Monday, January 16, 2012

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Roll-ups with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Roll-ups with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce




I absolutely loved everything about this dish. The Gorgonzola cream sauce had such a wonderful creamy, cheesy texture that had a bit of a salty kick to it but it wasn’t overpowering enough as it was perfectly balanced with the spinach and mushroom filling within the rolls. It was very simple to make and I especially enjoyed rolling them up as it became a work of art for me. I’ll be sure to make this again and maybe add some pancetta into the mixture. Mmmmm.

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Roll-ups with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (adapted from Rachel Ray)

Yields 3-4 servings

  • 16 cremini caps, finely chopped in food processor
  • 2 small yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry (I used a 6-ounce package of fresh spinach)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or the equivalent of freshly grated
  • 2 cups ricotta
  • 8-10 curly edge lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente (12 minutes)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 8 ounces Gorgonzola, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Saute mushrooms, chopped onions, and garlic until mushrooms give off their juices and darken and onions are tender, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper (the salt will help draw water out of the vegetables as they cook).





Add dry chopped spinach and heat through for 1 minute. Adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg.



Add ricotta and stir into mixture to heat cheese through, 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat but leave in the warm skillet.



Heat broth in a small saucepan over medium heat. Melt Gorgonzola into broth and bring liquid to a bubble.



Stir in cream and thicken sauce, about 2 minutes.



Place cooked lasagna noodles on a large work surface or cutting board. Spread lasagna noodles with a layer of spinach-mushroom filling.



Roll up pasta and arrange the bundles in a shallow casserole dish.



Pour warm sauce over roll-ups and top with mozzarella.



Place into oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Best Chocolate chip cookies


I know that we all have "the best chocolate chip" cookie recipe, but this one by far takes the cake. That being said they are a bit more work than a tradition recipe.
required :
1c butter melted
1tsp powder
1tsp soda
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1c sugar
1c brown sugar
1/2 bar or cream cheese
1/2tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
4oz bar of chocolate grated
2c flour
12oz chocolate chips
1/2 bag toffee bits
3c oats blended to chunky flour in blender


Cream together :
1c butter melted
1tsp powder
1tsp soda
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1c sugar
1c brown sugar
1/2 bar or cream cheese
1/2tsp cinnamon
2 eggs



then fold in grated chocolate bar, add your oats and flour.



last add your chocolate chips and your toffee bits.



chill dough for 30-60 min

bake 375 degrees for 10-11 min.