Cookies and Cups

 

Cooking is an experience that involves all the senses. The sounds of sizzling oil, the aroma of a simmering sauce, the bright colors of fresh vegetables and the taste of carefully seasoned food can transport you to a world of culinary delights. When I am in the kitchen, I am in my happy place.

My favorite dish to cook is a classic lasagna. I start by sautéing garlic and onions until they are translucent and then adding lean ground beef. Once the beef is browned, I add in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and a few pinches of sugar to balance out the acidity. I let the sauce simmer on low heat for an hour which allows the flavors to meld together.

In the meantime, I cook the lasagna noodles to al dente in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Once the noodles are cooked, I drain them and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Next, I combine ricotta cheese with an egg, grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. I also sauté a large bunch of spinach until it wilts and then chop it coarsely.

Now it is time to build the lasagna. I spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish and then add a layer of lasagna noodles. On top of the noodles, I spread a layer of the ricotta mixture, followed by a layer of spinach and then a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. I repeat the layers until the baking dish is full.

The lasagna bakes in the oven for about 45 minutes until it is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown. I let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges and serving.

I love the process of cooking this dish - from sautéing the garlic to layering the noodles, cheese and spinach. It is a labor of love that is truly worth the effort. When I take a bite of my lasagna, I am transported to Italy where I can taste the fresh ingredients and the love that I put into the dish.