When we first moved back to Omaha, we discovered what was a new place to us-Carrabba's Italian Grill. It was awesome! I loved it and in fact, last year for my 9th Anniversary my husband and I ordered Carraba's to go at my request for dinner! (As a side note, yesterday was my 10th anniversary-it has been far too long since I ate there.)

Well, Carraba's has a fun Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook right now that I could hardly wait to try it out! Any guesses as to what my pasta personality is?! Here was my result...

I am Penne Franco...I love how my pasta personality is "One of a Kind"! Love that! Plus the Penne Franco looks and sounds to good it is making me drool just a little bit! Want to have some fun with Carraba's and find out your Pasta Personality as well? Go to the Carraba's Facebook page, like them, then take the Carraba's Pasta Personality Quiz.

I honestly LOVE pasta and this meal looks fantastic and it got me thinking about my favorite pastas. As many of you know, I am Greek. So, my ultimate favorite pasta is a Greek recipe for Pastichio which we sometimes call "Greek Lasagna". I have been eating this since I was a little girl and it is the BEST! Seriously, It is SOOO good! It is a Greek family recipe, and my mom and XiaXia (grandma in Greek) are totally cool with my sharing the recipe with all of you lucky readers!! Check it out (this makes a big huge pan of this and you will have leftovers...feel free to make a half batch!! Oh and consider this fair warning that it is a decadent yummy food, but it is far from low cal...):

Pastichio (This is broken up into 2 parts-the base and the cream sauce-they bake together in the oven in the end)


Base Mixture
1-1.5 lb Ziti or Pasta Penne
2.5-3 lb Ground Beef
2 large chopped onions
Olive Oil
1 small can tomato paste
1 lb grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese
4 Eggs
1/2 C butter
3/4 t cinnamon
1/2 cinnamon stick
dash nutmeg
salt & Pepper
butter to grease pan


Brown onions in a little olive oil, add the ground beef and brown. Drain the grease well. TO this, add tomato paste, cinnamon, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook about 15 minutes covered until you have a thick sauce-add a little water if necessary-let cool. Remove cinnamon stick, then add 2 well-beaten eggs and mix well (make sure mix is cool before adding eggs or they will cook). Then cook for about 5 more minutes.


Boil pasta as directed on package and drain well. Beat 2 eggs in a large pot or bowl and add the pasta to them. Grease the sides and bottom of a large (DEEP) roasting pan (you can use the large foil disposable pans from the store if you do not have a big roasting pan). Cover the bottom of the pan with half the pasts/egg mixture. Sprinkle well with the grated cheese. Next add the meat mixture and pack down well. Add the rest of the pasta mixture, and again generously add a layer of the grated cheese. Melt 1/2 C butter and drizzle over mix in pan. Move on to Cream sauce...


Cream Sauce
3 C Milk
3 C Half and Half
1/2 C butter
3 heaping T flour
6 beaten Eggs
salt to taste


Step 1-Warm and heat in a large double boiler: Half the milk, half the Half and Half, all butter, and salt to taste.


Step 2-Mix remaining milk and half and half with flour. Stir until smooth. Add 6 beaten eggs and mix completely. Add this mixture very slowly to the step 1 mixture on the stove. You add slowly and stir constantly because you do not want the eggs to cook separately from the mix. Continue stirring until the mixture is thick (this could be a while).


Pour thickened mixture immediately over the pasta meat mixture in the roasting pan. Sprinkle the top lightly with the remaining cheese, a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes (check it in 20 minutes and if it is getting too brown turn down to 350 degrees).

This is a pretty extensive recipe as you can see and it is high calorie, but it is SOOOOO good!

If you don't want to go through the trouble of making my favorite though, you could just head over to Carrabba's Italian Grill where they have the Carrabba’s Signature Pasta Meals and New Limited Time Offers:

Signature Pasta Meals, featuring seven distinctive dishes served with choice of soup or fresh salad starting at $10. There’s no better place than Carrabba’s to enjoy a complete Italian meal – any day of the week.

CARRABBA’S PASTA: Carrabba’s makes every pasta dish by hand with the freshest ingredients. Pasta is cooked perfectly every time and signature sauces are made from scratch daily. Creative flavors and combinations of ingredients are part of Carrabba’s authentic family recipes as well as new creations.

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Now through July 2011.
Featured Signature Pasta Meal:
Pasto Rambo – Named for the chef who created it, it’s made with shrimp tossed with imported Italian linguine, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes sautéed in our basil lemon butter sauce. Lobster is available instead of shrimp for an additional cost.

Other Limited Time Offers:
Parmesan-crusted Chicken – Topped with fresh arugula and grape tomatoes tossed in a hand-prepared lemon vinaigrette, served with choice of side. Substitution of wood-grilled chicken also available. Pairs well with Estancia Pinot Grigio.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – Three pork tenderloin medallions wrapped with prosciutto, wood-grilled and topped with an apple and fig infused port wine sauce, served with the vegetable of the day. Pairs well with Coppola Pinot Noir.

Limoncello Bread Pudding – Back by popular demand! Brioche bread pudding made with fresh Madagascar vanilla beans and a rich custard, served hot out of the oven. Topped with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and drizzled with Carrabba’s homemade Caravella Limoncello liqueur sauce.

Now Introducing:
Peach Sangria – Carrabba’s new light and fruity Peach Sangria blends Copper Ridge White Zinfandel, Absolut Apeach vodka and Patrón Citrónge with a splash of citrus. Topped with a fresh lemon wedge and strawberry, it’s a taste of the Amalfi Coast in spring.

Locations: Visit http://www.blogger.com/www.carrabbas.com for the closest Carrabba’s location. There are more than 230 locations nationwide.

About Carrabba’s:
Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola founded the first Carrabba’s Italian Grill in 1986 in Houston, Texas. Today, there are 232 Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations around the country, run by passionate local proprietors focused on delighting guests with fresh, made-to-order Italian cuisine and the ultimate dining experience. Carrabba’s serves dinner seven nights a week in a casual environment that pairs innovative dishes and a complementary wine list with abundant hospitality. For on-the-go guests, Carrabba’s also offers convenient Carside Carry-Out. To learn more about Carrabba’s, please visit http://www.carrabbas.com/ .

So, have a little fun and go take the quiz to see how your personality compares to some of Carrabba’s signature pasta dishes! http://www.facebook.com/Carrabbas?sk=app_142632109083371

After you take the quiz, let me know what your Pasta personality is, and tell me about one of your family favorite pasta recipes!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Carrabba’s blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Here are my favorite deals in Omaha grocery this week:

Hyvee

• Hy Vee 100% Natural Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast $1.88
• Yoplait Yogurt 4 or 6 oz 10/$4 ($.40 each)
• Pillsbury Cake Mix $.88
• Pillsbury Frosting 2/$3
• Hy Vee Tortilla Chips 13.5-13.6 oz $1.28
• Red Ripe Strawberries $2.28
• Always Pads or Tampax Tampons 20-48 ct $5.48
• Huggies Jumbo Pack 12-50 Ct $8.97

In addition to their regular week long special, Hy Vee also has a 4 Days of Savings Sale Wednesday 5/11--Saturday 5/14 that includes the following:

• 1 lb Bananas FREE (with in ad coupon-max value $.69)
• Potato, Macaroni, or Spring Salad or Cole Slaw 3 lb tub $4.99 (that is about $1.67/lb)

AND In addition to all those specials, Hy Vee also has a Friday the 13th Sale Friday 5/13 (my little girls 3rd birthday) that includes the following:

• 7-Up Product 6 pack half liter bottles 6/$10 (or about $1.67 each)
• Edy's Ice Cream 1.5 Quart $1.99
• Mars Candy standard size 3/$1
• Suave Shampoo or Conditioner 22.5 Fl oz $.99
• Peter Pan Peanut Butter 3 packs are $2.97 (48.9 oz-like paying $.99 each jar)
• Purex 150 fl oz $3.99

No Frills Fresh

• Boneless Pork Ribeye Chops or Roast $1.88/lb
• Orville Reddenbacher's 3-4 pack microwave popcorn 2/$2 with in ad coupon
• Our Family Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 3 lb $5.99 with in ad coupon
• El Monterey Taquitos, mini CHimis or Tamales 21-24 oz $4.99
• Cucumber $.39 each

In addition to their regular week long special, No Frills Fresh also has a 3 Day Sale Friday 5/13-Sunday 5/15 that includes the following:

• Our Family Ice Cream $3.98 (140 oz)
• Bar S Jumbo Franks $.88 16 oz

In addition to their regular week long specials, No Frills at Baker's Square (132nd and Center) also additional deals all week that includes the following:

• 5% discount on entire order for Senior Citizens "55 or better"
• Spring Hill Brand Bacon 16 oz $1.99
• 24 oz No Frills White Sandwich Bread $.69 with in ad coupon
• 7 Up, Dr Pepper or Sunkist product 6 pack half liter bottles $.98 with in ad coupon ($1.98 without)

Bag N Save

• Our Family Cheese 8 oz shredded or chunk $.99 (limit 6)
• Van Camp's Pork and Beans 15 oz $.19 (with in ad coupon)
• Extra Large Mangos $.88
• Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4 ct $.59 with in ad coupon (my new snack love...)
• Pam cooking Spray 6 oz $1.99 with in ad coupon
• Banquet Family Entrees $1.69 with in ad coupon

In addition to their regular week long special, Bag N Save also has a 3 Day Sale Friday 5/13-Sunday 5/15 that includes the following:

• Shasta Canned pop 12/$1.99
• Our Family American Singles $.99 

Baker's (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Pepsi product 2 L Buy 4 (at $1.25) get 2 free
• Capri Sun or Kool Aid Jammers $1.40 with qualifying purchase of 10 participating items (there are many items)
• Artichokes 10/$10

Aldi

• Little Salad Bar 12 oz garden salad bag $.49
• Grape Tomaoes 10 oz clam shell $.99
• Multi colored Peppers 3 pack $1.79
• Mushrooms 8 oz package $.79

Super Saver

• Strawberries 11 lb flat $9.77 (Starts FRIDAY while supplies last)
• Dozen Eggs large $.99
• Coke Product 24 packs $5.38 (limit 2)

In addition to their regular week long special, Super Saver also has a Weekend Sale Friday 5/13-Sunday 5/15 that includes the following:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 3 lb $4.98
• Coke 2 L $.88

Fareway

• Strawberries $.99/lb
• Green Giant 10 lb russett potaotes $1.99

In addition to their regular week long special, Fareway also has a 2 Day Sale Friday 5/13-Saturday 5/14 that includes the following:

• Ruffles Chips $1.78
• Seedless Watermelon $2.88 each
• Coke Product 2 L $.78

***Remember that I generally just price match at Walmart as much as I can rather than go to all the stores separately! I LOVE being able to do that. You can also pricematch at Target, but I find it easier to pricematch at Walmart.

Well, there is a fantastic online Groupon available today! It is $25 for $50 Worth of Diapers and Wellness Products from DiapersDirect.com

Here is how to get this ONLINE DEAL:

1. Sign up for Groupon using my referral link here (PLEASE)

2. Then you can click here to see and purchase this sweet deal!

Sometime today Scrubbing Bubbles (on their facebook page) will be giving away some awesome goodies. Scrubbing Bubbles are my favorite cleaners!! The time for the giveaway is not released, but they posted this status update last week:

Free 4 Fans Hint: What day did Minnesota join the Union? Brush up on your U.S. history to pin point when our next freebie day will happen! Wink, wink – history's easier to digest in the first half of the day…

The answer to when Minnesota joined the Union on 5/11/1858.

Go like Scrubbing Bubbles' facebook page and be on the watch for the giveaway!!

OK Mostly wordless Wednesday...

Last night we went for a walk and there is a fun little grassy hill there at the lake. My little Cat came running down and I could not help but think of Little House on the Prairie...am I the only one?!

This is a fun Freebie...go here and fill out a survey about lunch meat for the good people over at Land O Moms, and they will give you a free mp3 download of your choice from any artist on the Universal Music label. They will do this for the first 250,000 people so your chances of getting over there in time are pretty great! SWEET!

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

Does anyone remember last year when I wrote about how much fun I had at Free Comic Book day last year with my kids?! If not you can read all about the fun here. Go ahead...go read it...there, did you read how fun it was? If you did, you are probably wishing you could have been there. Well, GREAT news! You can go to FREE COMIC BOOK day this year-tomorrow in fact!

Here is the 411 on Free Comic Book Day...The first Saturday in May of each year (tomorrow!), comic book stores across North America (and evidently all around the world) give away comic books for FREE to anyone that comes into their store. That is THIS SATURDAY May 7!! Wowsa!

There is a website, Freecomicbookday.com all about it. Go check that out and see where there are participating stores near you. (There is a store locator on the left side of the sites main page where you can find local shops. Their participation and rules can evidently vary from store to store though so beware of that.)

And FYI locals...There are 6 shops in the Omaha area participating!

It should be pretty awesome, so you may want to go check it out! I will be there with all 5 kiddos!

SOOO...my "winning experiment" has taken a hyatis while I have had the baby and tried to adjust to being a mom of 5...wow that is harder than people say...

BUT in spite of the fact that I have not entered many giveaways, I have managed to win a few things and a couple of them were big ones! Here is one of the Biggies!! I won a mamaRoo plush in Green Jax.

If you check out the 4moms website here, and scroll down a bit, you will see this:

How awesome will this be for baby Everest?! I cannot wait for it to get here!! WAHOO!!!

Locals-This is AWESOME!! Lauritzen Gardens is FREE tomorrow (Friday May 6) from 9am-5pm?! Maybe I will see some of you there! (I so wish it was not Kindergarten round up so I could spend the whole day there...)

I have been looking for great last minute Mothers Day items to tell you about (and frankly for my mom and mother-in-law), so I was super excited this morning to get an email from Walgreens about Free 8x10 Collage Prints.

Here is the 411: Walgreens is offering a FREE 8×10 Collage Print thru Saturday. All you have to do is enter the code FREECOLLAGE at checkout. Make sure you select to pick it up at your local Walgreens. Or if you, like me, live far from mom, have it sent to HER local Walgreens. Maybe it is tacky to have her pick it up, but it is convenient and my mom would not mind picking it up to get a cute collage of her grandkids! (I might actually send there and have my sister pick it up for me to give to my mom though).

I was pretty excited about this free pic, but it was only one picture and I have 2 moms I am looking to get something for. So, I was really excited when I saw Couponing to Disney update her blog a few minutes ago with a SECOND code you can use to get another free 8×10 collage from Walgreens. Just use code FORMOM at checkout!

Looks like I have something for the mommas now!!