Very opinionated about lasagna

Hello!

I took off one more week than I had planned but after Thanksgiving, I just really couldn’t think about cooking for a little while. Glad to have had a rest and I’m back to being excited about cooking again. On a personal note, my twin daughters’ birthday is today and we are excited to celebrate them. They are truly wonderful and I’m so glad to know them.

Quick Links

chicken tenders // squash salad // red lentil soup // lasagna // raspberry mazurkas

Weeknight Meals

• Chicken tenders

  • For when you really want to score some points with the children in your life. And the adults honestly because these are ridiculously good. The dip is a fantastic addition. I can’t wait to make these again.

• Delicata Squash Salad

  • It’s squash season still and delicata is a unique and fun variety. I like the tart pomegranate seeds, salty cheese and punchy dressing with the earthy squash.

image from cookieandkate.com

• Red Lentil Soup

  • I’ve included this and its many variations in the newsletter a few times already but it’s such a staple for us that I thought I should include it this season.

Weekend Meal

• Lasagna

  • I have strong opinions about lasagna, it turns out. I spent a long time looking at recipes before making mine this weekend and I’m here to impart my wisdom. You probably have your own opinions, but this is my newsletter and maybe you like lasagna the same way I do.

    • I don’t like the no boil noodles! I think they are gummy and weird. I also don’t think that pre-boiling the noodles while the sauce is cooking is too much extra work for the great results.

    • I want my lasagna to be perfectly cheesy if not a little less cheesy than expected. A mascarpone and parmesan layer, as in this recipe, instead of ricotta (which turns out grainy when I’ve made it) is just the right amount of cheese and I want mozzarella only on top.

    • I think thin slabs of zucchini salted and flash fried are a delicious layer but not a substitute for noodles.

    • Equally good vegetarian or with ground beef in the sauce.

image from pinchofyum.com

Treat of the Week

• Raspberry Mazurkas

  • These bars are perfect: so easy to make, inexpensive ingredients, and an excellent balance of flavors. I made them for the first time this week and already plan to make them again to take to neighbors closer to Christmas. They are from the new and excellent cookbook Snacking Bakes.

Something to Listen to

• I love the podcast Sentimental Garbage. The episode this week about Shania Twain is fun, funny and feminist. The Gilmore Girls episodes with the same guest are some of my favorite of all time. (Some language not suitable for little ears.)

Have a wonderful week,

Emily