Lasagna!!!

 The cute firefighter really likes lasagna.  He works very hard so I thought he deserved some when he came to visit this past weekend.  My lasagna usually takes three days to make but I did not have time to make that recipe.  Shopping is one of the difficult things for me to do with one hand these days so I had to whip this up from stuff I had on hand. 


 First I browned some ground bacon and pepperoni.


 I had some locally made sausage patties so I used them.  4 hot Italian and 4 sweet Italian.

 They were too hard to break up so when they were done cooking, I pulsed them in the food processor.


 This gave me a nice uniform grind.

 I hardly ever use a food processor but because of the bad paw, I chopped my onion, carrots and celery in it.  Wow!  It worked really well!  I should probably use it more often.  I used one large onion, 4 carrots and 3 stalks of celery.  I sauteed them until they began to soften.

 After returning the meat mixture to the pan with the vegetables, I added salt and pepper, oregano, thyme and granulated garlic.  Taste and adjust seasoning at this point.


 And of course, anchovies.  They bring out the flavor in the meat.


 Add a couple tablespoons of butter to enrich the sauce.



 Add 4 large cans of crushed tomatoes.  This recipe is for a large lasagna.


 Add 2 cans of tomato paste.  Stir it and taste it and add 1 tablespoon of sugar if needed.


 Add 2 packets of Swanson's beef stock concentrate.


 I had some pesto which I had just made so I added about 1/2 cup of it.


 Stir in a bunch of chopped fresh parsley.

 I always spray my pan to keep the lasagna from sticking.


 I used 2 large containers of Ricotta.  To it, I added 4 eggs, 1  1/2 cups of grated Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper and oregano.


 I started the layering with a double row of noodles topped with a layer of mozzarella cheese.  When the lasagna bakes, the cheese melts into the noodles giving the lasagna a solid base.

 I place a layer of pepperoni on top of the cheese and top it with sauce.

 More noodles and a layer of the ricotta mixture.  Then a layer of Provolone, noodles and more sauce.


I always add a layer of very thinly sliced smoky ham.  I used Westphalian ham here.  This adds lots of flavor and you don't even know it is there.  I also like adding a layer of fresh basil.
 I keep layering until I reach the top or run out of ingredients.  Top it off with sauce and a good sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 325 degrees until it is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden.  This took a couple of hours for one this size.


I wish I had remembered to take a photo of it when I served it but that was when the kids arrived and I got caught up in the moment and forgot.  They went home with lots of leftovers!

This is one of the best lasagnas I have ever made.  The old recipe is a goner!

Comments

brokenteepee said…
I often forget to take photos too. I'm sure they loved it. It looks yummy!
OMGosh...I just made sauce yesterday. We are trying to use less meat an attempt to be healthier... so I will skip on the pepperoni, sausage, etc (this is making my mouth water). However, son suggested using tofu, something with which I am not at all familiar. Anyways, I picked up some very helpful hints from your recipe... I like the layer of basil added and the double criss/cross of lasagne on the bottom.
Love your blog ... thanks for sharing .
Much Peace,
Barb
I'm not kidding, I could eat half of the pan. I love lasagna and rarely make it. I have no idea why. I'll be making this.
Anonymous said…
Oh my gosh, I had to take notes, I want to replicate this, what you do with one "paw" as you put it, is just amazing,
chickpea678 said…
Where's the pic of the cute firefighter? LOL! :-p
chickpea678 said…
Where's the pic of the cute firefighter? LOL!! ;-p
Nellie said…
Lasagna, one of my favorite things to cook! The way you are coping with that bandaged "paw" is just amazing!
Anonymous said…
I have never made lasagna, I know, I'm ashamed of myself. I love it so much. This looks outrageously delicious. I don't know if I could make it though. How bout I just come over for dinner!
connectionweb said…
Looking at your OMG!dishes makes me soooooooooooooo hungry. I'm on a diet and if I don't route away from your blog; I might not be any longer.
connectionweb said…
I'm soooooooooooooo hungry right now! I'm on a diet and if I don't leave your blog, I won't be any longer. Lol!!
This looks awfully good...I love reading your Blog and I am now a Follower of your Blog. You have a really neat Blog.

I too have a blog and I would love for you to be a follower on mine too.
SharleneT said…
Yah, I'm looking for the firefighter, too! What a great recipe! I'm sure he loved it! Was there any left for me?
Ina in Alaska said…
Drooling up here in Anchorage Alaska. Looks completely fabulous. I could eat the other half of the pan that Beverly leaves behind.

PS I have never ever boiled my lasagna noodles. My grandmother never did either. We cover the lasagna pan with foil and cook for an additional half hour. Never fails.
Looks absolutely divine! I salute you for tackling this with one hand, well done !!: )
Ozlem