Dinner Out At Home

I really enjoy eating at nice restaurants. Not becauseSpread 1•1/4 c of the Ricotta mix evenly
I don't enjoy cooking, but more to the point, I enjoyover thestrips. Top with 8 c of veggie mix and
good food. I was working in a small Oregon town forspread outevenly. Lay out 9 of the mozzarella slices
a while and found myself hard pressed for someplaceto cover theveggie layer. Repeat this layering. Top
really good to eat. There were plenty of restaurantsthe secondlayer of mozzarella slices with lasagna
in town, just very few with food I would considerstrips andspread them evenly with 1•1/4 c
really delicious. This same situation can be found inricotta cheese mix tofinish.
many small towns all over America.COOKING: Spray a sheet of foil with vegetable
When I'm getting together with friends, or friend assprayand cover the baking dish tightly with the foil,
the case my be, it's always nice to eat dinnner at mysprayedside down. Bake in a preheated 375F oven
house. I am then in control of the evening. No rushingfor aboutan hour or until the internal temp is 165F.
to be in time for my reservation at the restaurant.Removefrom the oven and allow to sit for a few
We are able to enjoy whatever music we findminutes,covered, before cutting and serving.
enjoyable. There is no waiter hovering for his tip. IImmediately priorto serving, heat the reserved
especially enjoy when the waiter wants to ask aboutportion of Alfredo Sauceand ladle the hot sauce over
the meal and my mouth if full of food.each slice of lasagna asit is served.
There is nobody standing around waiting for myAn appetizer is always nice to get the evening
table. I know the food will be good because I knowstarted.
exactly what went into it. We can stay seated atOlive Gardens Fried Mozzarella
the table for as long as we want or better yet,1 pound block of mozzarella cheese
move the party into the living room. (Even better on2 eggs, beaten
a rainy night)1/4 cup water
I thought it would be fun to pass along the makings1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs
of a truly great dinner, assuming Italian is a meal of1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
choice. Whatever you do, don't cheapskate on the1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
ingredients. Start with a nice green salad. Have1/2 teaspoon dried basil
perhaps two dressings available. Again, don't2/3 cup flour
cheapskate. A bottle of nice wine is always good.1/3 cup corn starch
Have your dealer assist you with the selection. Also,Slice the block of cheese lengthwise into about 1/2
be sure to have coffee available. Perhaps more theninchsections. Cut each section in half.
one flavor. Now let's get to the heart of the situation.Beat the eggs with water and set aside. Mix the
Olive Garden Lasagnabread crumbs,garlic, oregano, and basil and set aside.
Alfredo Sauce:Blend the flour withcorn starch and set aside.
1/2 lb. sweet or salted butterHeat vegetable oil for deep frying to 350F. Dip
12 oz. heavy creamcheese in flourthen in egg wash and then coat with
Fresh ground white pepperbread crumbs. Place carefullyin hot oil and fry until
1 1/2 cups fresh Parmesan, gratedgolden brown. This should only take amatter of
Ricotta Cheese Mix:seconds, so you need to watch them closely.
1 pint Ricotta cheeseDrain on brown paper bags and serve with your
2 oz. Romano, gratedfavorite pastasauce that has been warmed.
3 oz. Mozzarella, shreddedNo truly great dinner is complete without a totally
2 tbls. green onions, sliceddecadent dessert. Try this on for size.
2 teas. fresh parsley, choppedCracker Barrel Cherry Chocolate Cobbler
1/2 teas. salt1•1/2 cups flour
1/8 teas. black pepper1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teas. dried basil2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teas. dried oregano1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups Alfredo sauce, cooled1/4 cups butter
Vegetable Mix:1 (6 oz.) pkg. Nestle's semi•sweet chocolate
4 cups broccoli floretsmorsels
2 cups carrots, sliced 1/4"1/4 cups milk
4 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced 1/4"1 egg
2 cups red bell peppers, diced1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
1 cup green bell pepper, diced1/2 cups nuts, finely chopped
1 cup yellow onion, dicedPreheat oven to 350F. In large bowl, combine flour,
2 cups zucchini, slicedsugar, bakingpowder, salt and butter; cut with pastry
Lasagna noodlesblender until crumbs aresize of large peas. Melt over
18 slices Mozzarella cheese, 1/2 oz. eachhot (not boiling) water, Nestle'ssemi•sweet
Lay out enough dry lasagna strips in a 9x13 panchocolate morsels. Remove from heat and cool
toensure you have enough to make 3 full layers,slightlyat room temperature (about 5 minutes). Add
withvery little overlap on each layer. Remove themilk and egg to meltedchocolate and mix well. Blend
drystrips and cook according to package instructionschocolate into flour mixture. Spreadcherry pie filling in
untilbarely "al dente" and drain.bottom of 2 quart casserole. Drop chocolatebatter
ALFREDO SAUCE: Heat water to a boil in the bottomrandomly over cherries. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
ofa double boiler. Add butter, cream and pepper toBake at 350 F for 40 • 45 minutes. Serve
thetop pot and heat until butter is completelywarm with heavy cream.
melted,then stir in Parmesan until melted and blended.It is best to have several wheetbarrows available to
Remove top pot and set aside to cool. Dividetransport you from the table to the couch. Also,
thesauce into 2 equal portions. Refrigerate 1 portionhave a prepared statement already written where-by
foruse later.you swear to go on a diet the very next day.
RICOTTA CHEESE MIX: Combine all ingredients inThese recipes come from a fun cookbook I was
abowl and blend thoroughly with a rubber spatula.sent by an internet marketer friend of mine. If you
Setaside at room temp.would enjoy a PDF copy, totally FREE of charge,
VEGETABLES: Combine all veggies and mix well.check out this web site:
ASSEMBLY: Coat the bottom and sides of aBe sure to include the word 'cookbook' on the
9x13baking dish with vegetable spray. Lay outsubject line when you send off for it. Thank you for
cookedlasagna strips (about 4) to cover entirespending a few minutes with me in the kitchen.
bottom.