World's Best Lasagna

 I found this recipe years ago and I've learned to make the sauce one day and the lasagna the next.  Otherwise it takes all day!  I have also frozen the sauce and it makes for a quick lasagna later on.  

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 lb. ground beef (lean)

1/2 cup minced onion

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce

1/2 cup water or red wine

1 Tbsp. white sugar

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves

1/2 tsp. fennel seeds

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

18 lasagna noodles

16 oz. ricotta cheese

dash nutmeg

1 egg

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1.  In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until well browned.  Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water (or wine).  Season with sugar, basil, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, 1 Tbsp. parsley, 1/2 tsp. salt, pepper and 2 Tbsp. parsley.  Simmer, covered for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.  

2.  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for about 8-10 minutes.  Drain noodles and rinse with cold water.  In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, nutmeg, egg, remaining parsley and 1/2 tsp. salt.

3.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  

4.  To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce in the bottom of a 9X13" pan.  Arrange 6 noodles over meat sauce.  Spread with one half of the ricotta mixture.  Top with a third of the mozzarella cheese.  Spoon 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over mozzarella and sprinkle with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.  Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.  Cover with cooking spray coated foil (to avoid sticking).  

5.  Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and make an additional 25 minutes.  Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Coconut Chicken Tenders with Mango Sauce

 I saw this recipe on a YouTube channel called HowJenDoesIt and it has been a family hit ever since.  

COCONUT CHICKEN TENDERS

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups shredded coconut

1 tsp. salt

coconut oil for frying

If you are using chicken breasts, cut the breasts diagonally into strips.  In one bowl, combine the flour and salt and in another bowl whisk the egg and milk together.  In a third bowl, stir together panko bread crumbs and coconut. 

Heat large skillet over medium high heat.  Add oil.

While the oil is heating, prepare the chicken.  Dredge each strip into flour mixture.  Dip each strip into egg mixture.  Finally, dredge each strip into coconut and breadcrumb mixture.

Add half of your chicken strips to hot oil and cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.  Cook the second batch.

HONEY MANGO DIPPING SAUCE

1/2 cup frozen mango chunks, thawed

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp. honey

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. Siracha saice

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Add all ingredients to food processor and process until smooth and creamy.  Taste and adjust to your preference.

Easy Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli

I found this recipe somewhere online and printed it out and see that it doesn't have a source in the printout.  Sorry!  I usually like to give credit where credit is due!  But it was really good except I didn't use low sodium soy sauce and I used a beef bullion cube and so it turned out quite salty.  Next time I will use low sodium of both items.

EASY PRESSURE COOKER BEEF AND BROCCOLI 

2 lbs. meat (chuck roast, rump roast or flank steak), cut into thin strips

2 Tbsp. olive oil 

1 medium onion, sliced

1 cup low sodium beef broth

2 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 lb. broccoli, fresh or frozen

1 tsp. ground ginger (or 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger)

2 tbsp. cornstarch

cooked rice

1.  In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, beef broth, garlic and ginger.  Add the meat strips to sauce ingredients and set aside.

2.  Set pressure cooker to saute setting and add oil.  When oil is hot, add onions and saute until the onions are translucent.  Turn off the cooker, add the meat and sauce, and put the top on the cooker, with the vent set to "sealing".  Set the cooker to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.  

3.  While meat is cooking, steam the broccoli.

4.  Quick release the cooker when done and remove the lid.  Set the cooker to saute again.  Mix the cornstarch with a little cold water and add to the pot and stir, cooking until thickened.  Add the cooked broccoli and heat through, stirring well.  Serve over hot cooked rice and enjoy!

Charred Tomato and Ricotta Toasts

 This was a lunch I got from Hello Fresh and Joanna and I FELL IN LOVE!!  Seriously - this could be a great appetizer too in smaller bites.  SOOOOOOO fresh and delicious!  This recipe serves 2.  Multiply it as much as you want but Jo and I found this was a generous lunch!

CHARRED TOMATO AND RICOTTA TOASTS

1 clove garlic, minced

10 oz. grape tomatoes, halved

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

4 chives, chopped

8 oz. ricotta cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. chili flakes

4 slices sourdough bread

1/2 oz. walnuts

5 Tbsp. balsamic glaze

Olive oil

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Toss the tomatoes with half of the garlic and a large drizzle of olive oil,  and a pinch of salt and pepper.  Roast on top rack until tomatoes are lightly charred, 8-10 minutes.  Transfer to a medium bowl.  Carefully wipe off sheet with paper towels.

Meanwhile, combine ricotta, half of the Parmesan (save the rest for serving) and half of the minced herbs. season with salt and a pinch of chili flakes to taste.

In a small bowl, combine remaining garlic and a large drizzle of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Brush one side of each slice of sourdough with the garlic oil.  Place on baking sheet used for tomatoes.  Bake on top rack until toasted, about 4-5 minutes total.

Remove sheet from oven; add walnuts to same sheet.  (If sourdough is done, pull it from the pan now).  Return the pan to oven until walnuts are toasted, 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a cutting board to cool slightly; rough chop.

Divide toasts between plates; spread with herby ricotta.  Evenly top with tomatoes, walnuts and remaining Parmesan.  Sprinkle with remaining minced herbs and chili flakes to taste.  Drizzle with as much balsamic glaze as you like and serve.

Cheese tortellini with Squash

 Shoot!  I cut out a recipe without marking where it came from again!  Well, this was in some recent magazine that I got - no clue where though!  LOL. But it looked really different and interesting and I had gotten some butternut squash from a friend so decided to try it.  I'm SOOOOO glad I did!!!  The flavors are amazing  and this is absolutely going into the rotation!

Cheese Tortellini with Squash

serves 4

1 lb. chopped peeled butternut squash, cut into 3/4" pieces

12 oz. shiitake or oyster mushrooms, stemmed and torn into bite-size pieces

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 cup heavy cream

3 cloves garlic, smashed

8 fresh sage leaves

1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 9-oz. packages refrigerated cheese tortellini

Shredded parmesan cheese and finely chopped chives for topping

1. Place a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 450 degrees.  Toss the squash, mushrooms, olive oil and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Spread out on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once or twice, until the vegetables are browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

2.  Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Combine the heavy cream, garlic, sage and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by about one-third, 5-7 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tsp. lemon juice; add more lemon juice to taste.

3.  Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook as the label directs.  Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain (reserve the pot).

4.  Strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the reserved pot.  Add the tortellini and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss over medium heat until coated, adding a few more tablespoons of cooking water as needed to loosen.

5.  Divide the roasted vegetables among shallow bowls.  Spoon the tortellini and sauce on top.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chives.

Gingered Beef Stir Fry

 I found this recipe in a magazine and I don't know for sure which one it is, although I have the page!  But it is a super easy and yummy recipe that is great for a quick dinner if you prep it ahead of time.  A definite keeper!

Gingered Beef Stir-Fry

8 oz. boneless beef top round steak

1/2 cup beef broth

3 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1 Tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

Nonstick cooking spray

12 oz. asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces (2 cups)

1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup small broccoli florets

4 green onions, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 cups hot cooked rice

1.  Trim fat from meat.  Thinly slice meat across the grain into bite-size strips.  For sauce, in a small bowl, stir together broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and ginger.  Set aside.

2.  Lightly coat a large skillet or wok with cooking spray; heat skillet on medium-high heat.  Add asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli and green onions; cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.  Remove vegetables from skillet.

3.  Carefully add oil to hot skillet.  Add meat; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until meat is slightly pink in center.  Push meat from center of skillet.  Stir sauce; add to center of skillet.  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. 

4.  Return cooked vegetables to skillet; stir all ingredients together to coat with sauce.  Cook and stir until heated through.  Serve meat mixture with hot cooked rice.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving:  270 calories, 7 g. total fat (2g sat fat), 36 mg. chol, 541 mg. sodium, 32g carbs, 4g. fiber, 21 g. protein

Asian Lettuce Wraps

I got this recipe from YouTuber "How Jen Does It".  Once you get things prepped, it is a quick meal! Serve it with broccoli on the side and seasoned rice noodles.  Yum!

ASIAN LETTUCE WRAPS

1 large head Bibb lettuce (I've also used Romaine)
1 lb. ground turkey
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tsp. fresh ginger root, grated
1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. red curry paste
1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, chopped
5 green onions, chopped

Rinse lettuce leaves, pat dry and place on a towel while you prepare the filling.

Stir together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger root, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and red curry paste.  Set aside.

Heat 1 Tbsp,. olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the ground turkey, chopped onion and minced garlic; cook over medium heat until no longer pink.  Drain.  Add sauce mixture, chopped water chestnuts and green onion.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

To serve, fill lettuce leaf with some filling and wrap burrito style.

Penne Pesto with Chicken

I found this recipe in the February 2009 issue of Family Circle and it has been a favorite ever since.  It is so easy to make and comes together fast!  A great combo!  Serve with a salad and some yummy bread and you are set!

Penne Pesto with Chicken

1 large bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed slightly and cut into 1 1/2" pieces
1 lb. penne pasta
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 pkg. (9 oz) fully cooked grilled chicken strips (such as Perdue Short Cuts), cut into bite sized pieces
1 (7 oz) container pesto

1.  Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Add broccoli rabe and cook three minutes.  Scoop into a bowl with a slotted spoon and add pasta to boiling water.  Cook the pasta as directed until al dente.

2.  Meanwhile, drain water from broccoli rabe.  Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook 2 minutes.  Stir in broccoli rabe; cook 3 minutes more.  Season with 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

3.  Drain pasta.  Stir chicken, pasta and pesto into skillet.  Cook 2 minutes to heat through.  Serve warm.

Serves 6
530 calories, 17g. fat (3g. sat fat), 28 g. protein, 67g. carb, 3g. fiber, 675 mg. sodium, 32 mg. cholesterol

Potato and Blue Cheese Salad

This is a recipe I found in the August 2000 Bon Appetit magazine and it is SO good!  GREAT for a side with grilled meats!  Make it ahead for your summer BBQ!

Potato and Blue Cheese Salad

2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp. plus 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
1 Tbsp. coarse-grained dijon mustard
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. grated lemon peel

3 lbs. small red-skinned potatoes, quartered
8 bacon slices
12 romaine lettuce leaves
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 2.5 ounces)
1 hard boiled egg, grated

Whisk oil, vinegar, shallots, parsley, 1 Tbsp. chives, mustard, honey and lemon peel in a large bowl until well blended.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes; drain.  Add warm potatoes to dressing; toss to combine; season to taste with salt and pepper (can be made 1 day ahead - cover and refrigerate).

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp.  Drain on paper towels.  Crumble into small pieces.  Arrange lettuce around edge of platter; mound potato salad in center.  Sprinkle with bacon, blue cheese, egg and remaining 1/4 cup of chives.

Block Island Steak Marinade

This is actually a recipe called Marinated Flank Steak from Once a Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg but the first time we had it was at Block Island, RI on our sailboat and so it became "Block Island Steak".  You can use it on any steak you have - flank steak is good as is sirloin or London broil.  I freeze the meat in the marinade and the flavor goes through the whole hunk of meat!

Block Island Steak Marinade

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. minced garlic (1 clove)
1 1/3 - 2 lbs. steak

Mix first six ingredients for marinade.  Put steak in a freezer bag and pour marinade over it.  Seal bag and freeze.

To prepare for serving, thaw the steak, remove from marinade and BBQ until desired doneness.  This can also be broiled in the oven.

Grilled Indonesian Pork Tenderloin

I got this recipe from a dear friend and it is SOOO good on the grill.

GRILLED INDONESIAN PORK TENDERLOIN

1 lb. pork tenderloin
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp. peeled, grated ginger root
2 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 cloves garlic, crushed

1.  Trim fat from pork if there is any.  Combine lime juice and next 5 ingredients in a large ziplock plastic bag.  Add pork; seal bag and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning occasionally.  Remove pork from bag, reserving marinade; set pork aside.

2.  Coat grill rack with cooking spray and place over medium-hot coals.  Place pork on rack, cover and cook 20-30 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees; turning pork occasionally and basting with reserved marinade until the last 5 minutes.  Cut pork into 1/4" thick slices.

BBQ Pork Two Ways (crockpot and stove top)

I got this recipe from All Recipes and it has been a family favorite for years.  I do this in the crockpot to make it easy.

BBQ Pork Two Ways

2 1/2 lbs. pork shoulder
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1.  Cut boneless pork shoulder crosswise into 1/4" slices.  Partially freezing it will make slicing easier (I often just cut it into large slices)

2.  In the slow cooker, combine sliced pork, onion, garlic, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, pepper, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce; mix well and cover.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender.

3.  OR In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, combine ingredients, and cook over medium high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cover.  Simmer, stirring occasionally for 2 1/2-3 hours or until pork is tender.

Tailgate Chili

This is a recipe I got years ago on All Recipes and it is called Boilermaker Tailgate Chili but I've modified it a bit from the original recipe.  My daughter can't eat spicy so I made it flavorful but without heat.  It is really good and freezes well.  Make sure you have at least a 7 quart crockpot because it is SOOOO much chili.

Tailgate Chili

2 lbs. ground beef chuck
1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
3 (15 oz) cans chili beans, drained (or any beans you want)
1 (15 oz) can chili beans in spicy sauce
2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
[original recipe calls for 2 green Chile peppers, seeded and chopped]
1 Tbsp. bacon bits
4 cubes beef bouillon
1/2 cup beer
1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder [not in original recipe]
2 Tbsp. chili powder [original recipe calls for 1/4 cup]
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. ground cumin
[original recipe calls for 2 tsp. hot pepper sauce like Tabasco]
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. white sugar
1 bag corn chips such as Fritos
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

1.  Heat a large stock pot over medium-high heat.  Crumble the ground meats into the hot pan and cook until it just loses its pinkness.  Add the onion and finish cooking until meat is well cooked. Drain off excess grease and add to crockpot.

2.  Add in remaining ingredients except Fritos and cheese.  Stir well.  Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or 4-5 hours on high.

3.  Serve with Fritos and shredded cheddar.

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Stew

I saw this on a Facebook page for boat cooking and I'm so glad I decided to try it!  Very easy to toss together and the depth of flavor is amazing!!!

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Stew

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 lb. potatoes (red or yellow are great but really any potato works), diced into 1/2" dice

1/2 cup brown lentils

1/2 tsp. rosemary

1/2 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar

3 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup frozen peas

Combine all ingredients except peas in slow cooker.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4.  Just before serving, add peas and cook for an additional 15 minutes.