My Big Italian Dinner

Please forgive me, for this overdue post! This was a dinner I cooked for my Dad on Father's Day.  Homemade Lasagna, Italian Sausage, Mozzarella Stuffed Meat Balls and Fresh Garlic Bread.  YUM

I was too busy eating... and didn't take all of the photos I should've, to make this a fantastic post.  But I do have the recipes.

LASAGNA
What you will need:

• 1lb package of lasagna noodles
• Ricotta Cheese
• Mozzerela
• 2 bottles of Ragu sauce (yes, I know we didn't make the sauce)

How to Make it:
Lasagna is very easy to prepare. Preheat your oven 375 degrees
1st: Get a glass dish that is deep. Coat the bottom of the dish with a think layer of sauce.
2nd: Line the bottom layer with noodels
3rd: Cover the noodels will a think coating of sauce
4th: Spread Ricotta over the sauce
5th: Shred and cover the mozzerela for the next layer
6th: Repeat steps 2-5 until you run out of ingredients.
For the top layer of the lasagna, I only layer with sauce, because cheese tends to burn!

Cover the lasagna with tin foil and bake for 2 and 1/2 hours.  I like to cook it the night before, and preheat it on the day you will eat it ;)

STUFFED MEATBALLS
What you will need:

• 1lb of lean meat
• 2 eggs
• Italian Bread Crumbs
• A few slices of fresh bread
• Mozzarella 

How to Make it:
Preheat oven 350
1st: Put the meat, eggs and bread crumbs into a mixing bowl. And mix using hands.
2nd: Cut up the bread and mix it into the meat mixture
3rd: Shape the meatballs into small balls, poke a hole in the center and put the chunk of mozzarella into it. Then cover the hole with the meat.

Place meat balls on baking sheet and cook for an hour.


ITALIAN SAUSAGE
What you will need:

• Package of sausage
• Mini Portabella Mushrooms
• Green Peppers

How to Make it:
Preheat oven 350
1st: On baking sheet place the sausage, mushrooms and chopped green peppers.
2nd. Cover with tin foil and poke foil with holes.

Cook for an 45 min covered. Then uncover and cook for 25 min. 

GARLIC BREAD
What you will need:

• Fresh loaf of Italian Bread
• Butter
• Garlic
• Italian Herbs

How to Make it:
Prepare this right before you are about to sit down for dinner. The oven is already hot!
1st: Slice the bread in nice big slices
2nd: spread butter on one side of bread
3rd: Sprinkle Garlic and Italian Herbs

Place Bread on baking sheet or stoneware. Broil for 8min 

We had extra sauce on hand and ricotta to top of the dishes. This dish takes prep work, and time to cook but is so worth the wait. And my father LOVED it!

Hugs & Dishes, Liz Zania

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

I am not sure if you are like me, but I don't particularly enjoy eating hot food on a hot day.  Salad is a great choice for the summer months.  I had left over chicken from the night before, chicken salad? No way... I want to refresh my taste buds. Buffalo Chicken wrap? ...or how about a Buffalo Chicken Salad?! 

Here is what you need:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken
• Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
• Romain Hearts
• Celery
• Tomato
• Martin's Blue Cheese Dressing

1st: If you haven't already... Bake the Chicken at 350 degrees for an hour.  (Rinse the chicken under water, rub a pinch of salt on both sides. Place in a Ziploc bag, and pour in Bread Crumbs, Shake and Bake)

2nd: Cut up the chicken in chunks and place in a mixing bowl

3rd: Mix in Frank's Red Hot Wing Sauce (to taste)

4th: In seperate serving dishes, fill with romaine, celery and tomatoes

5th: Top with the Buffalo Chicken and Martin's Blue Cheese Dressing

This dish is easy and delicious, and will be sure to be a summertime favorite!
Hugs & Dishes,
Liz Zania