lasagna rolls

much of my inspiration for trying new recipes comes from pinterest and/or google reader. i usually add recipes that i find + like from google reader to pinterest so i can remember which recipes i want to try.

so, about a month ago mindy and i tried out the lasagna rolls while mike and tim worked on fixing tim's sweet ride that was out of commission. i haven't been eating much meat lately so i was pumped to find these spinach lasagna rolls (pinterest). i like this idea because tim likes meat when he can have it, and i don't have to make a full pan of the same type of dish. the lasagna rolls are the perfect alternative to the layered up traditional dish.

the first time around i made 1/2 a pan with organic ground beef, 1/3 with the normal recipe (no meat), and 1/6 without spinach but with meat for mindy lousky. (and the first time around i forgot to save cheese for the top... oops. last nights batch was purely vegetarian. i added 'separated' next to the mozz cheese which would have helped me. fantastic recipe. i hope you try it.

spinach lasagna rolls
recipe slighly adjusted from tasty kitchen

1 package/pound lasagna noodles
1 10oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed
15 ounces ricotta cheese, low fat
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, separated
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4+ cups pasta sauce (we use ragu - 7-herb tomato)

in a large stock pot, bring water to boil. boil the lasagna rolls for about 6 minutes. the noodles need to be slighly firmer than al dente since they'll be baking for a a few minutes once they get their filling.

defrost spinach in microwave on 50% power if not completely thawed yet. squeeze out all the liquid and set spinach aside.

combine ricotta, parmesan and 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, salt, pepper, and spinach. stir well and set to side.

in a 13x9 baking dish,  place 1 cup sauce on the bottom and spread to coat evenly.

drain the lasagna noodles in colander and run cool water over to stop the cooking and make them easier to roll.

lay out a few lasagna noodles at a time. add about 2 tablespoons of the filling and spread out along each noodle.  i spread about 1 T of sauce over the cheese on each noodle before rolling. roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish. repeat until all filling/noodles are rolled up in the pan.

cover the rolls with 1 1/2 cups sauce and cover with foil. bake in 350* oven for about 40 minutes. remove foil, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozz cheese and place back in the oven for another 15 minutes. i placed sliced french bread in the oven at this time and it was perfectly warmed when the lasagna rolls were done.

allow to sit for a couple minutes before serving.

enjoy.

Oreo Brownie Overload

I got the recipe from cookies and cups that I follow through Google Reader and I had added the recipe to my Pinterest. You can get the recipe directly from the printable page for 'dreamy oreo brownies'. I am making slight adjustments in the directions based on how they turned out for me - and how I will do them next time around. See the link for the original recipe.

1 box brownie mix (with ingredients noted on package directions)
1 package Oreo cookies, divided equally in thirds, all coarsely chopped
1/2 tub Cool Whip, thawed
1 8oz package low-fat cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
Original recipe calls for semi sweet chocolate chips and vegetable oil to add a layer of chocolate on top. I will not do this step in my next making of this dessert.
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, fold in 1/3 of the chopped Oreos. Spray non-stick cooking/baking spray on a 13x9 pan. I did 8x8 and they were crazy thick so note my suggestion of 13x9. Dump the batter in the pan and bake according to directions. Do the toothpick check and once clean let the brownies cool completely.

While the brownies cool, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip and 1/3 oreos with spatula. Try not to eat this by the spoonful because it is beyond delicious and totally fantastic. Spread on top of brownies once cooled.

Top with the remaining 1/3 package chopped cookies and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notice the dreamy oreo brownies I made and pictured below have the layer of melted chocolate chips. That is not necessary - it is heavenly and Oreo Brownie overload enough without that. If you must, I would suggest drizzling 1/2 cup of melted chocolate chips over the brownies instead of 1 1/2 cups layered in to the dessert.

Butterscotch Cookies

Here you go, Amy :)


I just saw this no-bake cookie recipe and tried it out today. I haven't tried the finished product yet, but I'm sure they'll be good. I used crunchy PB and added a little more of the rice crispies and omitted the salted peanuts.

please...

something other than an egg needs to be up here.

i'm tempted to remove the picture so i won't have to look at it anymore.

bell pepper egg-in-a-hole

simple and fantastic! this is my new breakfast item to replace a good ol' fried egg.

i saw the idea from a picture on pinterest: 

http://pinterest.com/pin/80831915/

so i cooked up an egg inside a big slice of green pepper last night. it might have overflowed a little but was still  tasty. served on a slice of whole wheat toast.

smores brownies

smores brownies

idea from a martha stewart recipe, i think. i have the printout in the kitchen.

preheat oven at 325. line 8x8 or 9x9 pan with heavy duty foil leaving enough on the edges to lift brownies out after baked. spray with non-sticking baking spray.

graham cracker base

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

6 T butter, melted

pinch of salt

2 T sugar

bake 325 for 18 minutes

brownie layer

brownies from a box, made following directions on box for cake-like brownies

pour 2/3 of mix on graham cracker crust. bake 25 minutes (or until crispy on top and 'done' based on the toothpick method). i used the remaining 1/3 of the mix to make some brownie bites in my mini cupcake pan

marshmallow tops

~4 cups small marshmallows

put broiler on low. adjust level in oven to lower portion of the oven so the marshmallows are about 5 or 6 inches from the broiler. bake for about 2 minutes or until toasty. stare at these puppies while they bake and brown! take them out if they are getting too toasted and/or bubbly. 

remove brownies from pan and place on cooling rack using the foil 'handles'. peel the foil away from the marshmallows to make for easier cutting after completely cool. 

Oreo Cheesecake

I just made THIS oreo cheesecake recipe. YUM. I don't know how she made those darling, ridiculously perfect mini cheesecakes that are pictured, but I just made mine in a pie tin. It is definitely heaping.