What to do with Ricotta Cheese and French Onion Dip?

I think when you have children, your idea of relaxation changes.  At least this is what has happened to me.  Before children, to relax, I used to sleep in late, watch movies, get a pedicure, go out to eat, even go on vacation.  All of this has changed!  Today to relax, I'll drink a diet pepsi on the back porch while Andy gives the kids a bath.  Or, I'll go get the mail, BY MYSELF :)  I like to walk around my house and look at plants I never would have noticed before I had children.  Anything for five minutes of quiet.  Instead of watching movies, we now watch episodes of shows on Hulu.  They don't take as long.  This applies to my cooking too- I'm always thinking fast and easy.  But I also want my cooking to be delicious, economical and kid friendly.  That's quite a list to fulfill for every meal, however this recipe fits it to a T.  Creamy Sausage and Potato Supper.  It's a one pot meal that I served with a side of strawberries.  It's healthy and delicious.  I hope you and your family love it!

Creamy Sausage and Potato Supper
Ingredients:
8 Small to Medium Sized Potatoes (I used 4 red and 4 russet)
25 Thin Stalks of Asparagus
1/2 Large Yellow Onion
3/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese
1/3 Cup French Onion Dip
1/2 Package of Cream Cheese
1/8 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1/3 Cup Vanilla Soymilk
1 Egg
1/8 Cup Flour
1 Package Smoked Sausage (I used turkey sausage)
1 TBSP Minced Garlic
3/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Dried Basil

1. Wash and cut potatoes into medium sized chunks (the same size you would use for potato salad.  Do not peel.  Put into a large soup pot.

2. Cut the bottom, tough part of the asparagus off.  Chop each stalk into 4 to 5 pieces.  Put into soup pot.
3. Chop onion and throw into pot too.  Cover vegetables with water and boil for ten minutes uncovered.   Turn off heat on stove.  Drain vegetables and put back into soup pot.
4. Add to the pot the ricotta cheese, French onion dip, parmesan cheese, soymilk, cream cheese, egg and flour.  Stir until creamy and smooth.  Turn stove back on at medium heat. 
6.  Chop sausage and add to the pot.  Also add garlic, salt and basil.  Cook for 15 more minutes covered.  Stir frequently so the bottom won't burn.  Let cool 5 minutes and serve.

What to do with French Onion Dip?

This weekend my wise, older brother turned 33.  Yea Mike!  My mom and dad threw him a really fun surprise party with lots of family and friends.  We were fortunate enough to be the beneficiaries of some really yummy food leftover from the party.  Lately, we've been so busy that I really haven't had a lot of time to cook.  On Monday I looked into our fridge and knew I needed to cook a lot!  Our fridge was stocked with food.  So, from the leftover French Onion Dip was born Mini Turkey and Broccoli Cannelloni.  I made them with a red sauce, but I think they would be even more delicious if you used a white alfredo sauce. 

Mini Turkey and Broccoli Cannelloni
Ingredients:
1 Box Manicotti Noodles
1 Lb Ground Turkey
1 Package Chopped Frozen Broccoli
1/2 Cup French Onion Dip
1 Cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Bag Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Egg
1 and 1/2 Jars Red Spaghetti Sauce or 2 Jars Alfredo Sauce (or a combination of the two)

1. Boil manicotti noodles following the directions on the box.  When finished, drain water and cut noodles in half.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Cook broccoli in microwave for 5 minutes.  Let cool when finished.  If there are any large pieces, chop them up.
4. In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, broccoli, french onion dip, ricotta cheese, 3/4 bag of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and the egg.
5. Spread a thick layer of spaghetti or alfredo sauce on the bottom of two medium sized baking dishes.  Stuff manicotti noodles with turkey mixture and place in baking dishes.  Cover finished noodles with remaining sauce. 
6. Bake covered for 35 minutes.  Add remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to the top of the noodles.  Cook for 5 more minutes uncovered.   Let cool before serving.