Veterans Day

 

 

 

(Grandpa got to come to Shane's school for the Veterans Day Program)

 

Our family expresses our gratitude to all who have served our country.

 

Thank you

 

God bless you

Absolutley Amazing Lasagna

This is my favorite lasagna recipe.

It is incredibly yummy!

 

 

Amazing Lasagna

 

 

1 pound ground beef

6 ounces ground pork (not sausage, see notes)

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

 

1 can (1 pound) tomatoes

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

2 Tbs. parsley flakes

2 Tbs. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp.  basil leaves

 

24 ounces cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tbs. parsley flakes

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. oregano leaves

 

12 lasagna noodles, cooked & well drained

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 pound cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Cook and stir ground beef, ground pork, onion & garlic in large saucepan until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off all grease.

 

Add tomatoes, break up with a fork if necessary. Stir in tomato sauce, 2 Tbs. parsley flakes, the sugar, 1 tsp. salt and the basil. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 hour or until mixture is the consistency of spaghetti sauce.

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tbs. parsley flakes, 1 1/2 tsp. salt and the oregano. Reserve 1/2 cup meat sauce for thin top layer.

 

In un-greased 9x13 pan, layer 1/4 each of the noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and cottage cheese mixture. Repeat the layers 3 times.

 

Spread reserved meat sauce over top, sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

(Lasagna can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point if desired. Add an additional 10-15 minutes to cook time)

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes

For easier cutting, let stand 15 minutes after removing from oven.

 

Yield: 12 servings

 

*My Notes:

Ground pork can be a little difficult to find. You can substitute a mild sausage if you have to. Try a mild Italian sausage, or a mild country sausage.

 

The cheddar cheese is my addition. We just like it with just a little bit of cheddar!

 

I use pre-grated Parmesan, I've found a brand I like. When I first started making this, I used the Kraft powdered stuff, 'cause I didn't know there was any different kind. You can use whichever you prefer.

 

The simmer time of the meat sauce will depend on what type of tomatoes you use. I usually use either petite diced or crushed style of tomatoes.

 

Start to finish takes about 2 hours. Approximately 1 hour prep/assembly & 1 hour baking time.





My Family's Favorite Meal

Yes, yes...it's another recipe.
We had this for dinner tonight, and I thought it interesting that I had never shared our favorite dish...and I do mean favorite.

So, I present... Chicken Broccoli Casserole (also known as Chicken Divan). We call it CBC for short. Whatever you call it...it's delish. Everyone in the family loves this, but it is hands down Emily's favorite food in the whole entire world.

My kids are funny, because when I make this they can become quite "terrotorial" over it.
They will argue about who is eating too much...who gets the leftovers...etc.

They will hide leftovers from each other, finding creative ways to disguise it in the fridge. One time, Emily took the leftovers to a friend's house so no one else would get them. To avert bloodshed, I've started making extras so there are plenty of leftovers for everyone!

It will be enjoyed for breakfast and lunch tomorrow by everyone who is quick enough to get their hands on the remaining stash.

Emily was gone today, but when I got home from church she had left a bowl on the counter for me to fill with leftovers for her to take to work tomorrow.

So, yeah. Pretty much my family's favorite meal. Ever.


Chicken Broccoli Casserole

4 chicken breast halves
1 (16 oz) package frozen broccoli (we prefer chopped broccoli)
1 cup shredded cheese
6 cups cooked rice

Sauce: (Mix together)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. curry powder

Place chicken in pan and cover with water. Season as desired (salt, bay leaf etc.) Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Cool and shred or cut into small pieces.
Cook broccoli according to package directions, until crisp/tender.
Spray a large cooking dish (10x15) with cooking spray.
Spread cooked rice in the bottom of the pan.
Top with chicken pieces, and then broccoli.
Pour sauce over the top. Sprinkle with cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly & cheese is melted.

*I usually use 1 1/2 bags of broccoli. And I just throw enough chicken on to make a nice layer. And I was a little heavy on the cheese tonight...you can adjust the recipe to your liking.
(This makes a big pan full...and yet I still have to make another small pan!!!)

*Also, just a few more hours to enter my giveaway. Midnight tonight is the cutoff. (Closed)