Random Tuesday Lasagna

Again, the Spin Cycle this week is “Fall recipes” and I’m participating every day. However, Beloved asked that I take today off and do a Random Tuesday Thoughts; he says they’re among his favorite posts. Phooey on that, I say – why not do both?

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There are some women in this world who come home from work knowing exactly what they are going to make for dinner (mostly because they stopped at the store on the way home and picked up everything for lasagna). They come home, put away the stuff that needs to remain refrigerated and lay out the rest of the ingredients on the counter next to the stove. They then pour themselves a glass of merlot and set the oven for 350° F, press the “start” button and walk away to see which fish decided to go belly up today relax for a few minutes with their family.

These women may or may not go back into the kitchen (husband in tow to cut up onions and bell peppers) and take a look at the oven only to see that it is NOT on. Since their husbands are notorious for turning off the oven as they wander through the kitchen (and this has nothing to do with the fact that these women are notorious for forgetting to turn the oven off after they’re finished with it – he’s just ornery that way), these women might be inclined to yell, “Who the hell turned off the oven???” and ignore the husband’s protests that he hadn’t been anywhere near her oven all day (which is really a shame).

Ten minutes later, when these women realize that the timer on the oven was set for 3 hours and 50 minutes, they will quietly turn off said timer without mentioning it to anyone.

Not that I know any women like that or anything.

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It does not bode well when your husband comes running into the cabin you’ve rented for the weekend, asking, “Honey, what does a brown recluse spider look like?”

Answer: Not this.

NOT a brown recluse spider

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Ahhh, my sons and their video games. This is the text of a recent IM conversation between me and Oldest Son:

Me: You still there?

Oldest Son: Yeah.

Oldest Son: Playing Arkham Asylum.

Oldest Son: Highlight of the game so far: Performing a stealth take-out and sneaking away unnoticed, I heard another thug yell “Oh, God… He just vanished! What the hell are you!?”

Me: Stealth take-out? Like an invisible Big Mac?

Oldest Son: Yes, I stealthily made him obese.

Oldest Son: I’m the McBatman.

Smartass.

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The other day, as I stood in the checkout line at the grocery store with my cartload of lasagna fixin’s (yes, there’s a theme going on here, hence the title of this post), I found myself face-to-face with Southern Living’s special edition of “Christmas at Home” on the end-cap magazine rack. Intrigued by promises of “Our best holiday recipes ever!” and “86 fresh ideas that bring cheer to your house!” I threw a copy into my cart.

Later that evening, glass of merlot in hand, I perused the truly hideous decorating ideas – Christmas stockings made out of burlap?? A heavily flocked tree decorated exclusively in turquoise?? – and shuddered and snorted my way through the magazine. It wasn’t until I got to the “Best holiday recipes ever!” that I became vocal.

“Oh, come on!” I exclaimed. “Who starts a recipe for Sugar-and-Spice Cake with ‘1 (18.25-oz.) package of white cake mix’?!?!”

“Well, think about their target audience,” say Beloved. “Women who buy magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store.”

Yeah, he’s still alive. Barely.

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Lasagna

This is a rerun of a recipe I posted late last year. My go-to recipe for lasagna, the only person who doesn’t just adore it (my friend Pseudo says she’s made it three times since I originally posted it, bless her heart) is Beloved. Why? Well, that’s explained below.

Lasagna tends to be a touchy subject in our home.

Oh, don’t get me wrong – we all love it. A lot. It’s just that both Beloved and I have our tried and true recipes – his handed down from his mother, mine developed and honed over many years – and we each are convinced our own recipe is the best.

For the record, my recipe is better.

Naturally.

You see, I believe that a truly good lasagna is like a symphony, with all of the many parts blending together harmoniously, each ingredient complimenting and enhancing all of the others. My lasagna is a concerto of firm pasta, savory beef, subtle seasonings, tender vegetables and four different cheeses.

Beloved’s family lasagna recipe tastes like tomatoes and sausage. It’s not their fault – they’re from Ohio, where every dish tastes like tomatoes and sausage.

Including fajitas.

Anyhoo, since my recipe is the better one, it’s the one you’re getting. Waltz with it.

Lasagna

serves 8 generously

2 pounds lean ground beef

Salt and pepper to taste

2 standard size cans tomato sauce

1 – 4 oz. can tomato paste

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium green bell pepper, diced

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 small container small curd cottage cheese

1 small container full-fat ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (NOT the stuff in the can)

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 lb. box lasagna noodles

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Prepare the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water until they’re cool and no longer sticking together. Lay them out in a single layer on waxed paper or foil.

Brown ground beef with the mushrooms, onion, garlic and bell pepper over high heat. Drain if necessary; salt and pepper to taste. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil and thyme; reduce heat to a simmer.

While the beef mixture is simmering, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan, egg and parsley in a medium sized mixing bowl; mix well.

In a large (9 x 13) baking dish, place a single layer of noodles and spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture, followed by another layer of noodles. Top with 1/2 of the meat sauce, then 1/2 of the mozzarella. Repeat, laying another layer of noodles, followed by the other half of the cheese mixture, a layer of noodles, and the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella.

Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese on top is melted and beginning to brown. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 – 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

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Random Tuesday Thoughts

For more Random Tuesday Thoughts, with or without lasagna, head on over to Keely’s at The UnMom. She’s a saucy wench, and you can quote me on that.

22 Comments

stoneskin

Posted October 20, 2009 at 5:52 am | Permalink

Just Merlot? Why do they go with Merlot, that is the question? And do these woman vary it, ocasionally quaffing away at a fine Crozes Hermitage or Rioja?
Erin

Posted October 20, 2009 at 6:21 am | Permalink

At school yesterday, the lunch topic was lasagna recipes. How did you know? I am going to be perfecting a cheese and vegetable-ish concoction this winter, as I think I am pretty close to a meat free existence (I have issues). I very nearly started to put ingredients in my grocery cart last night…

Hmmmm. Cold weather baking should be starting soon, too.
Erin´s last blog ..who are you and where is your husband?
vodkamom

Posted October 20, 2009 at 6:55 am | Permalink

I can’t believe you let him live. Hold him down, I’m coming over.
Sprite's Keeper

Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:49 am | Permalink

Oh, my Heaven, I want that lasagna now. John’s back on his health kick and while I love it, it means I can’t make really good recipes like this because he’ll scrutinize the hell out of it. “How much fat in it?” “How big is the serving?” “How many pushups will I have to do to work it off?” I love him, I do. But I love lasagna too..
You’re linked!
Sprite’s Keeper´s last blog ..RTT: In The Thick Of Sick
Linda P.

Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:53 am | Permalink

And some women come home from work without a clue about dinner and just go straight to the Merlot:)

I do have a pretty good Spinach Lasagna and I don’t cook the noodles first, just put them in the pan raw. The water in the sauce is enough to cook ‘em.
Linda P.´s last blog ..Zombie Prom Date Knitters
Michele

Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:09 am | Permalink

You make lasagna after work? It takes like hours. I try to keep to under an hour recipes. More time for that glass of wine. You can see where my priorities are.
Michele´s last blog ..Meatless Monday – Pumpkin Soup
Raven

Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:23 am | Permalink

‘I stealthily made him obese…I’m the McBatman’ LMAO!

I can’t believe you let Beloved live after that comment. lol He must be one heck of a husband. Though, after Vodkamom gets there, there may not be much of him left.

Of course, I don’t know how to make anything that doesn’t come out of a box at some point, so that would be the perfect recipe for me. Your lasagna sounds really, really good, though with my cooking skills landing somewhere around Ramen Noodles it may be a bit much for me to try.
Beth

Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:55 am | Permalink

I never realized there were similarities between people in the South and from Ohio. My mother’s spaghetti, lasagna, tacos, etc all taste like meat and tomatoes. No spice. No blend. I grew up with salt and pepper as the only spices known to man.

This probably best explains why my parents rarely come over to eat our (weird – their word) foods.

Your lasagna recipe sounds divine!
Beth´s last blog ..Thoughts while running
Maureen@IslandRoar

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:02 am | Permalink

OH, I love lasagna! “Good lasagna is like a symphony…” How true.
You reminded me of me with the turning-off-the-oven, but not really, story.
Maureen@IslandRoar´s last blog ..Spin Cycle: Recipes
Be

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:24 am | Permalink

Now ladies, I am entitled to a defense here. You read her blog and recipes. Do you really think she gets these recipes from the same shelf where they sell The Enquirer?
Jan

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:38 am | Permalink

Good save, dear.
Pseudo

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:45 am | Permalink

I’m with Be on the I love your Random Tuesday posts. However, well, you know how I feel about your lasagna. I think it needs it’s 4th show soon over here. With a nice big glass of red wine…
Pseudo´s last blog ..Know Your Boobies
Harriet

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:53 am | Permalink

I can’t tell you how many magazine purchase decisions I’ve made that way.

Have a great RT!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/10/balloon-boy-family-feels-under-siege.html
Harriet´s last blog ..I Challenge You to Leave 1000 Comments!!!!!!!
LPC

Posted October 20, 2009 at 11:15 am | Permalink

You really do have a witty son.
LPC´s last blog ..Awards, Prizes, And Other Surprises
Amy's Stocking Stuff

Posted October 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm | Permalink

Stumbled onto your blog while browsing around about “Christmas stockings”, and read all the way through your post. You have such a funny, distinctive voice!

Have a good day! I’m off to make a mental note NOT to suggest Christmas stockings made of burlap….
Amy’s Stocking Stuff´s last blog ..80s Cube Clock
shraddha

Posted October 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm | Permalink

omg! i love love love your blog theme..

if i ate beef i would try your recepie..

visiting from random tuesday..
Keely

Posted October 20, 2009 at 2:09 pm | Permalink

Hm, maybe someone performed a stealth take-out or two on me…

Totally making lasagne next week. I say next week because this week’s menu is already planned. PLANNED, I tell ya.
Keely´s last blog ..The future would appreciate it if I didn’t take up quilting: Random Tuesday Thoughts
Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)

Posted October 20, 2009 at 5:40 pm | Permalink

Your lasagna recipe is very close to mine, so I’d definitely agree that yours is best vs. your hubby’s. And I am so going to try your specific recipe out, too!

Love the texts between you and your son. I have a feeling Princess Nagger will be an entertainment factor when she gets to the cell phone/texting age. At least I hope.

Happy RTT!
Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts – The Plague, Pitiful Pumpkin, Staples Fiasco, Dinosaur Tease
Angel

Posted October 20, 2009 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

yummmy recipe, and sadly with the personalities of myself and kensei I can see that conversation happening, both the Christmas magazine and the oldest child IM.
Happy RTT!
Angel´s last blog ..Only At Tech Random Tuesday Thoughts
Twenty Four At Heart

Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:19 pm | Permalink

I made your lasagna last year and it was yummy. Gawd I’m tired Jan … have I mentioned I ALSO am fighting H1N1? Between taking care of PR for a few sick weeks and now coughing my lung out every few minutes … I’m just exhausted.
I did manage to really embarrass myself today. Really, really embarrass myself. And oh yes … I’m not shy. I’ll be sharing my humiliation with the whole world in my wed post. Sigh! Do you mind that I come over here and just ramble in your comments section? I didn’t think so. And big hugs to you too for your moms bday! XO
Twenty Four At Heart´s last blog ..Updates For The Curious
Smart Mouth Broad

Posted October 21, 2009 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

I’m so glad that you didn’t ditch the randomness that I love. But I love me some lasagna too.

I love pouring a glass of wine as soon as I walk through the door. Meal prep is so much better with wine.
Smart Mouth Broad´s last blog ..I’M BECOMING MY MOTHER
Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt

Posted October 22, 2009 at 2:30 pm | Permalink

I spun a Lasagna post too! Had to come over and check yours out. I’m always looking for other great recipes. This one sounds devine.
Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt´s last blog ..Comfort Food

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