Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Is Company Coming? Quick, Fancy, Petite Lasagnas

How cute are these petite lasagnas?   

Yep, the first time I made these, one of my offspring innocently asked who we were having over for dinner.  Apparently, these were a dead giveaway. 

No, no one was coming over.  I felt a bit like Frankie Heck on The Middle.

I invite you to impress your family, too. 

Quick enough for a weekday meal?  I think so.  Serve with a green salad and some garlic bread and you're all set.


Petite Lasagnas


Petite Lasagnas
adapted from here

12 oz raw ground turkey or beef, browned with onion
1 jar of your your fave pasta sauce
1 1/2 c skim ricotta cheese or cottage cheese or a mixture
1 t basil
1 t oregano
24 small square wonton papers (found near the tofu in most stores)
1 1/2 c mozzarella cheese (or an Italian mixture of cheeses)

Mix the meat and the pasta sauce together.  Then, in a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the spices in a bowl. 

Coat a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.  Place a wonton paper in each muffin cup, making sure to press into the edges. 

Use half of the meat sauce mixture and distribute evenly among the 12 cups.  Then use half of the ricotta cheese mixture and place on top of the meat mixture.  Put a large spoonful of mozzarella cheese on top of each.

Place another wonton paper in each cup, making sure to press down lightly into the edges.

Repeat layers of meat sauce and both cheeses, ending with mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cheese has melted.  

* If you have one of those larger muffin pans, this will make six quasi-petite lasagnas.  Use larger wonton paper or an extra small one in the bottom of each and position to form the base.
* Brown your meat ahead of time and save a prep step.


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Holiday Wine Picks

All of a sudden, the holiday season is here.  Why does it sneak up every year?  Kind of like I wanted to write this post a week ago - ugh.

Family gatherings, parties, dinners.  What to serve.  What to bring to share.  What to bring for a host/hostess gift. 

If wine is an option, I've got a couple of suggestions.  We're primarily red wine drinkers, so that's what is recommended here.  This list is budget friendly (all under $10), but provides choices with outstanding value.


Yellowtail  Shiraz
Australia
The "go-to" at our house.  Fruity and simple and goes with everything.


Alice White Shiraz
Australia
Described as sweet & bold with a hint of cherry and plum.  Has a smooth finish.




El Prado
Spain  
70% Tempranillo and 30% Cabernet
Simple, light bodied with a hint of raspberry and blackberry.





 

Yellowtail Sangria
Australia  
Taste the citrus.  Float some fruit in it and serve with tacos or burritos.
               
Mallee Point Shiraz
Australia
Holds its own with spicy foods or strong cheese.  Full bodied.






All of these were purchased at Total Wine and available at other retailers.