Spinach Chicken Lasagna

For those of you who long for your lasagna, I found a recipe that doesn't use tomatoes! This mouth-watering dish has even been said to be better than the traditional tomato version. I highly suggest trying this lasagna, it will not disappoint.

Spinach Chicken Lasagna

9 lasagna noodles
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup leeks, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the leeks and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently.
• Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly.
• Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken.
• Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles.
• Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

White Trash

This politically incorrect snack will keep bellies full and fingers out of the Christmas dinner. It's quick, easy, irresistible and best of all only uses a few ingredients.

White Trash

2 cups rice chex
1 cup pecan halves
2 cups pretzles
1 cup white chocolate, you can use chips or blocks

• On a large cookie sheet pour the rice chex, pecans and pretzles and mix together.
• Melt the white chocolate.
• Pour the melted white chocolate onto the mixture and mix together. I usually use my hands, but you have to becareful because the white chocolate gets very hot.
• Once the white chocolate is evenly mixed in, let cool.
• Once the white chocolate is hard, serve.

Vanilla Cream Pie

I had a difficult time finding a dessert recipe for a holiday dinner. Everything seems to have fruit someone with interstitial cystitis can't eat or uses chocolate, another enemy. I finally found a simple solution, vanilla cream pie. The pie is pretty easy to make, but the simplicity doesn't reflect in the rich flavor. My only suggestion would be to NOT attempt to whip the meringue by hand.

Vanilla Cream Pie

Makes one pie

Pie Ingredients:
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
3 egg yolks
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Meringue Topping:
3 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 tablespoons sugar

Pie:

• Preheat oven to 325°F
• Whisk the egg yolks in the milk until blended, then combine in a medium saucepan with sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and salt. Mix thoroughly.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Boil, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Pour into pie crust.
• Cool to room temperature. Make meringue while pie is cooling.

Topping:

• Place whites in a copper, stainless steel, or glass bowl. Do NOT use an aluminum bowl as it will reduce the egg-white volume.
• Add cream of tartar to egg whites and whip with a mixer until whites form a soft peak.
• Continue beating, adding sugar gradually, until whites hold a stiff peak.
• Pile lightly on top of pie filling. Spread to edges of crust. Bake in a oven until lightly browned (10-15 minutes).
• Cool before serving.

Herb Sautéed Potatoes

Herb Sautéed Potatoes

Serves 4

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped leek

6 medium size red potatoes
2 tsp. rosemary, finely chopped
Salt and pepper

• Wash and slice potatoes into one inch cubes.
• Combine butter and olive oil in a medium skillet. Melt butter on medium heat.
• Once butter is melted sautée garlic for 5 minutes.
• Add leeks and cook for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Add the potatoes to the skillet and cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until all sides of the slices are golden brown. Stir often.
• Season with rosemary and salt and pepper to taste.

Seared Scallops with Tarragon-Butter Sauce

This simple no-fail recipe is delicious and is sure to impress anyone who tries it. Pair the scallops with veggies for a light, but delectable, meal. The classic French butter sauce can be used with just about anything to enhance the taste.

Seared Scallops with Tarragon-Butter Sauce
Serves 4

1 pound sea scallops
7 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp. finely chopped tarragon

• Sprinkle scallops with 1/4 season each of salt and pepper
• Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then sear scallops, turning once, until golden brown and just cooked though (about 5 minutes total).
• Transfer scallops to a platter.

New URL

First of all I want to say thank you to all my loyal followers. Due to some issues with Gmail and blogger, I had to export all of my posts and delete my old blog and upload my posts to this new URL. Needless to say, it was a pain in the butt. However, it is so much nicer having everything in one place with Gmail as my primary address now (my google reader, e-mail, contacts, etc.). Even though it is a new URL, it is the same blog and I hope you all continue to follow me.

Thanks!

Lauren

Christmas Angels Program

The Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN) organizes an annual program called Christmas Angels during the holidays to help interstitial cystitis patients in financial need. The program matches patients who are struggling with patients that can help them out. The program searches for people who can help others by sending gifts, food, clothing, children's toys or even gift certificates. If you would like more information or you would like to participate in the Christmas Angels Program contact the program coordinator Jaime at: holidayassistance@ic-network.com. The more who volunteer, the more patients in need will be helped.

Visit the IC-Network.com to learn more.