Photo and Recipe From: Back to the Cutting Board

Recipe Source: Cookling Light Complete Cookbook

This lasagna recipe sounds amazing. I’m always looking for variations on the all too typical pasta and tomato sauce dish, and this recipe is the perfect solution.

Spring the recipe!

Ingredients
8 uncooked lasagna noodles
4 tsp. olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 (8 oz.) package sliced mushrooms (I left these out)
1 (6 oz.) package fresh baby spinach
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
4 tbsp. fresh basil, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Instructions
Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and gently rinse with cold water.

While the noodles are cooking, prepare the sauce. Put all ingredients for the sauce in a blender and process until smooth. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion, mushrooms, spinach and garlic for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in cheeses, 2 tbsp. basil, salt and crushed red pepper.

Place the cooked noodles on a flat surface and spread 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on top of each noodle. Roll up each noodle and place seam side down in a shallow 2 quart microwave-safe dish. Pour 1/4 sauce over each roll.

Cover dish with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tbsp. of basil.

Quick Tip: Make fruit-infused ice cubes from Lifehacker.

“Ice cubes enhanced in a variety of ways, such as making them out of juice or encasing a fruit complementary to the liquid surrounding it… Perhaps not practical for everyday use, garnished ice cubes can still add flavor and flair to drinks at your next summertime party.”

This creative idea is great for adding pizazz to drinks even in the winter! Why not spice up a dinner party with these great drink recipes:

Sparkling strawberry lemonade Spring the recipe!
Spiked peach iced tea Spring the recipe!

Nothing beats pesto made from fresh-picked basil.  But, in the winter I often need to improvise with other green vegetables.  It turns out that I like spinach pesto so much, I’m going to make it year round.  Plus, spinach doesn’t go brown like basil, so you can make a big batch & keep it in your fridge for up to a week.

Spring the recipe!

Ingredients
3 cups of raw spinach, packed tight
1/2 cup raw hazelnuts (walnuts are fine, too)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp honey
juice from 1/2 lemon (optional)
fresh ground salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
In a food processor, combine nuts, cheese, garlic & honey. Pulse until they make a paste. Add spinach, pulse a few times. Then slowly add olive oil until it’s a creamy consistency – but small chunks of spinach are fine. Lastly, add salt & pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Serve over your favorite pasta. I usually cook the pasta, then toss the pesto in at the last minute.

Does making pesto with spinach simplify my life? Sure does.