Service Meals--The Worlds Best Lasagna Recipe

Yesterday, I spent several hours in the kitchen cooking dinner for 3 different families.  They were my neighbors (a huge family of 11, who just had a baby), my husband's sister and her family (who recently moved), and my family, too.  I love cooking for other people and I love serving others with food.  Don't get me wrong, cooking for that many people is stressful and not easy.  But it gets easier the more you do it.
I love taking dinner to sick friends, or taking dinner to new moms!  This time, I decided to cook Lasagna.  I have been making "The Worlds Best Lasagna" from allrecipes.com for several years now and it is my go-to Lasagna recipe.  I've tried many others but this is BY FAR my favorite. Here are a few tips and tricks...

1.  I omit the fennel--I am not a big fan plus most Italian sausage already has plenty, why add more?
2. Splurge on a good Sausage--mine was still only $2.99/lb at Harmon's, a local grocer who makes over 20 different kinds of sausage
3. Try a Hot Italian sausage for a little SPICE and HEAT
4.  Doubling the sauce recipe makes 3 generous Lasagnas-- I made four out of this but ran out before I could completely make the 4th Lasagna(ours) but lucky for me nobody noticed
5. I substitute Sour cream for the Ricotta Cheese + Egg mixture.  I hate the texture of Ricotta, you can also substitute with Cottage Cheese but I like the creaminess and slightly tangy flavor of sour cream.  This is a secret from my Aunt Becky, who always made mouth watering Lasagnas.
6. If you are not using fresh mozzarella cheese--Costco has the best price for pre-shredded mozzarella cheese, Sams Club is less expensive for Parmesan Cheese.
7. This Lasagna can be made in advance, make a day ahead and store in the fridge or freeze it for another day.

In addition to the lasagna, I made a huge green salad with tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and pepperoncini peppers and cheese, served with Olive Garden Salad Dressing ($6.98 for two bottles at Sams Club.) I also bought Several loaves of  French Bread, and Ice cream cookie sandwiches from Costco.  If I had more time I would have made the French Bread into Garlic Bread and made homemade cookies.  But who has time for all that on a weeknight?

So try making yourself some mouth watering Lasagna or better yet make 2 and take one to a family who needs it!  It really is easy, a little time consuming, but worth it! and SO much better than the store-bought versions!

What do you make when taking dinner to someone else's family?

"Until we meet again."

 

Sherwin Williams 40% off Sale

Hey all!  It is National Painting Week, and Sherwin Williams 40% off sale starts tomorrow April 19-21, 2013.  If you will be spending over $50 be sure to print off the $10 off $50 coupon that is available on the Sherwin Williams website, you CAN use this in addition to the sales price.  Also all painting supplies are 30% off.

This is my favorite way to buy new colors of paint.  I am always trying new colors but hate spending a ton of money only to find that the color is not quite right!  Sherwin Williams sells sample quarts and with the 40% off they are super cheap at $4-$5 a piece.  This is not the best quality paint but for projects that you will be priming and then sealing it is an inexpensive way to try a bold color at a smaller investment.  Also I always wait for this sale to buy certain painting supplies like, tack cloth and foam rollers.

This is a GREAT sale to jump on if you need paint!

 

Happy National Painting Week!