What a shocker!! Valentine's seems to be all about the foods at my house. Yesterday was spent in the garden, so today is indoors, nursing sore muscles and cooking up a storm. Got the stock pot on early to make chicken stock so Dave can have chicken noodle soup this week. We are having steak and baked potatoes for dinner, because, you know, the D-man loves his meat and potatoes. Then I mixed up some apple bread pudding (one of his favorite desserts). 4 c soft bread cubes 1/2 c raisins 2 apples, peeled and sliced 1 c brown sugar 1/2 c maple syrup 1 3/4 c milk 1/4 c butter 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp vanilla 2 eggs, beaten
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8x8 baking dish (I used individual dishes because it makes it feel more special - but use butter, not the spray).
In a large bowl, combine bread, raisins, and apples.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, milk, syrup, and butter. Heat until butter is melted. Pour over bread mixture in bowl.
Mix eggs, cinnamon and vanilla; pour over bread mixture and stir until blended.
Put mixture into pan(s) and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until center is set and apples are tender.
Into the oven with the bread puddings!!
And then for lunch, I tried a recipe for skillet lasagne - super easy and delicious once tweaked a bit. Definitely a keeper! 3 Tbl olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 onion, chopped 1 lb ground beef 12 oz package lasagne noodles, broken 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 15 oz can / jar tomato sauce 1 c water 3 Tbl basil 3 Tbl oregano 15 oz container ricotta cheese 2 c shredded mozzarella Heat oil in large skillet. Add garlic and onion; saute for 5 minutes Add ground beef and cook until browned (6-8 minutes) Pour 1/2 c water and 1 c of sauce over the meat mixture and stir. Place noodles over meat mixture and top with tomatoes, remaining tomato sauce, basil, oregano and 1/2 c water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella. cover and let stand 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.