Lasagne Spinach Roll Ups

I don't like to cook on Fridays.  When I taught, the weekend started as soon as school was out on Friday, and I didn't want to do any work again until Sunday evening.  When B was little, we would go out a lot for pizza, and that was always a joyful and enjoyable start to the weekend.  

As B got bigger and busier, we would order pizza in for dinner on Fridays.  It was quick and good, and we could relax.

Now that I'm retired, I don't have an excuse for not cooking on Fridays, so I like to find easy and good recipes.  Here is a good recipe for lasagne roll ups from Giada.  It came together really easily, so today still feels like Friday.  It is lent, so I skipped the meat, but here is what it looks like:

Floral Arrangements

Before the holiday, I took a flower arranging class at our local garden center.  It went for 4 weeks, and we made some nice things.  I enjoyed it, so I signed up for a flower arranging class.  It lasts for three weeks.

I'm kind of surprised, because traditionally I'm very cerebral.  In retirement, however, I am more hands-on and action oriented.

It is a true pleasure to walk in the door after being outside in 0 degree weather and to see such colorful arrangements on the table:

Fabulous Lentil Soup

This recipe is fabulous.  I'm so glad I tried it on Ash Wednesday.

I knew Giada would have a good Italian-tasting lentil soup, but it tasted better than I thought.  It was so easy, too.

This soup will go on regular rotation, particularly when we are eating vegetarian.  I used orzo for the pasta, and that tasted really good.  I really like Trader Joe's lentils, and that is what I used.  Quick, easy, tasty, and good for you!  Yay, Giada!  Yay, Lentil soup!

Orzo

Sometimes I like the sweetness of orzo rather than rice.  I really enjoy orzo in soups, and it makes a good side or lunch dish.  I found this recipe in the Post Gazette, and we have enjoyed it:

Orzo with Saffron and Fennel

1 t saffron threads
1 small red onion
2 T olive oil
1 fennel bulb, chopped
8 oz orzo
2 c vegie broth, heated
handful of walnuts or pecans

Soften saffron in 1 T hot water, set aside.
Peel and chop the onion.  Heat olive oil in a medium sauté pan, and add chopped onion with a spoonful of water.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  Add the chopped fennel and sauté for 3 more minutes.

Add orzo, sauté for 4 minutes.

Cover everything with the hot broth, season with salt and pepper, and stir in saffron.  Cook about 10 or 12 minutes.  Garnish with fennel leaves and chopped nuts.

Here is what it looks like before the garnish:

Mexican Wedding Cookies

My sister recommended a recipe from Relish Magazine for Mexican Wedding Cookies.  I like the taste of chocolate with the nuts in these cookies, so I like these.  I may end up with too much chocolate, though, and have to take these back to just nuts.  For now, though, it is a really good cookie.  I just have to figure a way to make sure they look more evenly sugared.  Here is how they look.

Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Chip Mexican Wedding Cookies

1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c granulated sugar
2 t vanilla
2 c all purpose flour
1/2 t salt
1 c finely chopped toasted pecans
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 c powdered sugar

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar for 3 minutes.  Beat in vanilla, and Add flour and salt.  Add pecans and chocolate chips, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 and cover baking sheet with parchment.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Place balls on pans, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.  Bake 15 to 18 minutes.

Roll in powdered sugar when removed from oven, and again when totally cool.  Makes 3 dozen.
(I got 42 cookies)

Cauliflower Parmesan

I tried this recipe for Cauliflower Parmesan today, and it was delicious.  I thought it would take longer, or be a little sloppier to make, but it didn't take too much time.  It looked really nice when it was done, and one small cauliflower really made a lot.

Box of treats

I sent a box of treats to NY, and they were appreciated.

The box included macaroons, the lemon thumbprints from TL, nutella biscotti, brownie bites with rolos, and the sugar cookies with rose icing.  We are getting off to a good start.  The macaroons were the ones that were a little sticky with the sweetened condensed milk, but they were a hit.