triangle to fill manicotti. I've never tried it though.
ReplyDeleteI use the same method as Paula. But I usually fill the jumbo shells. Boy does that look good.
ReplyDeleteTwo things to do: 1) The Ziplok bag mentioned already, and 2) fill UNcooked manicotti shells (easy!) and use extra water when cooking so the shells cook in the oven. Let me know if you want me to send you a sample recipe.
ReplyDeleteI do the ziploc trick also, but I just fill half a shell and then flip it around and fill the other half. I have tried using uncooked noodles, but I prefer to cook them first. I just rinse the noodles really really well after boiling them and the "stickiness" goes away and they are much easier to handle.
ReplyDeleteI found using a baby spoon and filling both ends worked for me.
ReplyDeleteThe baby spoon will go inside the noodle so you can push it gently in one side then the other end.
Hmmm.. so many hints and such a delicious looking dish.
ReplyDeleteEven if it looks a mess, it still looks delicious, & well, who cares about presentation if the taste is right!!
ReplyDeleteThe zip lock bag is such a good tip!!
I use a large frosting bag (it is re-usable) with the large tip for frosting. You can easily do 1/2 the tube, flip the tube and then do the other 1/2. I use the extra large star tip for deviled eggs. Hope you enjoyed your meal!
ReplyDeleteCheers! Evelyn
Oh gosh that looks good! My daughter made these lasgna rolls that are like mannicotti only you make the lasgna noodles and roll the cheese up in them. Same taste, easier making!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's Italian grandmother gave me Italian cooking lessons by mail when we were first married. She said to split the manicotti shell open or to use a lasagna noodle cut in half.
ReplyDeleteNow I know what I want for supper.
The ziplock is a great idea. I am just adding to that tip for people who like to save on a dirty mixing bowl and spoon and also get kids in the kitchen. The kids and I dump all ingredients that need to be mixed (ricotta, spinach, garlic etc) in the bag and my kids knead the bag to get it ready to fill the noodles. This works awesome for deviled eggs too!
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