The Cookbook Experiment: Aunt Lauretta's Lasagna

Sunday's cookbook experiment is courtesy of a lovely lady named Martha Lee Cash! I have known her and her husband and family for almost forever. Don and Martha Lee are two more heroes of faith that I greatly admire.  I grew up with a few of their children and love them all very much.

This recipe is from her Aunt Lauretta.  I had to try it because....oh my, here comes the confession! My last name (married) is Maurizi. That is Italian! My husband was raised Italian around all these amazing women who could cook. Conquering good Italian cooking is a passion of mine. What I would give to spend time in the kitchen with Nick Stellino! But, anyway, here is the confession: the first time I ever made lasagna was almost six years ago. It was a total flop! So bad a flop I never attempted it again. This cookbook experiment and a recipe coming from Martha Lee, I decided to try it again. I am glad that I did! It was wonderful and everyone loved it.

Aunt Lauretta's Lasagna

(2 1/2) cans Italian tomatoes
(4) 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
(2) teaspoons salt
(3) teaspoons dried oregano
(1/4) teaspoon onion salt
(2) cups minced onions
(1) cup Parmesan cheese
(2) cloves garlic, minced
(1/2) cup olive oil
(2) pounds ground chuck or round steak , ground
(1) pound lasagna noodles
(1 1/2) pounds Ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
(3) packages Mozzarella cheese

In large saucepan, combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and oregano.  Simmer uncovered. In skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Add ground meat. When meat loses color, add to tomato sauce.  Simmer 2 1/2 hours. Cook lasagna as directed on box. Drain. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In bottom of two baking dishes, place few spoonfuls of sauce. Top with crisscross layers of noodles, then half of ricotta; top with 1/3 of mozzarella and 1/2 the Parmesan. Repeat again ending with sauce. Top with mozzarella and bake until bubbly.

My take-a-ways for this recipe:

• I knew I would not use the 1/2 can of leftover Italian tomatoes so I used all of the 3 cans.  
• I did not know what size the cans of Italian tomatoes were to be so I used the regular 14.5 ounce ones.
• I really like a hint of basil in my tomato sauce so I added this with the oregano.
• Please do not buy cheap Parmesan. There was an article recently about all the "wood pulp" some manufacturer's use to keep the grated cheese from sticking together. I used Murray's Parmesan Reggiano and grated it myself while the sauce was bubbling away.
• I should have realized that the lasagna noodles were going to be VERY HOT and VERY STICKY! I used a cookie sheet sprayed with a little cooking spray to spread out my lasagna noodles so they would not be stuck together. I used a set of tongs but still burned the mess out of my fingers! I'm sorry Aunt Lauretta but next time I am going to use no-boil noodles! Does that make me "wimpy Italian"? I hope not.
• I was not very good at splitting up the ricotta cheese on the fly. I should have separated it before I needed it. And truthfully, I think I would have liked a lot more on it than I put on it.
• There was no size for the Mozzarella cheese packages. I thought I would be okay with one large bag that they have at Kroger but sadly I was wrong. I needed at least two of them.
• This recipe was AMAZING! Thanks to Aunt Lauretta and Martha Lee I am no longer afraid to make lasagna. I can only improved from here!

The Cookbook Experiment: Cheesy Zucchini Coins

The second of tonight's experiment is a recipe by a very special lady: Cindy Carrothers. She is one of the bravest persons that I know. I love the entire family. They are pretty amazing.

Cheesy Zucchini Coins by Cindy Carrothers

(1/2) cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
(3) tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
(1/4) teaspoon pepper
(3) cups thinly sliced zucchini
(2) large egg whites, whisked
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine first 3 ingredients, stir well.  Dip the zucchini slices in egg whites; dredge in bread crumb mixture. Place zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spray top of zucchini with cooking spray.  Bake for 20 minutes. Turn zucchini over, bake 15 more minutes or until outside is crispy and browned.

My take-a-ways for this recipe:

• One medium to large sized zucchini will be plenty for this recipe.
• I was a little apprehensive about only using the egg white. After tasting the recipe I understand why. I think the egg yolk would have added an unpleasant taste.
• I am not sure if my oven temperature is off, but I don't think I would have waited 20 minutes before flipping the coins over. They did not take the full cooking time to brown. 
• I am leery of pre-grated Parmesan in the store ever since that article came out about how the majority of manufacturer's add wood pulp to theirs.  I found a wonderful Parmesan made by 4C that is 100% Parmesan and does not need refrigeration until you open the jar.
• These were incredibly delicious! The crunch was perfect and would definitely (for me) would be a great substitute for potato chips.
• Thanks Cindy! These were wonderful.

The Cookbook Experiment: Tuna Noodle Supreme

Tonight's dinner experiment came about because I was not feeling well enough to go to the store. I took stock of everything in the freezer, cabinet and fridge and then consulted the cookbook. The recipe that came the closest to the ingredients on hand was "Tuna Noodle Supreme" by Pat Hannas. Now, I have to confess I don't think I have ever met Pat but I have met and know Riley Hannas. He is a young man about the age of my son. They know each other from school and church youth group.

Tuna Noodle Supreme by Pat Hannas

(4 1/2) cups of wide egg noodles
(1) 12 ounce can Tuna, drained
(1) cup Sour cream and mayonnaise
(1/2) cup grated Parmesan cheese
(1/2) cup milk
(1) teaspoon Dijon mustard
(2) cups broccoli, cut up
(1/3) cup red bell pepper
(1/4) cup green onions, sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, milk and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste. Add hot pasta, tuna, broccoli, red peppers and green onion. Stir until blended. Place tuna mixture in a baking dish. Cover and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 6

My take-a-ways for this recipe:

• I did not have egg noodles and I was not going to the store. I used elbow macaroni.
• I have never seen a 12 ounce can of tuna. I used to 5 ounce cans of Albacore (my husband only likes Albacore so that is what I have on hand)
• Please don't use cheap Parmesan, even though this is a tuna recipe. Just don't.
• I was not sure if the recipe meant a cup of each sour cream and mayo or 1/2 of each mixed together. It's not clear. I only used half of each and it turned out to dry after it was baked. I guess it means (1) cup of each. Lesson learned.
• I used what I had and that was (1) 14 ounce bag of frozen broccoli. Should it have been fresh broccoli? It does not say. I cooked my broccoli in the microwave according to package directions first before I used it.
• I had about (1/2) cup of Parmesan leftover in the bag and figured it was not enough to use for anything else so I sprinkled it all over the top of the casserole before I put it in the oven.
• I did not have any green onions. I used some fire-roasted peppers and onions that I had in the freezer. 
• I did not have any Dijon mustard. I used some sweet and spicy mustard. It tasted good to me!
• The husband and son and I enjoyed it for the most part. My hubs said it probably would have been better with the egg noodles. I think he is right. BUT the best part about trying this recipe was that I did not have to go to the store.

Thanks Pat for the easy recipe!! I appreciate not having to go to the store. I guess I altered the recipe quite a bit but it got me through feeding everyone.

The Cookbook Experiment: Cheese Broccoli Stuffed Pasta

Tonight's dinner is courtesy of a recipe by Doris Baynes. I don't recognize the name (this book was published during a period that I lived out of state and unable to attend church here) but she is one smart cookie!

Let me say outright, this recipe is quite a bit of work. Preparing it for someone you love makes it easier but I have to admit I have never, ever made stuffed shells before but this recipe was worth waiting for.

Cheese Broccoli Stuffed Pasta by Doris Baynes
(1) 6 ounce giant shell pasta (I honestly never looked at the size in the store and bought a 12 ounce!)
(2) quarts boiling water
(2) Tablespoons of salt
(1) 10 ounce package frozen cut broccoli
(1) Tablespoon of butter or margarine (I used butter, because...duh, butter!)
(2) green onions, chopped
(2) cups chopped fresh mushrooms (okay....I did not use this. The majority of my family does not eat mushrooms, in fact I may be the only one who does so I omitted this. I'm sorry Doris!)
(1) teaspoon dried basil
(1) teaspoon dried oregano
(1/2) teaspoon salt
(1) Tablespoon All purpose flour
(3/4) cup milk (I only have whole milk in the house so that is what I used)
(1) cup shredded Swiss or Mozzarella cheese (I used the Mozzarella)
(1/2) cup grated Parmesan cheese (don't scrimp, get the real stuff)
(1/2) cup whipping cream

Cook pasta in boiling salted water for the length of time the package says for "al dente". (Doris says 15 minutes but that was too long for the shells I had) Rinse with cold water and drain. Cook broccoli as directed on package. Chop fine and set aside. (Doris, I feel dumb here. As I type your recipe it seems I missed that sentence and was mushing my broccoli while it cooked in the pan with a potato masher!)

Heat butter in skillet. Add onion, mushrooms (or not), basil, oregano, salt and broccoli.  Stir to blend. Sprinkle with flour and stir well.  Add milk. Stir and heat to boiling. Cook until mixture thickens (and it does so pretty quick so pay attention). Stir in shredded cheese and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan.

Fill cooked pasta shells with a rounded tablespoonful of broccoli mixture and place into a buttered shallow baking dish in a single layer. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and drizzle with cream. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Good served with crusty bread.

OKAY, a few tips here from me:

• make sure you use butter to grease the dish. Cooking spray will not cut it here, you need real butter (or if you must, margarine)
• when your shells are done cooking, spread them out on some parchment paper so they don't stick to each other while they are waiting to be filled (I thought they looked like albino turtles, but maybe I am just crazy!)
• Don't forget to chop up your broccoli small like I did. It makes a difference.
• I prefer my milk and cream to be room temperature when I use them so I measure and set aside while I am doing everything else. I have never like putting cold anything to make a sauce thicken.

This was a delightful recipe that my whole family (except my vegetarian because she does not like broccoli!!!) enjoyed. I had never stuffed pasta before and this was a good starter recipe. Imagine, a last name of Maurizi and I had never stuffed shells before! 

I hope you try it! And Ms. Doris I cant wait to try your other recipes in this book! You are a keeper!

Oven Fries

I needed a new way to fix potatoes. I was not in the mood for mashed potatoes. Scalloped potatoes take to long and my new way of living definitely did not support frying them. I figured that baking would be the way to go.  As the main course is big juicy Bacon and Cheddar Hamburger Steaks, oven fries seemed to be a good fit.  Here are the ingredients that I used:

7 russet potatoes, peeled and cut length-wise
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Dump the seasonings into a large ziploc bag along with the oil.  Add the potato slices and close the bag.  Make sure you have it sealed.  Vigorously shake the bag until the potatoes are well coated with the olive oil and seasonings.

Bake in a 450 degree oven for at least 30 minutes or until potatoes are done. Transfer to a bowl and toss in some shredded Parmesan and parsley if desired. I forgot the parsley at the store but I did add the Parmesan.

It made for a lovely side dish to our hamburger steaks!

If "Chopped" can do it, so can I! (In other words, making something new out of leftovers!)

I had a mess of spaghetti with meat sauce leftover from just a few days ago and I absolutely was not going to let it all go to waste. One of my favorite new episodes of "Chopped" on Food Network had leftovers in each mystery basket. It was very intriguing how they re-worked the various items into something new. It was a challenge I was ready to take on!

My pursuit began at the grocery store. Strolling through the vegetables and various other rows with my beautiful red-headed daughter Paulina, I was looking for something to inspire me.  Inspiration came in the form of my girl pointing out the pre-made pizza crusts and suggesting we do a spaghetti pizza! Grabbing the crusts, some extra tomato sauce and some shredded Parmesan, we headed home to make some magic!

I put some butter (yes, butter - sometimes it is the only thing that will do) in a saute pan to melt and added one large yellow onion chopped with three smashed and chopped cloves of garlic to get soft and yummy. Next I chopped some fancy Italian zucchini into small chunks and put it into the onions and garlic to soften up as well.

While the zucchini and onion and garlic married in the pan and embraced the butter, I began to prepare the crusts for their toppings.  I spread the crust with a very thin layer of spaghetti sauce.

Next came a layer of the leftover spaghetti and meat sauce.

Following this was a layer of freshly chopped white mushrooms, a layer of shredded Parmesan cheese, and then a heaping spoonful of the sauteed zucchini, onions and garlic.

Then more Parmesan and a heavy layer of sharp Cheddar cheese.

Now, as many of you know I have quite a few carnivores in my household. There is one in particular who wants to eat healthier but just can't seem to go "green" with her vegetables - literally. Therefore I made a second pizza that was strictly for the meat-eaters.  It started with the same base of the pizza crust, a little sauce, the spaghetti with meat sauce but then I added a healthy topping of pepperoni.

I added the Parmesan and Cheddar cheese to the top of this and threw them both in a 450 degree oven for about 10-minutes to heat through, crisp the crust and melt the cheese. While the pizzas were baking, I put together a salad of mixed greens, chopped red, yellow and orange sweet peppers, chopped fresh mushrooms, grape tomatoes, a chopped apple, Parmesan and Cheddar cheese.

And finally on the plate:

The vegetable pizza was my favorite.  The zucchini and onion blend mixed with the pasta and the crisp crust was dancing across my palate. It was so very, very good. I preferred it to the all meat version.  Overall I believe this leftover experiment was a success.