Day 29: Lasagna

Lasagna, take two! Mom called this morning and said she had the large can of tomatoes I was missing last night and that I could pick them up from her rather than lug both kids into the Jewel for just one item. So, after a fantastic play date with the McLear ladies, I put the kids in the car and headed to grandma's house...a mile away. She wasn't home, but the tomatoes were waiting for me by the door. Much faster than going to the Jewel and even better Austin fell asleep in the car on the way home, made the transfer, and stayed asleep for almost 2 hours. SWEET!!! Peyton and I folded a shitload of laundry and began the sauce for the lasagna during his nap time.

Mom's lasagna is probably my second favorite dish she makes. My favorite, favorite being stuffed cabbage. I emphasize mom's because when I make her recipe it doesn't taste the same EVER. I actually don't even think I have come close to replicating it all the times I've tried. I use 80 % lean; I don't measure the spices; I buy the block of mozzarella rather than pre-sliced; and I cook my noodles prior to baking. I follow mom's process exactly, but yet I never get her results. I was determined to make my best lasagna yet tonight. There are only two days left of the challenge, and I want to go out with a bang or at least a high rating.

News flash: Mom came to taste test the lasagna tonight. Look for her rating below. *

Cathi's Lasagna
Sauce:
1 1/2 lbs ground beef(80%)-salt/pepper it.
1 16oz can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 large can tomatoes(whole, diced, diced with garlic/basil)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup onions(fresh or frozen)
1 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Basil
1 teaspoon Salt

Layers:
Mozzarella Cheese
Grated Parmesan
Lasagna noodles

Step 1: Brown meat with onions; drain. I brown in a large sauce pan to save dishes.

Step 2: Add all other ingredients for sauce into pot. If using whole tomatoes, break them up.

Step 3: Cook 1 hr 30 minutes. Stirring often. Keep covered half way.

Step 4: Boil noodles; drain

Step 5: In 9x13 pan, layer lasagna.
Layer 1: Put a thin meat sauce layer on bottom of pan
Layer 2: Noodles, mozz cheese, sprinkled Parmesan, meat sauce
Layer 3:Noodles, mozz cheese, Parmesan, meat sauce
Top with more Parmesan

Step 6: Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Step 7: take it out and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Kitchen Play by Play: Making the sauce is super easy. As I stated above, I really do not measure the spices. I used a large can of tomato paste and instead of whole tomatoes mom gave me a large can of diced tomatoes with garlic and basil. I was very leery of this change. I almost stopped at the Jewel anyway to get plain whole tomatoes convinced that mom was trying to sabotage me. She secretly doesn't want me to make a lasagna as good as hers because then I won't need her to make it for me any more because she loves that I invite myself, my husband and my two kids over for dinner. This is entirely not true(I don't think), but this is what I concocted in my head after picking up the "incorrect" tomatoes. Anyway, the sauce simmers on low for a long time so just make sure you stir often to prevent burning.

I started boiling the water for the noodles about 20 minutes before the sauce was done. While the noodles were boiling I sliced the mozzarella. I use the big square mozzarella brick. I use Frigo brand, but Jewel makes one too. Today my slices were not so good. Some were way thicker than others, but after 29 days no one should be surprised to hear that my knife skills are not up to par. I chose to make two 8 x 8 pans(foil) and freeze one for another time, or we'd be eating lasagna for days. Layering the lasagna was also super easy. I did have to cut some noodles due to my shortened pans, but other than that no real adjustments had to be made. Make sure you let it sit for at least 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven or it will be runny when you cut into it. I served the lasagna with garlic bread and green beans.

The finished product
The Verdict:
Nicole- Yummy, yummy, yummy. Not quite mom's but DEFINITELY my best lasagna to date. Very proud of myself. I give it a 5.

Paul-gives it a 4.5.

Austin- ate it. It's noodles. But he did need to be bribed with garlic bread to get down an extra few bites. He ate all of his green beans. Shocker :)

Cathi (mom)-4.2. "I think that because you divided it, it wasn't as meaty as it could have been." " The sauce had good taste."

* I called to invite her and I'm really glad she came, but I didn't think she would because she ate lunch at 1:30. Once I found out she was coming my heart started to race a little. What if it sucked??? Pressure was on!!!!