Green Lasagna

This is our standard lasagna. I just made it, it's really easy, I promise. Once again, Julie Jordan is to thank.

img via: what to make for dinner

1 quart tomato sauce
1 pound lasagne noodles
2 10-oz. bricks frozen chopped spinach
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
grated parmesan or romano cheese

If you're not using no-cook noodles, cook them according to the package. Thaw and squeeze the spinach. Add the eggs and nutmeg and mix well. In a glass or ceramic baking dish, make layer: tomato sauce, noodles, spinach mixture, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. I can usually get 3 or 4 layers, starting with a really thin layer of sauce under the first noodles. Try to finish with mozzarella or parmesan as the top layer. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Let sit at least 5 minutes before serving.

Birthday Party Stuffed Mushrooms

There's a very good reason "Wings of Life" is at the top of our cookbook list. Another time-intensive-but-totally-worth-it hippie food.

img via: a farm girl's dabbles

2 pounds large white mushrooms
3-4 cloves garlic
1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, scallions or cilantro
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper
paprika

Gently wash the mushrooms, then pull the stems out of the caps. Put the caps upsidedown into a greased baking pan, packed close together so they can't roll around, and set them aside for now.

Chop the stems and fry them in olive oil. Add garlic and fry a little more. Remove from heat and add everything else: bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, and cheeses. Add a bit of salt and fresh black pepper. Mix together well and fill each mushroom cap with the mixture. (My father, being the practical man that he is, has determined that this is easiest to do with a pastry bag, aka a ziplock bag with one corner cut off.)

Sprinkle with paprika and more parmesan cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Best Guacamole Ever

It's true. More yummy goodness from Ms. Julie Jordan.

img via: 30 Pounds of Apples

1 ripe avocado
1/4 medium tomato
1/4 small onion
1 T sour cream or ricotta cheese
1/2 t ground cumin
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 t salt (or less)
a little lemon or lime juice

Finely chop the tomato and mince the onion. Press or mince the garlic. Mash everything together, then beat until fluffy.