Lasagna a la Laetitia

October 4, 2009 By
Lasagna Final Product

Lasagna Final Product

This simple lasagna recipe uses my grand-mother’s untraditional meat sauce.  The unbaked lasagna can be made and refrigerated the day before serving or can be frozen for up to a month (thaw overnight before baking per step 10).

Ingredients:

  • 12 lasagna noodles from a 9-ounce package, no-boil lasagna (used Barilla)
  • 1 32-ounce container, large curd cottage cheese
  • 5 cups, Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia
  • 1 8-ounce package of 5-Italian cheeses (from dairy aisle)
  • 4 tbs, grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 375F.
  2. Butter a 13x9x3 lasagna pan.  Ladle 2 cups Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia on bottom of pan.
  3. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 3

    Lasagna Step 3

  4. Empty cottage cheese container over the noodles in the pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle 2 tbs grated parmesan cheese.
  5. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the cheeses.

    Lasagna Step 5

    Lasagna Step 5

  6. Ladle 2 cups Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia over the last noodle layer.
  7. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 7

    Lasagna Step 7

  8. Ladle 1 cup Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia over the last noodle layer.
  9. Spread the package of 5-Italian cheeses, then remaining 2 tbs grated parmesan over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 9

    Lasagna Step 9

  10. Bake covered with foil for 50 minutes.  Uncover and continue cooking until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

6 Servings.

Filed Under: Canadian, Entrees, Italian, Pasta Tagged With: , , ,

Linguini with Crab and Two-Cheese Sauce

August 19, 2009 By
  • 1 small pkg. flake-style imitation crabmeat
  • 6 ounces linguini
  • 2 large minced garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tbs. butter
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • ½ cup sliced green onions
  • ½ cup Swiss cheese
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  Cook garlic and oregano in butter in a saucepan, stirring frequently, 1 minute.  Add tomato; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients; mix well.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted and sauce is hot.  Top pasta with sauce.

3-4 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta, Seafood Tagged With: , ,

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

August 19, 2009 By
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 48 little neck clams in the shell
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • pinch hot pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1 tbs. chopped parsley
  • 1 lb linguini, cooked according to package directions

Soak clams in water to cover for 5 minutes, rinse and scrub under running water.  In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.  Add garlic cloves and cook 5 minutes.  Add pepper flakes, clams, white wine and cook 5 minutes or until wine evaporates.

Cover and simmer, shaking pan, about 5 minutes until clams open.  Discard any clams not opened.

Toss clams with parsley and cooked linguini, top with bread crumbs.

4 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta, Seafood Tagged With:
19 August 2009 Quebec Meat Sauce a la Laetitia

Quebec Meat Sauce a la Laetitia

August 19, 2009 By

Grand-Mother’s non-traditional meat sauce that I’ve enjoyed since birth and now make regularly.

This meat sauce is ideal when making a lasagna or simply over spaghetti. The chili powder and touch of clove gives this sauce a little taste unlike others.

I suggest this Bolognese sauce recipe be doubled as it freezes very well and makes weeknight meals a breeze.

Love a Big Sauce Pot!

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 8 ounces celery, diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾ pound ground pork
  • ¾ pound ground beef
  • ½ Tbsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
  • ½ Tbsp. each chili powder, salt and pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ tsp. cloves
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 20-ounce can tomato juice
  • 1 28-ounce can Italian-style tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
Pantry Ingredients
Meat and Veggies Cooking
Sauce Simmering

Directions:

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute. Add meats and sauté until completely cooked, 5-7 minutes. Add spices and sugar and cook 1 minute. Add tomato juice, Italian-style tomatoes and the tomato paste and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours. Season again with salt, pepper and sugar as needed.

8 Servings.

Filed Under: Beef, Canadian, Entrees, Italian Tagged With: , ,

Everyday Seafood Lasagna Roll Ups

August 18, 2009 By
  • 6 lasagna noodles
  • 1 can (15 ounces) Italian-style tomato sauce

Filling:

  • 1 pkg. imitation crab flakes
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, drained
  • ¼ cup parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbs. parsley
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder

Cook noodles as directed on package.  Rinse in cold water; drain well.  Combine filling ingredients with fork.  Spread 1/3 cup filling on each noodle.  Roll tightly; place seam-side down in a 9-inch baking pan.  Pour sauce over rollups.  Bake covered at 375 F for 30 minutes.  Garnish with grated cheese.

6 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta, Seafood Tagged With: , , ,

Penne a La Vodka

August 18, 2009 By
  • 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 4 cups diced tomatoes (2-28 ounce cans plum)
  • 3/4 cup vodka
  • 2 Tbs. fish stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tbs. butter
  • 2 tsp. tarragon
  • 6-8 ounces penne
  • 3/4 cup romano cheese
  • salt and pepper

In large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté garlic in olive oil about 30 seconds.  Add tomatoes and bring to boil.  Add stock, cream, butter, vodka and tarragon.  Return to a boil and cook until mixture is reduced by half, 5-8 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside.  Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and divide between two plates.  Stir romano into sauce.  Pour over hot pasta.

2 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta Tagged With: ,
18 August 2009 Penne with Mushroom Sauce

Penne with Mushroom Sauce

August 18, 2009 By

Light yet hardy pasta that’s “meaty” from the Cremini mushrooms.

  • 5 Tbs. butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
  • 2 Tbs. dry Sherry
  • 1/4 tsp. thyme
  • 1 pound penne
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • 3 Tbsp. Parmersan cheese

Melt butter over medium-high heat.  Add onions and sauté 8 minutes.  Add mushrooms and sauté 6 minutes.  Add cream, sherry, thyme, and cook until sauce consistency, about 5 minutes.  Season to taste.  Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.  Toss sauce and pasta.  Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan.

4 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Mushrooms, Pasta Tagged With: , ,

Easy Veal Marsala

August 18, 2009 By

Sauce:

  • 3 Tbs. flour
  • 2 Tbs. butter, softened
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp. instant beef bouillon

Veal:

  • 3 Tbs. flour
  • 8 ounces veal scaloppini
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. butter, divided
  • 6 mushrooms sliced
  • 1/3 cup dry marsala wine
  • salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:  Mix flour and butter to form a paste.  In a saucepan bring the water to a boil over high heat and stir in the broth.  Reduce heat to low and stir in the flour mixture, cooking until desired thickness.  Keep on low heat.

Veal:  Place flour in a shallow dish and dip both sides of the veal shaking off excess.  Heat oil and 1 Tbs. butter over medium-high heat.  Brown the veal for 1-2 minutes on each side.  Remove veal to a plate.  Add the remaining butter to the veal skillet and sauté mushrooms for 1 minute.  Reduce heat to medium.  Stir in Marsala and cook 30 seconds, scarping brown bits from the pan.  Add the sauce and season to taste.  Return veal to the skillet to rewarm.  Serve with pasta or rice.

2 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Veal Tagged With: , ,

No-Fail Marinara Sauce

August 18, 2009 By
  • 16 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion cut into 1/4 dice
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • pinch of sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Drain tomatoes, reserving their liquid.  Cut tomatoes into small dice.  Set aside.  Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.  Add onion and cook 3 minutes.  Add the reserved tomato juices, tomatoes, oregano, bay leaves, sugar, and salt and pepper.  Reduce to low heat and simmer 30 minutes.

2 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian Tagged With: , , ,

Seafood Fettucini Alfredo

August 18, 2009 By
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/8 lb. butter
  • 12-16 ounces fresh seafood (shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab work well and can be used interchangeably)
  • freshly grated parmesan (Locatelli works well)
  • 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
  • 12 ounces fettucine noodles, cooked to al dente

Poach all seafood in simmering water for about 4 minutes.  Drain well on paper towel.  Place butter in a pan on medium heat.  Add poached seafood, garlic, salt and pepper and cook until warmed through.  Add cream and raise heat to medium-high.  Cook until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.  Add cheese and pasta.  Place on a platter and garnish with parsley.

2 Servings.

Filed Under: Entrees, Italian, Pasta, Seafood Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »