Sunday, September 23, 2007

Stay Slim Lasagna

In the summer my goal is to make simple meals without heating up the house in any way. Since the weather has cooled down from the summer heat, I have once again been able to cook again. I surprised Eric last week by making lasagna, which he really likes. I love, love, love this recipe!

Usually, I make it with the meat, but went vegetarian style this week. When I was at the grocery store, I thought I had meat at home, but when I got home, I realized that I didn't, and I wasn't going back out to the store! For some reason, I really like how this recipe came out this time. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo...so here's the recipe.

First Place Stay Slim Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 1/2lb. ground turkey or beef
-1/4c. plus 2 Tbs. chopped onion (reserve 2 Tbs. for spinach/cheese layer)
- 1 1/2 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. Italian dressing
- 1/2 tsp. basil
- 1 Tbs. dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 lasagna noodles
- 1 (6oz.) can tomato paste + 1 can water
- 1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms
- 10 oz fresh or frozen spinach leaves, chopped
- 6 oz. low fat ricotta cheese
- 6 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (reserve 3 oz. for top)

Steps for preparation:
  1. Saute turkey or beef, onion, and garlic. Add seasonings, tomato paste, and water. Simmer about 10 minutes. Stir in mushrooms.
  2. Steam fresh spinach, 2 Tbs. onion and 1/2 clove garlic, stirring occasionally until spinach is wilted. Using wire strainer, mash out excess liquid. (For frozen spinach, thaw and mash out excess water.) Add 1/4 tsp black pepper if desired. Stir until well blended. Mix in ricotta and 3 oz. mozzarella.
  3. Boil 6 lasagna noodles until tender; drain (or, if making this the night before, then don't boil the noodles...the liquids will soak into the dry noodles and cook with no problem).
  4. In a 9x9 square or 7x11 casserole dish, layer 3 noodles; 1/2 meat mixture; entire spinach and cheese layer; 3 noodles; remaining meat mixture. Top with 3 oz. mozzarella.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serves 6.

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