Red and White Lasagna

We had guests over for dinner last night and this is what I made. Everyone loved it, even the kids!! It also makes great leftovers for lunch or a weekend dinner. I served it with garlic french bread, ceasar salad and fruit salad.

12 Lasagna noodles

1 15oz. container ricotta cheese

1 10oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided

2 eggs

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage or ground beef, cooked and drained

1 26oz. jar marinara pasta sauce

1 16oz. jar alfredo pasta sauce

chopped fresh parsley(optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, spinach, mozzarella cheese, 2 Tbls. parmesan cheese and eggs; mix well. In a 15x9-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup marinara sauce. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over sauce. Top with half che3ese mixture, 1 cup marinara sauce and all the cooked beef. Layer 4 more lasagna noodles, remaining cheese mixture and remaining marinara sauce. Top with 4 remaining lasagna noodles. Spred Alfred sauce evenly on top; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Cover; bake 40 minutes. Uncover, bake an additional 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

10-12 servings

Stir Fry

1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 c. cold water
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 pound boneless sirlion steak, cut into thin strips.
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 c. broccoli florets
2 c. cauliflowerets
1 onion, chopped
1 c. sliced carrots
Hot cooked rice

In a small bowl, whisk together the first eight ingredients until smooth; set aside. In a skillet stir fry steak in oil for 3-5 minutes. Add broc, cali, onion, carrots and soy sauce mixture; cover and cook 8 mins or until veggies are crisp tender, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.

This is one of my favorite meals! I made it for Keri and Chad yesterday!

Shannon we made your cookies:)

Keri spent the weekend with us!! We felt like something sweet so made Shannon's oatmeal choc. chip cookies! They are yummy!


My man was happy!! He loves sweets and has been wanting me to make cookies for awhile:)

Garden Fresh Lasagna

I made this for my family when we we're in Monticello one time and they seemed to really like it. Served it with french bread.

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
2 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup milk
1 box Hamburger Helper lasagna
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small tomato, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
2. Stir in hot water, milk, uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box), oregano and garlic powder. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato, bell pepper, zucchini and cheese. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; uncover (sauce will thicken as it stands). Stir before serving

Love, Kel

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

I love this pie! I'm not a huge lover of cheesecake just cause it's so rich but this one is delicious!

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted (i don't like nuts but for those that do!)
1 tbsp sugar
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups cold milk, divided
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

In a bowl, combine the strawberries, almonds, and sugar. Pour into crust. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; gradually add 1/2 cup of milk. Add pudding mix and remaining milk. Beat for 1 minute or until blended; pour over strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until set.

Enjoy!

Love, Kel

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is our family's favorite cookie recipe ever! You can make it healthier by adding some wheat germ; about 1/2 cup. Your family will never know they are "healthy"!

2 1/2 sticks butter or margarine

3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup wheat germ(optional)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 cups rolled oats

1 pkg. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add oats and mix well. Slowly add the oat mixture to the butter mixture, and stir to combine. When well mixed, add the chocolate chips and stir to distribute them evenly. Drop the batter by heaping tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Cheddar Ham Soup

This is a delicious creamy soup! I served it with homemade rolls.

2 cups diced peeled potatoes

2 cups water

1/2 cup sliced carrot

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 cups milk

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. basil

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, carrot and onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, in another saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add the milk, salt and pepper and basil. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thichened. Stir in the cheese until melted. Stir into undrained potato mixture. Add ham and peas; heat through. Yield: 7 servings.