Saturday, February 22, 2014

Doug's lasagna

olive oil
1 onion
3 small jars Prego (or 1 large and one small)
1 container ricotta cheese
1 container cottage cheese
about 3/4 pound mozzarella
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
3 large cloves garlic
1 pound sausage
1 box frozen spinach
2 boxes lasagna noodles uncooked (you'll have some leftover)

Preheat oven to 350. Oil the pan. In a large sauce pan, cook onion and sausage till done, when almost done, add garlic.
Mix ricotta, cottage cheese, egg, Italian spice,parmesan, and 1 cup grated mozzarella
Put some sauce in bottom of pan and then a layer of noodles (uncooked), then the meat layer, sauce, a layer of noodles,  spinach, noodles, and more sauce, and top with  grated mozzarella.
Bake in 350 over about 90 min. 
Makes a ton,  enough for 10 if you cut large portions.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Chocolate Mousse

It's simple, versatile and delicious. Most important, it's no longer secret. "Like my French friends," Greenspan says, "this is the dessert I turn to all the time. But unlike some of them, I'll give you my recipe. It's my Valentine's Day present to you."
Around My French Table


Recipe: Top-Secret Mousse

Makes 4 servings
3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Whipped cream or creme fraiche, for serving (optional)
Gently melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water or in a microwave oven on medium power.
If necessary, transfer the chocolate to a bowl that can hold all the ingredients. Using a whisk, stir the egg yolks into the chocolate one at a time.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the salt until they start to form peaks. Beating all the while, gradually add the sugar. Continue to beat until the whites are shiny and hold medium-firm peaks.
Spoon about one-quarter of the whites over the melted chocolate and stir with the whisk until the mixture is almost smooth. (Stirring in a bit of the whites lightens the chocolate and makes the next step easier.) Spoon the rest of the whites over the chocolate and, using the whisk or a large rubber spatula, very carefully fold in the whites. Be as thorough as you can without overworking the mixture — it's better to have a few white streaks than to beat the bubbles out of the mousse by overmixing (actually, I find the streaks appealing).
Spoon the mousse into a serving bowl or individual bowls or serve it now, or cover it and keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready for dessert.
(Note from Vera--This was not as easy as it sounds)
Serving
Before the mousse sets, spoon it into individual cups — I love the way the mousse looks in martini glasses — or put it in a pretty serving bowl. I like to top it with lightly whipped heavy cream or creme fraiche. You don't have to stop there — the mousse is delicious with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, crushed candied nuts, nut brittle or even pulverized Heath Bar bits.
Storing
Covered well, the mousse will keep overnight in the refrigerator, although it will get denser as it stands.
Bonne idee
To give the mousse a mocha flavor, add 1 tablespoon strong coffee to the bowl with the chocolate to be melted. Alternatively, you can add another flavor when you whisk in the egg yolks; such as 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract, 1/8 teaspoon pure peppermint extract or a drop or two of pure orange oil.
A word on the eggs
The eggs in this recipe are not cooked, so it's important to use very fresh eggs, preferably organic and/or from a trusted local source.

Another easier recipe to try (also from the back of a chocolate bar):  : into a blender (in this order) place 2 cups chocolate chips (or any chopped semi-sweet chocolate), 1/2 cup sugar, 3 whole eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup boiling milk. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour into serving cups and refrigerate for 1 hour (or more). Top with real whipped cream. (The boiling milk melts the chocolate and cooks the eggs at the same time.)


Friday, February 7, 2014

Sweet Potato Quinoa Stew with White Beans and Spinach (from Andrea Bemis)

A delicious and hearty winter stew.
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins.
  • COOK TIME
    30 mins.
  • 1 TBS coconut oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 large sweet potato, or two smaller sweet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch chunks
  • 1 heaping tsp dried thyme
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 15 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked navy beans (or any white bean of your choice) if canned rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa
  • 4 cups spinach
  • 6-8 cups low sodium vegetable stock
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste


Serves 4-6
  1. Heat the coconut oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, sweet potato, quinoa, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 3 more minutes.
  2. Add 6 cups of vegetable stock and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  3. Stir in coconut milk and spinach. If soup is too thick add a bit more stock or water. Season to taste with plenty of salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Use this recipe as a guide. Adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary. Always taste test as you go!