Wednesday, July 21, 2010

HAZY, DAISY, LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER ~ 'SIMPLE SUPPER' LAZY LASAGNA

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."
~ Sam Keen

SHASTA DAISY
(Leucanthemum)

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LAZY LASAGNA
~ Stressless meal for long summer days ... double for large group
(adapted from Sara Moulton's Ten-Minute Lasagna)
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1 bag refrigerator or unfrozen large spinach ravioli
(Costco has them in a double pack, or use regular large cheese ravioli)
1 (26-oz.) jar favorite tomato basil or favorite pasta sauce
1 (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (12 oz.) bag shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 Tbsp. basil

  • Heat oven to 350º.
  • Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 1/3 of sauce over bottom of pan. Arrange 1/2 of the ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with 1/2 of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and remaining sauce and cheese. Sprinkle with basil.
  • Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more or until bubbly. Let rest a bit before serving. (6 servings) Note: Serve with crusty herb bread and crunchy green salad
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HERB BREAD

4-6 mini-loaves (or 1 large loaf) crusty bread

1 - 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

1 tsp. cracked black pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. rosemary

1 tsp. parsley


Melt butter in saucepan. Add pepper, garlic powder and herbs. Slice bread diagonally but not completely through. Brush herb butter between slits and over top. Bake in 350-degree over for 20 minutes.



20 comments:

  1. Dear Joey, I SIMPLY adore spinach and just wish that I could translate your lasagna receipt for my cook in BUdapest. Although where she would find frozen [or even chilled ] ravioli in this city of national shortages I have no idea.

    Now, the bread I have more confidence in achieving, especially as the starting point is a loaf!!

    As for the Shasta daisies...I could not be without them.

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  2. Hey Joey,


    I just wanted you to know I added your blog to the soon to be launched North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association blog roll for NC Blogs!

    http://www.tarheelgardening.com/wordpress/

    I also wanted to make sure you received my new link for Gardening With Confidence's blog

    www.gardeningwithconfidence.com/blog.

    Thanks!

    I hope you are doing well!

    H.

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  3. I love daisies..."there such a friendly flower" (name the movie).

    Your easy lasagna sounds similar to my easy Tortellini with Pomodoro sauce. A jar of this...and jar of that some pre-made pasta a little cheese and Whala...dinner. Always good to have a few of these on hand.

    I just joined a Google group for Michigan Food Bloggers. Let me know if you might want to join as well and I'll send you an invite.

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  4. Sounds utterly delicious, Joey. Hubby wouldn't eat it with the spinach, but I could make his with normal (boring) raviolis. I quite often make two dishes for supper, Mr. Fussbudget's and mine.

    And the daisies...so cooling even in this heat! Lovely.

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  5. The recipe sounds delish and I adore daisies. Beautiful.

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  6. yum - sure sounds easy too! Great effect on the daisy.

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  7. Delighted to see you back posting, dear Edith. We are blessed to have all of these conveniences (pre-made ravioli, almost as good as homemade) at our fingertips. We take much for granted. I can think of nothing lovelier than sitting beside you for a meal while listening to your rich stories ... sharing a simple slice of bread, with you beside me, would taste divine!

    All set, Helen, and thank you. It's been a joy connecting with you on many levels. You are a gift! All is well as I hope is with you in your many 'adventurous' life adventures :)

    'Please don't eat the daisies', Lindalou (although they are edible)! Thanks for thinking of me but I already have joined (though not active) MFB and get e-mails. Saw that you had joined and meant to mention ... so, now I can welcome you properly. Time is such I can't do it all but know there are many talented Michigan food bloggers out there. Summer especially finds me here, there, and everywhere ... I often wake wondering where I am :)

    Hi jodi ... hey, use plain cheese ravioli and add sautéed mushrooms instead of spinach or whatever Mr. Fussbudget loves (a bit of lobster perhaps)! Simply cheese is good. The idea is to use pre-made ravioli instead of cooked lasagna noodles. The kitchen is like a garden ... endless possibilities! (Enough heat/humidity ... please! What goes around comes around ... did we bitch too much about 'Farch'!)

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  8. Oh, Joey. How did you know I was lazy? These recipes are just perfect for me.

    Aren't daisies the best? I'm in luv with the first photo and would like it framed and hanging on the wall where I could see it every day.

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  9. Joey, this sounds just delicious and is a family favorite. I can't wait to try it especially with the herb bread.

    Eileen

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  10. Very nice work on that first photo - and that quote fits the season perfectly!

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  11. Gorgeous post Joey...that beautifulllll photo is PURE ART...wow..a fave for sure!! Stunning! and oh so yummy...i love spinach..fabulous recipe! You totally rock it in the kitchen and in the garden!
    Kiki~

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  12. Welcome, Meredehuit, and thank you! Both are good :)

    Hi Wendy! Like the workhorse daisy in the garden, this easy recipe works!

    Dear Donna, I have a feeling lazy is not you! Thank you, dear friend for the lovely comment.

    This is a tried and true easy backup, especially at the lake where we can have fun during the day then throw together a 'simple supper' for hungry family/guests.

    Thanks, Rick! My idea is to combine lots of good stuff in a short post.

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  13. Dear Joey, easy Italian-my kind of food. :) Your photo of the daisys is gorgeous! And I especially like the one where they are with the day lily. It's a beautiful combination of colors and textures.

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  14. Thanks, sweet Wendy :)

    Kiki, you are a dear and thank you. I often feel like a rock this hot/humid summer! Your enlightening posts keep me light of spirit.

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  15. Hearing from you made my day, Beckie! We must have been ships crossing in the night on comments. Thank you, dear friend. Do hope your summer is wonderful! So enjoy hearing from both Thelma & Louise, hoping one day to meet.

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  16. Hello my friend, What a lovely post filled with good food, beautiful flowers and a friend's warmth~xxgail

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  17. But, Pumpkin, wouldn't it be a lot easier for me just to buy a frozen lasagna, lol?!And you may be shocked to learn that making real lasagna isn't even that hard for a non-cook! Love the photo!

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  18. Hello, dear Gail. Thank you. Life's garden is filled with wondrous friends ... and you are one!

    Oh Monica, my life was so boring before we met! Frozen lasagna is good and real lasagna easy to make but this is even easier! I don't cut many corners but this is one that doesn't hurt my reputation as a 'real cook' :) So, do you share your lasagna recipe?

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  19. That top shot is very creative and clever. Nice job. Of course your montages are always a treat for the eyes.

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  20. Always a joy to hear from you, thank you, Scott!

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