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Showing posts with label Supreme Pizza Lasagna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supreme Pizza Lasagna. Show all posts

Friday, October 4, 2024

Friday Recipes

If you've lost track of time, as I have, here's today's news: It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Supreme Pizza Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta. Enjoy!

JIM HARRISON’S CARIBBEAN STEW

This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Jim Harrison, the poet and epicure, hunter and fisherman, novelist, essayist and enthusiastic cook, published a version of this recipe in the literary magazine Smoke Signals in 1981. I adapted it more than three decades later, after Harrison's death in 2016. The key ingredients: a lot of tomato paste and a good, floral hot sauce, ideally made with Scotch bonnet peppers, which combine in marvelous ways. Parboiling the ribs allows the recipe to come together relatively quickly, and the cooking otherwise is totally serial: one step after another until you slide the pot into the oven and allow the heat to do its work. Substitute different meats, or fewer, if you like, depending on availability.”

Time: 2 hours; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This was featured in “A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018697-jim-harrisons-caribbean-stew.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork spareribs, cut into single ribs

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce, ideally one made with Scotch bonnet peppers, or to taste

1 cup chicken stock, homemade or low-sodium

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

Preparation

Place spareribs in a pot, and cover with water. Place pot over high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat slightly, and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, then remove ribs to a large bowl and discard the water.

While the ribs cook, pour the oil into a Dutch oven set over high heat, and swirl it around. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and when the oil begins to shimmer and is about to smoke, add them to the pan, skin-side down. Brown the chicken aggressively, about 5 to 7 minutes per side, then add the chicken to the bowl with the ribs. Repeat with the sausages, browning them on all sides for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then add to the bowl with the chicken and the ribs. Cook the onions and garlic in the fat remaining in the Dutch oven, stirring occasionally until they soften and begin to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Heat oven to 300. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, lemon juice, hot-pepper sauce, chicken stock, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder and paprika to the onions and garlic in the Dutch oven, then stir to combine, and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the meats to the Dutch oven, stirring and tossing them so that they are well covered with the sauce, then cover the pot, and place in the oven to cook, undisturbed, for approximately 90 minutes, or until the meats are tender and, in the case of the chicken and the ribs, pulling from the bone.

JOOK

This is from Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “I first encountered jook, also known as congee, in Hong Kong at dawn after a very long night. I was steered to an anonymous little place, where, I am quite sure, I was not the only person with a headache. It was there that I discovered that this savory Chinese rice porridge was among the world's best breakfasts, especially after a night of indulgence.

“It is transcendent stuff. You might think of it as Chinese risotto, though infinitely less pretentious. It is delightfully creamy, forgiving in its preparation and variable beyond belief.”

Time 2hours 30 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

This was featured in “The Minimalist; From China, Hangover Help”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1839-jook.

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice

2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade, or water

1 3-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced

1/4 pound slab bacon, optional

Soy sauce or salt to taste

1/4 cup crispy cooked bacon, minced, optional

1/4 cup minced scallions

1/2 cup roasted peanuts, optional

Sesame oil for drizzling, optional

Preparation

Wash rice, and put it in a stock pot with chicken stock or water. Place over high heat until stock boils, then add about 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, and turn heat to low. Partly cover pot, simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary (probably about 2 cups more).

Add ginger and slab bacon, and simmer for an hour more or so. Jook should have a porridgelike consistency. If it becomes very thick, add water. When done, jook will be soupy and creamy, like loose oatmeal.

Remove slab bacon, and serve jook in individual bowls. Season with salt or soy sauce, then garnish with minced bacon, scallions and peanuts. Drizzle with sesame oil if desired.

SLOW-COOKER CHEESY CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This slow-cooker pasta packed with Mexican-inspired flavors is cheesy, easy and sure to have everyone asking for seconds every time you make it."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes; Servings; 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ mild enchilada sauce

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix

1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed, softened

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

8 oz cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained as directed on package (about 3 cups)

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix enchilada sauce, taco seasoning mix and chicken until chicken is coated.

Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and green chiles to slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

Remove chicken from slow cooker, and transfer to cutting board; let stand about 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, stir cream cheese and Cheddar cheese into slow cooker. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir thoroughly to incorporate.

Meanwhile, shred chicken with 2 forks; return to slow cooker, and stir in cooked pasta. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Expert Tips

Cavatappi pasta is available in the pasta aisle of the grocery store. For a similar substitute, try penne or rotini pasta, which also are great for soaking up that delicious enchilada-flavored sauce.

Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce also comes in a hot variety, for those who prefer more spicy heat.

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

MEATLOAF EXPRESS

This is also from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “Making them mini not only slashes the cook time, but makes mealtime fun, too. These single-serve meatloaves bake under a sweet and savory topping to ensure moist and flavorful little loaves that your whole family will love.”

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6 people

To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/meatloaf-express/.

Ingredients

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup honey mustard (honey Dijon-style)

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Set the oven to 425°F. Stir the soup, ketchup and honey mustard in a medium bowl.

Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup mixture in a large bowl. Season the beef mixture as desired.

Shape the beef mixture into 6 mini meatloaves. Place the mini meatloaves into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the meatloaves.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.

CROCKPOT LASAGNA

This recipe is from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Most people don't associate lasagna and healthy eating together, but that's exactly what you get with this dynamic dish. A meat and cheese lover's dream, use your noodle and enjoy this slow-cooked staple that's sure to become your go-to dish when you have a hankering for something Italian.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, smashed

1 (28 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. dried oregano

12 oz. cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

12 oz. lasagna pasta, uncooked

16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in fry pan. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt and oregano. Cook long enough to get it warm. Spoon a layer of meat sauce onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (break to fit) and top with cheeses. Repeat with sauce, noodles and cheeses until all are used up. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

Additional Tips

Ready in 4 1/4 hours.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Slow Cooker Chili and Easy Beef Stroganoff. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER SAUSAGES, PEPPERS AND ONIONS

This is from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "The sure-fire combination of sausages, peppers and onions is ready-when-you-are when you make them in the slow cooker. (Once the sausages are cooked through and the peppers and onions are tender, they can hold on “warm” for up to 2 hours.) Searing the sausages in a skillet is the only cooking you’ll have to do, but it’s an important step that fortifies the sauce with the sausage’s brawny, spiced juices. The sweet peppers and onions will tangle in the light, tangy tomato sauce. (Save extra sauce for tomorrow’s pasta, or if you want a thicker sauce, strain and reduce in a saucepan on the stovetop.) Pile everything into a sub — perhaps with some mozzarella broiled on top — or over pasta, roasted potatoes or gnocchi."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours; Total Time: About 6 hours; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025352-slow-cooker-sausages-peppers-and-onions.

Ingredients

3 bell peppers (any colors), sliced 1/4-inch thick

1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

1 Parmesan rind (optional)

Salt and black pepper

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1-1/2 to 2 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausage

One (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Torn basil leaves, for serving (optional)

Preparation

In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper and Parmesan rind (if using). Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.

With the heat off under the skillet, pour in the crushed tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. Scrape the tomatoes into the slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the basil, if desired.

EASY BEEF STROGANOFF

This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Stephanie wrote, "This beef stroganoff recipe is a cinch to prepare because it starts with leftover cooked roast beef, pot roast, brisket, or even store-bought roast beef from the deli counter. You can even use leftover steak; you don't even have to worry about whether or not it's tough or overcooked. When using cooked beef in this way, a stroganoff brings the beef back to life. So all you have to do is make the sauce. To save time, look for presliced mushrooms if you like.

"This recipe is also easy because it incorporates a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. If you'd like to upgrade the recipe a bit, some stores and brands, such as Trader Joe's and Pacific Natural Foods, respectively, sell versions of condensed cream of mushroom soup made with all-natural ingredients. You can even make your own condensed cream soup if you like.

"Serve this stroganoff with hot cooked egg noodles and a green salad. It tends to be a kid's kind of stroganoff because of the noodles and the creamy nature of the beef. You can also try it with rice, cauliflower rice, or mashed potatoes."

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup diced onions

8 ounces sliced mushrooms

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups beef broth

1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 tablespoons sour cream

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 cups shredded cooked leftover beef, such as roast beef, pot roast, beef brisket, or deli roast beef

Cooked egg noodles, for serving

Freshly chopped parsley, optional, for garnish

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and mushrooms, and cook until softened.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, and stir until the flour is well coated with the fat and drippings in the pan.

Add the broth, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Add the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, and season with salt and pepper.

Mix in the cooked beef, and cook a few minutes until heated through.

Serve the stroganoff over hot cooked egg noodles and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy.

Tips

If you want to brown the mushrooms, which is a good idea because it will deepen the flavor of the stroganoff, simply cook the onions separately first.

When they are translucent, remove the onions from the skillet, and add a little more butter if the skillet is dry.

Add about half the mushrooms in a single layer. Don't crowd them, because they will steam instead of brown.

Cook, without stirring, until the mushrooms are golden brown with a slight crust on the bottom. Turn, and cook a few minutes on the other side (the second side won't take as long).

Repeat with the remaining mushrooms. Then return both the onions and all of the mushrooms to the pan and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Variations

You can use plain yogurt instead of sour cream if you like. You can also use thinned-out cream cheese, too, which will make the sauce a little thicker.

Feel free to use a little bit of dried or fresh thyme when cooking the mushrooms if you like the savory combination of thyme and mushrooms.

How to Store and Freeze Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff will keep for three to four days in the fridge if it's in an airtight sealed container. You can also freeze beef stroganoff for up to three months if it's in a sealed container, but that's best done if you leave out the egg noodles and just freeze the stroganoff itself. Noodles in a sauce tend to become mushy when defrosted. Reheat the stroganoff gently in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop.

SLOW COOKER CHILI

This comes from Sarah Digregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, “A great chili should be richly spiced, with layers of deep, savory flavor. Here, that big flavor comes from the usual contenders, but also from the unexpected additions of unsweetened cocoa, soy sauce and Worcestershire, which provide complexity. This recipe makes a thick, comforting chili that can be prepared in a slow cooker or in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you’re making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.

Check out the Times guide (by Sam Sifton) titled “How to Make Chili”. Very helpful, very informative.

To view the recipe online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019903-slow-cooker-chili.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow or red onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

2 pounds ground beef, 80 percent lean, 20 percent fat

8 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

2 teaspoons chipotle powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons mustard powder

2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) pilsner beer, such as Modelo Especial

1 (14-ounce) can diced or crushed tomatoes in juice

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons maple syrup or dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons beef stock bouillon paste, such as Better Than Bouillon

1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 (14-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 (14-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Hot sauce, grated sharp Cheddar, sliced scallions, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips, for serving

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the beef and garlic, season with salt and cook, breaking the beef into crumbles with a spatula, until the beef has lost its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until slightly darkened and caramelized, about 1 minute. Stir in all the spices and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beer and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan.

Transfer the beef mixture into a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, beef bouillon paste, cocoa, beans and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. (The chili can hold well on warm for an additional 2 hours.)

When ready to serve, stir in the Worcestershire sauce. If the chili is too thick, stir in a bit of water until the texture is to your liking. Season to taste with salt. Serve in bowls and pass the toppings at the table.

Tip

You can also cook the chili in a Dutch oven on your stovetop in about 1 hour. In step 2, add 1 cup water instead of 1/2 cup and let the mixture come to a simmer over medium-high. (Because the cooking liquid reduces further on the stovetop, this method starts with more water.) Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes.

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

SALT-AND-PEPPER ROAST CHICKEN

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “Calling for just four ingredients – chicken, salt, pepper and whatever herbs you have around – this is a recipe for roast chicken at its simplest and best. The method is fairly straightforward. You season the bird, then roast it at high heat until the skin is bronzed and crisp and the flesh juicy. If you have time to season the chicken ahead, you should; it makes a difference in flavor. And bear in mind, if you have the kind of oven that starts smoking at high heat, you can cook your bird at 400 degrees instead of 450, though you’ll need an extra 5 to 20 minutes to get it done.” Makes 4 servings.

To view this recipe, as well as a great guide on roasting chicken, written by Melissa Clark, click here. Very thorough!

Ingredients

1 (3 1/2-pound) whole chicken, patted dry

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

Small bunch mixed herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and sage

Preparation

Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. If you have time, refrigerate the chicken, uncovered, for an hour, or overnight.

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or large ovenproof skillet. Stuff cavity with herbs and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. (If you don’t have twine, leave the legs as they are.)

Roast 50 minutes, then baste chicken with pan juices. Continue roasting until chicken's juices run clear when skin is pierced with a knife, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before carving.

Tips: (by Melissa Clark)

“Now that you know the basics of roasting a chicken, here are some suggestions for how to serve it:

“Try a side sauce. Aioli, bĂ©arnaise sauce, salsa verde, romesco sauce, chimichurri, and make-ahead gravy can be prepared in advance, and transform a simple roast chicken into a something a little more special. Even a dollop of Dijon mustard does wonders here.

“Serve your chicken directly on top of a pile of watercress, baby kale, tatsoi, arugula, or other tender, dark greens that have been sprinkled with lemon juice and dusted with salt. The heat of the bird will wilt some of the greens while others remain crisp, and the hot chicken fat makes an instant dressing once it mixes with the lemon juice.

“Substitute hot toasted bread for the watercress or greens, above. The hot chicken fat makes these croutons exquisite.”

MEAT LOAF

This comes from Ina Garten, of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 45 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 25 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon good olive oil

3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)

2 extra-large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

Friday, May 5, 2023

Friday Recipes

If you've lost track of time, as I have, here's today's news: It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Supreme Pizza Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta. Enjoy!

JIM HARRISON’S CARIBBEAN STEW

This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Jim Harrison, the poet and epicure, hunter and fisherman, novelist, essayist and enthusiastic cook, published a version of this recipe in the literary magazine Smoke Signals in 1981. I adapted it more than three decades later, after Harrison's death in 2016. The key ingredients: a lot of tomato paste and a good, floral hot sauce, ideally made with Scotch bonnet peppers, which combine in marvelous ways. Parboiling the ribs allows the recipe to come together relatively quickly, and the cooking otherwise is totally serial: one step after another until you slide the pot into the oven and allow the heat to do its work. Substitute different meats, or fewer, if you like, depending on availability.”

Time: 2 hours; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This was featured in “A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018697-jim-harrisons-caribbean-stew.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork spareribs, cut into single ribs

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce, ideally one made with Scotch bonnet peppers, or to taste

1 cup chicken stock, homemade or low-sodium

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

Preparation

Place spareribs in a pot, and cover with water. Place pot over high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat slightly, and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, then remove ribs to a large bowl and discard the water.

While the ribs cook, pour the oil into a Dutch oven set over high heat, and swirl it around. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and when the oil begins to shimmer and is about to smoke, add them to the pan, skin-side down. Brown the chicken aggressively, about 5 to 7 minutes per side, then add the chicken to the bowl with the ribs. Repeat with the sausages, browning them on all sides for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then add to the bowl with the chicken and the ribs. Cook the onions and garlic in the fat remaining in the Dutch oven, stirring occasionally until they soften and begin to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Heat oven to 300. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, lemon juice, hot-pepper sauce, chicken stock, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder and paprika to the onions and garlic in the Dutch oven, then stir to combine, and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the meats to the Dutch oven, stirring and tossing them so that they are well covered with the sauce, then cover the pot, and place in the oven to cook, undisturbed, for approximately 90 minutes, or until the meats are tender and, in the case of the chicken and the ribs, pulling from the bone.

JOOK

This is from Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “I first encountered jook, also known as congee, in Hong Kong at dawn after a very long night. I was steered to an anonymous little place, where, I am quite sure, I was not the only person with a headache. It was there that I discovered that this savory Chinese rice porridge was among the world's best breakfasts, especially after a night of indulgence.

“It is transcendent stuff. You might think of it as Chinese risotto, though infinitely less pretentious. It is delightfully creamy, forgiving in its preparation and variable beyond belief.”

Time 2hours 30 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

This was featured in “The Minimalist; From China, Hangover Help”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1839-jook.

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice

2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade, or water

1 3-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced

1/4 pound slab bacon, optional

Soy sauce or salt to taste

1/4 cup crispy cooked bacon, minced, optional

1/4 cup minced scallions

1/2 cup roasted peanuts, optional

Sesame oil for drizzling, optional

Preparation

Wash rice, and put it in a stock pot with chicken stock or water. Place over high heat until stock boils, then add about 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, and turn heat to low. Partly cover pot, simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary (probably about 2 cups more).

Add ginger and slab bacon, and simmer for an hour more or so. Jook should have a porridgelike consistency. If it becomes very thick, add water. When done, jook will be soupy and creamy, like loose oatmeal.

Remove slab bacon, and serve jook in individual bowls. Season with salt or soy sauce, then garnish with minced bacon, scallions and peanuts. Drizzle with sesame oil if desired.

SLOW-COOKER CHEESY CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This slow-cooker pasta packed with Mexican-inspired flavors is cheesy, easy and sure to have everyone asking for seconds every time you make it."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes; Servings; 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ mild enchilada sauce

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix

1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed, softened

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

8 oz cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained as directed on package (about 3 cups)

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix enchilada sauce, taco seasoning mix and chicken until chicken is coated.

Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and green chiles to slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

Remove chicken from slow cooker, and transfer to cutting board; let stand about 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, stir cream cheese and Cheddar cheese into slow cooker. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir thoroughly to incorporate.

Meanwhile, shred chicken with 2 forks; return to slow cooker, and stir in cooked pasta. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Expert Tips

Cavatappi pasta is available in the pasta aisle of the grocery store. For a similar substitute, try penne or rotini pasta, which also are great for soaking up that delicious enchilada-flavored sauce.

Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce also comes in a hot variety, for those who prefer more spicy heat.

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

MEATLOAF EXPRESS

This is also from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “Making them mini not only slashes the cook time, but makes mealtime fun, too. These single-serve meatloaves bake under a sweet and savory topping to ensure moist and flavorful little loaves that your whole family will love.”

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6 people

To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/meatloaf-express/.

Ingredients

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup honey mustard (honey Dijon-style)

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Set the oven to 425°F. Stir the soup, ketchup and honey mustard in a medium bowl.

Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup mixture in a large bowl. Season the beef mixture as desired.

Shape the beef mixture into 6 mini meatloaves. Place the mini meatloaves into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the meatloaves.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.

CROCKPOT LASAGNA

This recipe is from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Most people don't associate lasagna and healthy eating together, but that's exactly what you get with this dynamic dish. A meat and cheese lover's dream, use your noodle and enjoy this slow-cooked staple that's sure to become your go-to dish when you have a hankering for something Italian.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, smashed

1 (28 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. dried oregano

12 oz. cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

12 oz. lasagna pasta, uncooked

16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in fry pan. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt and oregano. Cook long enough to get it warm. Spoon a layer of meat sauce onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (break to fit) and top with cheeses. Repeat with sauce, noodles and cheeses until all are used up. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

Additional Tips

Ready in 4 1/4 hours.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Lasagna

One of my absolute favorite foods is lasagna. To that end, here are six yummy lasagna recipes to help you through the day, including Supreme Pizza Lasagna and Mexican Lasagna. Enjoy!

CLASSIC LASAGNA

This is from MyRecipes, and begins, "A classic, beefy lasagna recipe perfectly matches these traditional, zesty Italian ingredients and creamy homemade ricotta sauce. Tall layers of cheese, meat, and pasta will seriously satisfy your casserole cravings. Plus any leftovers for lunch the following day are always welcome. Tip: make this lasagna bake for a crowd by doubling the recipe and making ahead of time. Prep steps one through four, cover, and freeze. Thaw and bake (covered) at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until bubbly."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Stand Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-lasagna-0.

Ingredients

2 medium onions, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound lean ground beef

1 (14.5-oz.) can basil, garlic, and oregano diced tomatoes

2 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste

1 (8-oz.) can basil, garlic, and oregano tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided

3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

12 lasagna noodles, uncooked

8 cups boiling water

1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 (6-oz.) packages part-skim mozzarella cheese slices

Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Sauté onion in 1 Tbsp. hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain beef mixture, and return to skillet. Stir in diced tomatoes, next 4 ingredients, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf; set meat sauce aside.

Place lasagna noodles in a 13- x- 9-inch pan. Carefully pour 8 cups boiling water and remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil over noodles. Let stand 15 minutes.

Stir together ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper until blended.

Spoon half of the meat sauce mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Shake excess water from noodles, and arrange 6 noodles over meat sauce; top with half of ricotta mixture and 1 package mozzarella cheese slices. Repeat layers once.

Bake, covered, at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until bubbly. Let lasagna stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Chef's Notes

The sauce is time-consuming but worth the extra effort. Make it on a weekend, and freeze it to enjoy later with lasagna or your favorite pasta.

BARBECUE LASAGNA

This yummy recipe is from a long-since-forgotten emailing list that my son was on for a few years. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1 cup ketchup

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby or mild cheddar cheese

1 cup (8 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese

1 egg

Directions

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. For barbecue sauce, combine the next 13 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Spread about 1/4 cup barbecue sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles and half of the beef.

Spread with half of the remaining barbecue sauce; sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, cheddar and Colby cheeses. Repeat layers.

Combine cottage cheese and egg; spoon evenly over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

MEXICAN LASAGNA

This is from tbsp. (Tablespoon.com), and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6-8 large tortillas

1 lb ground beef

1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1/3 medium onion, diced

1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce

1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type

1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese

3 small or medium tomatoes, diced

Cilantro, as desired

Black olives, as desired

Sour cream, for topping

Shredded lettuce, for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.

Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.

Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).

Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.

Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.

Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.

LASAGNA

This is from Regina Schrambling on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “In 2001, Regina Schrambling went on a week long odyssey in search of the ultimate lasagna recipe. She tested several, and finally found her ideal in a mash-up of recipes from Giuliano Bugialli and Elodia Rigante, both Italian cookbook authors.

“‘If there were central casting for casseroles, this one deserved the leading role. But its beauty was more than cheese deep. This was the best lasagna I had ever eaten. The sauce was intensely flavored, the cheeses melted into creaminess as if they were bechamel, the meat was just chunky enough, and the noodles put up no resistance to the fork. Most important, the balance of pasta and sauce was positively Italian. At last I could understand why my neighbor Geoff had told me, as I dragged home more bags in our elevator, that all-day lasagna is the only kind worth making.’”

Time: 4 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

This was featured in “The Noodle and I: A Face-of at the Oven”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9530-lasagna.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 medium red onions, finely diced

2 large cloves minced garlic

8 ounces pancetta, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups good red wine, preferably Italian

2 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes

3 tablespoons tomato paste

3/4 pound ground sirloin

1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano

2 eggs

10 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves only, washed and dried

2 large whole cloves garlic

1/2 cup flour

1 pound Italian sausage, a mix of hot and sweet

For the Lasagna:

1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese

2 extra-large eggs

2 cups freshly grated pecorino Romano

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 pound mozzarella, grated

16 sheets fresh lasagna noodles, preferably Antica Pasteria

Preparation

For the sauce, heat 1/2 cup oil in a large heavy Dutch oven or kettle over low heat. Add the onions, minced garlic and pancetta, and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the onions are wilted. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly, add the wine and cook until it is mostly reduced, about 20 minutes. Crush the tomatoes into the pan, and add their juice. Add the tomato paste and 2 cups lukewarm water. Simmer for 1 hour.

Combine the sirloin, cheese and eggs in a large bowl. Chop the parsley with the whole garlic until fine, then stir into the beef mixture. Season lavishly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Shape into meatballs and set aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dust the meatballs lightly with flour, shaking off excess, and lay into the hot oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides (do not cook through) and transfer to the sauce.

In a clean skillet, brown the sausages over medium-high heat. Transfer to the sauce. Simmer 1 1/2 hours.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, pecorino Romano, parsley and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Remove the meatballs and sausage from the sauce, and set aside to cool slightly, then chop coarsely. Spoon a thick layer of sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch lasagna pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spoon more sauce on top, then add a third of the meat and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat for 2 more layers, using all the meat and cheese. Top with a layer of noodles, and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle reserved mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

TORTILLA LASAGNA

This is from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This easy, crowd-pleasing dish is also a kid favorite. Toasting the tortillas before building the lasagna keeps them from getting soggy as the dish bakes. Feel free to mix things up with different beans, cheeses, or vegetables between the layers." Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 8-inch fat-free flour tortillas

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 Tbs. chili powder

2 tsp. ancho chile powder

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

2 cups strained tomatoes, such as Pomì, divided

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 medium chayote, peeled and diced, or 2 medium zucchini, diced (1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas on 2 baking sheets in oven 5 minutes, or until light brown, turning once.

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Stir in chili powder, ancho chile powder, and garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add 11/2 cups strained tomatoes, beans, chayote, corn, and 1/2 cup water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until chayote is tender.

Coat 2-inch-deep x 8-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup strained tomatoes in bottom of pan. Set 1 toasted tortilla in pan; top with 3/4 cup bean mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layering 4 more times. Top with last tortilla, and spread remaining 1/4 cup strained tomatoes over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and cheese has melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.

nutritional information Per Wedge: Calories: 226; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Sodium: 506 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 4 g

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Lasagna

If you love Lasagna as much as I do, today's post is sure to please. Six different lasagna recipes, all yummy, and waiting to be baked up. Check out the Supreme Pizza Lasagna, the Classic Lasagna, or any of the other lasagna recipes in today's post. Enjoy!

LASAGNA

This is from Regina Schrambling on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “In 2001, Regina Schrambling went on a week long odyssey in search of the ultimate lasagna recipe. She tested several, and finally found her ideal in a mash-up of recipes from Giuliano Bugialli and Elodia Rigante, both Italian cookbook authors.

“‘If there were central casting for casseroles, this one deserved the leading role. But its beauty was more than cheese deep. This was the best lasagna I had ever eaten. The sauce was intensely flavored, the cheeses melted into creaminess as if they were bechamel, the meat was just chunky enough, and the noodles put up no resistance to the fork. Most important, the balance of pasta and sauce was positively Italian. At last I could understand why my neighbor Geoff had told me, as I dragged home more bags in our elevator, that all-day lasagna is the only kind worth making.’”

Time: 4 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

This was featured in “The Noodle and I: A Face-of at the Oven”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9530-lasagna.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 medium red onions, finely diced

2 large cloves minced garlic

8 ounces pancetta, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups good red wine, preferably Italian

2 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes

3 tablespoons tomato paste

3/4 pound ground sirloin

1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano

2 eggs

10 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves only, washed and dried

2 large whole cloves garlic

1/2 cup flour

1 pound Italian sausage, a mix of hot and sweet

For the Lasagna:

1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese

2 extra-large eggs

2 cups freshly grated pecorino Romano

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 pound mozzarella, grated

16 sheets fresh lasagna noodles, preferably Antica Pasteria

Preparation

For the sauce, heat 1/2 cup oil in a large heavy Dutch oven or kettle over low heat. Add the onions, minced garlic and pancetta, and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the onions are wilted. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly, add the wine and cook until it is mostly reduced, about 20 minutes. Crush the tomatoes into the pan, and add their juice. Add the tomato paste and 2 cups lukewarm water. Simmer for 1 hour.

Combine the sirloin, cheese and eggs in a large bowl. Chop the parsley with the whole garlic until fine, then stir into the beef mixture. Season lavishly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Shape into meatballs and set aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dust the meatballs lightly with flour, shaking off excess, and lay into the hot oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides (do not cook through) and transfer to the sauce.

In a clean skillet, brown the sausages over medium-high heat. Transfer to the sauce. Simmer 1 1/2 hours.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, pecorino Romano, parsley and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Remove the meatballs and sausage from the sauce, and set aside to cool slightly, then chop coarsely. Spoon a thick layer of sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch lasagna pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spoon more sauce on top, then add a third of the meat and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat for 2 more layers, using all the meat and cheese. Top with a layer of noodles, and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle reserved mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC LASAGNA

This is from MyRecipes, and begins, "A classic, beefy lasagna recipe perfectly matches these traditional, zesty Italian ingredients and creamy homemade ricotta sauce. Tall layers of cheese, meat, and pasta will seriously satisfy your casserole cravings. Plus any leftovers for lunch the following day are always welcome. Tip: make this lasagna bake for a crowd by doubling the recipe and making ahead of time. Prep steps one through four, cover, and freeze. Thaw and bake (covered) at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until bubbly."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Stand Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-lasagna-0.

Ingredients

2 medium onions, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound lean ground beef

1 (14.5-oz.) can basil, garlic, and oregano diced tomatoes

2 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste

1 (8-oz.) can basil, garlic, and oregano tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided

3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

12 lasagna noodles, uncooked

8 cups boiling water

1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 (6-oz.) packages part-skim mozzarella cheese slices

Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Sauté onion in 1 Tbsp. hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain beef mixture, and return to skillet. Stir in diced tomatoes, next 4 ingredients, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf; set meat sauce aside.

Place lasagna noodles in a 13- x- 9-inch pan. Carefully pour 8 cups boiling water and remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil over noodles. Let stand 15 minutes.

Stir together ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper until blended.

Spoon half of the meat sauce mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Shake excess water from noodles, and arrange 6 noodles over meat sauce; top with half of ricotta mixture and 1 package mozzarella cheese slices. Repeat layers once.

Bake, covered, at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until bubbly. Let lasagna stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Chef's Notes

The sauce is time-consuming but worth the extra effort. Make it on a weekend, and freeze it to enjoy later with lasagna or your favorite pasta.

CROCK POT LASAGNA

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Discover the fix-it-and-forget-it way to make lasagna! It's so easy.”

Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 jar (26 to 28 oz.) tomato pasta sauce

1 can (8 oz.) no-salt-added tomato sauce

1/2 pkg. (9 oz. = about 8) no-boil lasagna noodles

1 jar (1 lb.) Alfredo pasta sauce

3 cups (12 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.

Spray 4 to 5 quart crock pot/slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato pasta sauce in bottom of sprayed slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato pasta sauce and tomato sauce into ground beef.

Layer 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in the crock pot/slow cooker, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with 1/3 of the Alfredo pasta sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 1/3 of the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.

Repeat layering twice, using 2 lasagna noodles in last layer. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.

Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours. If desired, cut into wedges to serve.

EXTRA-EASY SPINACH LASAGNA

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “No need to cook the lasagna noodles...just layer them right in the pan with the cheeses, spinach and tomato-mushroom sauce.”

Serves: 8 servings (1 cup each); Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes

View this online here.

Ingredients

1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)

1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce

6 uncooked lasagna noodle

1/4 cup water

Directions

Stir the ricotta cheese, spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.

Spread 1 cup sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles and half the spinach mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining sauce. Slowly pour water around the inside edges of the baking dish. Cover.

Bake at 400°F. for 40 minutes. Uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Tip: To thaw the spinach, microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, breaking apart with a fork halfway through heating.

BARBECUE LASAGNA

This is one of the yummy recipes from a long-since-forgotten emailing list that my son was on for a few years. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1 cup ketchup

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby or mild cheddar cheese

1 cup (8 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese

1 egg

Directions

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. For barbecue sauce, combine the next 13 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Spread about 1/4 cup barbecue sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles and half of the beef.

Spread with half of the remaining barbecue sauce; sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, cheddar and Colby cheeses. Repeat layers.

Combine cottage cheese and egg; spoon evenly over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Taco Tuesday (because not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff and Supreme Pizza Lasagna. Enjoy!

APPLE PECAN CHICKEN SALAD

This is from Linda Larsen, who wrote for About.com and The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, "Apple pecan chicken salad is a fan-favorite main dish salad recipe. The combination of tender chicken, crisp pecans, tart apples, and a creamy honey mustard dressing is fantastic.

"Like all chicken salads, using a rotisserie chicken often brings the best results. Most other chicken cooking methods do not come close to matching the tender result of these grocery store birds. There is just something about roasting chickens while on a spit that results in the most tender and flavorful meat. Remove the meat from the bird and cut it into large chunks.

"You can double or triple this recipe if you would like. When hot summer weather is at hand, there's nothing nicer than having a huge batch of fabulous apple pecan chicken salad in the fridge, ready and waiting for you. Just add some bakery muffins or breadsticks, some iced tea or white wine, and you have a fabulous meal with absolutely no cooking at all."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/apple-pecan-chicken-salad-481444.

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons honey mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt (to taste)

Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

3 cups cooked chicken (chopped)

1 Granny Smith apple (chopped)

1 cup small pecans

1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey mustard, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in the cooked chicken, the chopped apple, pecans, and dried cherries or cranberries to coat.

Cover and chill the salad for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Enjoy!

Tips

Store any leftovers of the salad, well covered, in the refrigerator for up to three days.

You can cook your own chicken for this apple pecan chicken salad recipe. Try baking chicken breasts, on the bone or off, in parchment paper, or simmer them gently in water until they just reach 160 F. When the meat stands after cooking, the temperature will rise to 165 F, which is the safe final temperature for chicken breasts.

Or try cooking a whole chicken on a rotisserie on your grill; you need special equipment and instructions for that task. You can cook large batches of chicken this way, let the meat cool, cube it, then store it in the freezer in 2 cup portions for recipes like this one.

BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA

This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes

To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).

Ingredients

1 small red onion, coarsely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded

1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded

4 slices thick-cut bacon

1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained

2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)

1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce

9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta

3 oz presliced green onions

Directions

Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).

Shred chicken (2 cups).

Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sautĂ© pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.

Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.

Aprons Advice

Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN STROGANOFF

This comes from Judi Ann at Allrecipes. Judi Ann wrote, "Cubed chicken breast cooked in the slow cooker with a simple, creamy sauce mixture. This is so good, and so easy to make on a busy day. Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 5 hours; Total: 5 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17227/slow-cooker-chicken-stroganoff/.

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed

1/8 cup margarine

1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Directions

Put chicken, margarine and dressing mix in slow cooker; mix together and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

Add cream cheese and soup, mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through and warm.

SUPREME PIZZA LASAGNA

This is from Ree Drummond of the Food Network's The Pioneer Woman.

Active Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/supreme-pizza-lasagna-2316523.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces sliced pepperoni

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green bell peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 large onion, diced

One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes

One 15-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sliced black olives

30 ounces whole-milk ricotta

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling

8 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente

24 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Directions

Drizzle the olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and pepperoni and stir, breaking the meat up as it begins to cook. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until brown, and then remove the meat to a plate.

Add the mushrooms, garlic, bell peppers and onions to the pot and saute until the mushrooms have softened and the others have some color. Add the meat back in along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, pesto, half the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the black olives and stir.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cheese mixture: Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan, the rest of the parsley and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the mixture until totally combined.

To assemble the lasagna: Overlap 4 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Spoon half the cheese mixture over the noodles and smooth it out into a flat layer. Lay half of the mozzarella slices on top followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more and top with some extra Parmesan. Bake until heated through and bubbly on the top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note

The lasagna can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge, unbaked. It can also be frozen, unbaked. Just thaw before you're ready to bake it.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE LASAGNA

This comes from the Betty Crocker e-newsletter. If you're looking for more recipes, it's a good place to start.

This recipe starts off, "No need to buy frozen lasagna when you have this much-loved recipe on hand."

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/italian-sausage-lasagna/.

Ingredients

1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 clove garlic, crushed

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 teaspoon sugar

2 cups Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes (from 28-oz can), undrained

1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato sauce

12 uncooked lasagna noodles (12 oz)

1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese or small-curd cottage cheese (2 cups)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, sugar, tomatoes and tomato sauce. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered about 45 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.

In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and the oregano.

Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Top with 4 noodles. Spread 1 cup of the cheese mixture over noodles; spread with 1 cup of the sauce mixture. Sprinkle with 2/3 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with 4 noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, 1 cup of the sauce mixture and 2/3 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles and sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake about 15 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Expert Tips

Leftover lasagna freezes well. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap again with aluminum foil. You need only unwrap and thoroughly reheat to enjoy an instant lasagna fix!

Put this recipe together lickety-split using 5 cups (40 ounces) of your favorite regular (do not use thick or extra-thick varieties) spaghetti sauce with meat instead of the first eight ingredients.

If your family likes lasagna with a milder flavor, use ground beef instead of the bulk Italian sausage.

HEARY BEEF STEW WITH RED ONIONS AND ALE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, "In this cozy beef stew, tender chunks of meat in a silky, savory, ale-tinged sauce share the pot with wedges of red onion and sweet nuggets of carrot. A little coriander and allspice add fragrance and depth to the mix, while a spoonful of tomato paste deepens and rounds out the flavors. Like all stews, it tastes even better a day or two later, and can be frozen for up to two months. Serve it over something soft and buttery to soak up the sauce: a mound of mashed potatoes, noodles or polenta."

Time: 3 hours; Yield: 6 servings

This was featured in "Looking for Comfort? Turn to This Beef Stew", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021592-hearty-beef-stew-with-red-onions-and-ale.

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks

Kosher salt and black pepper

3 medium red onions

1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more as needed

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

2 cups beef or chicken stock, preferably homemade

1 cup ale or beer (nonalcoholic is fine)

1 rosemary sprig

3 carrots, sliced

1 tablespoon cider vinegar or sherry vinegar, plus more to taste

Chopped chives, for garnish

Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Preparation

Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the onions.

Peel the onions. Cut 2 of them in half root to stem, then thinly slice them crosswise into half-moons. Cut the third onion, root to stem, into 1/2-inch wedges.

Dust the beef cubes lightly with flour. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven or other pot over medium-high. Add beef, in batches taking care not to crowd the pan, and sear until it’s good and dark all over, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer beef cubes to a bowl as they brown. Add more oil and adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.

Stir in sliced onions and raise heat to medium-high if you lowered it. Cook until pale golden brown and soft, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Make a well in the center of the onions, then stir in tomato paste, coriander and allspice; cook, stirring until paste is darkened, 1 minute. Stir in stock, ale, 1 cup water and rosemary sprig. Return beef and any juices to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer gently for 45 minutes.

Give the beef a stir, then add onion wedges. Simmer for 15 minutes, then stir in carrots and continue to simmer until the meat, onions and carrots are tender, 30 to 45 minutes longer.

If the sauce seems thin, use a slotted spoon to transfer meat and vegetables to a platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Discard the rosemary. Return pot with liquid to stove and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Taste and add more salt and vinegar if you like. Spoon sauce over meat and garnish with chives, flaky sea salt and more black pepper.