| I know for the Lasagna purists out there, this is not a | | | | 9. Add any type of cheese, spice or veggie you like. |
| recipe to endure you to the "purist lasagna" notiion. | | | | 10. Olive oil |
| After all, a good Lasagna, made correctly is often a | | | | Utensils You Need: |
| work of art. But remember, no one has to know how | | | | 1. A tempered oven-safe dish |
| quickly you put this together, nor do they have to | | | | 2. If you are steaming the broccoli a pot and a |
| know that you did not sweat your guts out in a hot | | | | vegetable steamer. |
| kitchen. And for all you singles out there, it makes a | | | | 3. If you are grating the cheese a cheese grater or |
| GREAT impression on your date you are cooking for. | | | | hand grater. |
| (Just put away the beeper and cell phone and pay | | | | Directions: |
| attention to the date at the dinner table!) | | | | 1. Cover the bottom of the dish with Olive oil |
| The first thing you must remember is not to be | | | | 2. If you are steaming the broccoli do it now. |
| daunted by the word, lasagna. Whenever that name | | | | 3. Take the lasagna noodles and lay out a layer on the |
| comes up, coming from New York City as I do, I think | | | | bottom of the dish. If they are too long don't worry just |
| of fancy Italian restaurants who make a specialty and | | | | break them into pieces you need. Try as well to line |
| a living out of really incredible lasagna dishes. So rule | | | | the side of the dish. One layer of the lasagna is fine. |
| one here - if they can do it, you also can do it! | | | | 4. Open a sour cream and pour it on the bottom on |
| Let us approach this as a back-to-basics dish. Some | | | | top of the first layer. Now add a layer of your tomato |
| of the basic ingredients for Lasagna would be the | | | | lasagna sauce. Now some spinach leaves and or |
| noodles, the sauce, the cheese. Keep this in mind. This | | | | broccoli. Spinach leaves can be laid out and they will |
| is what is going to serve as the basic staple in almost | | | | cook. Broccoli should be cut up after it is steamed and |
| any lasagna recipe. | | | | sprinkle it in. |
| When you purchase the pasta - the lasagna noodles - | | | | 5. If you decided on the Fresh mushrooms, just cut |
| you are looking for a decent brand. They can be | | | | them into fourths or so, and sprinkle them in. |
| regular or spinach. They should though be wide and | | | | 6. Now sprinkle half the the tablespoon of Oregano |
| flat (the edges can have ripples if you like it that way, | | | | and/or Basil. |
| makes it all a bit prettier too.) But since this is NOT a | | | | 7. Now put a layer of cheese. Not a lot. Just sprinkle |
| gourmet recipe, no need to go overboard. Of course, | | | | some here and there. |
| you can use fresh pasta, which will increase the price | | | | 8. If there is a room for another layer of the lasagna, |
| of this dish exponentially, though the taste is well worth | | | | go back to steps 3-7 and repeat. |
| it. Remember though, with fresh pasta, you MUST cut | | | | 9. Now the final layer of lasagna - and cover that with |
| down the exposure to the direct heat, otherwise the | | | | cheese. You want that cheese to melt into those |
| pasta itself will burn mighty quickly. (I say that with | | | | noodles. |
| great, heartrending experience - and a totally lost | | | | 10. Cover the dish with Aluminum Foil. |
| opportunity for a great romantic dinner!) | | | | 11. Into a 350º Fahrenheit oven the dish goes for |
| Quick Baked Lasagna | | | | 45 minutes. |
| Ingredients: | | | | 12. Set the table - NICELY. Ugh! No plastic. Yikes! What |
| 1. One normal sized box of Lasagna pasta to your | | | | are you doing, going on a picnic? |
| taste and likes. There are so many brands out there, | | | | 13. Two long colored candles will help. Sheesh...do I |
| your local supermarket probably packs quite a few | | | | have to teach you guys everything?? |
| variations. In our case, if you have no preference, the | | | | 14. Go shower and get dressed for your date and |
| old "eeny meeny minie mo" will work. | | | | warn the kids that if they show themselves it will be |
| 2. A decent jar of tomato sauce. (Of course you can | | | | under pain of no allowance for a year. (That should |
| make your own, but remember this is a quick recipe!) | | | | work) |
| Thick sauce. You can even find them with some | | | | 15. Take a peek under the foil. It will probably need |
| spices added, e.g. with garlic or basil or both. | | | | another 10-15 minutes. |
| 3. Cheese again to your taste. Parmesan is often used | | | | 16. If you are serving white wine, make sure it is in the |
| but you can mix and combine. The cheese should be | | | | fridge and chilled. |
| grated or you will have to grate it at home. | | | | 17. All done? Put the oven on warm (around |
| 4. 1-2 Small jars of Sour Cream | | | | 50º). Leave the foil on and pray your date is not |
| 5. Lets get a bit healthy and add either some Spinach | | | | allergic to cheese! |
| Leaves or Broccoli (or both!) Remember if you get the | | | | 18. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, take a deep |
| broccoli fresh or frozen you will have to steam boil it at | | | | breath and go pick up your date. |
| home for 15 minutes. | | | | This can be as simple or as complicated as you desire |
| 6. Like Mushrooms? Hell you are in the supermarket | | | | it to be. Remember always the three basic staples. |
| right? Go for a few fresh mushrooms to your taste. | | | | Cheese, lasagna noodles and good rich tomato sauce. |
| NO! Don't be lazy! Forget the canned mushrooms. | | | | The rest is up to you. This can be swift or if you allow |
| Sheesh! YUCK! Fresh Fresh Fresh! | | | | yourself, can have you messing with tons of great |
| 7. 1 Tablespoon Oregano (Preferably fresh and then | | | | ingredients for an hour or so. So take this one to town |
| crushed - but a spice jar will do) | | | | or do it down and dirty. Oh. I almost forgot. Good luck |
| 8. 1 Tablespoon Basil (Preferably fresh and then | | | | on your date! (And remember to set the table with |
| crushed - but a spice jar will do) | | | | napkins. |