266/366: Pintember-sagna

Yum.

I think this was the best lasagna that I've made since going gluten free.  And it's an easy one, too.

If you are gluten free, or have bought gluten free lasagna noodles, you know it's a delicate task.  Many of the noodles break before the box is even open.  The ones that don't break in the box, may tear in the pot.

I did quite well boiling today, only two noodles broke in the pot.  Leaving me with about 10 noodles (glory of Gluten Free).

So, I boiled the noodles till they were bendy and very al dente.  Turned off the burner and just let them sit in the water.  I gently removed three noodles and placed them on a clean towel to dry.  The filling was super simple, chopped spinach, ricotta and a couple eggs.

One large scoop of cheese mixture at the end of the noodle, and just roll it up.  I had three or so turns of the noodle on each roll.  (I didn't spread the cheese the length of the noodle, nor did I add sauce as the inspiration post below shows.)

I placed them in a baking dish, with some sauce in the bottom.  Repeat with all the noodles and top with sauce.  Then top that with mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until cheese on top is golden brown and crispy.

This is easy to serve, doesn't seem to fall like my lasagna usually does and you get a lot of noodle in each bite.  That's what I like the best about this lasagna style.  These would freeze well, too, in small portions ready to be reheated.

And the best part?  I didn't hear, "You are the worst cook ever!"  That is a success in my book.

Here is the original inspiration post:

Source: cookingclassy.blogspot.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Saturday Morning Breakfast Tacos

In 2007, I went on the South Beach Diet to lose my baby weight.  I liked the diet, it worked for a bit, but me and diets just don't jive.  We are like oil and water, you can get them to blend, but eventually, they separate.

Shortly after that diet, I was visiting my brother in Madison and he served some fantastic eggs (I think breakfast is his best meal).  Within 40 minutes of eating those eggs, I had severe stomach pain. More pain than any gluten reaction I've had.  It was gross. 

I thought it was a gluten reaction.  Perhaps I had some toast crumbs on my plate?  A couple days after that, I had another egg.  And another episode of severe pain.  Then, I knew.  Eggs.  Perhaps I overdosed on the South Beach diet where an egg for breakfast was my number one meal.  I stayed away from eggs for many years.  Seven years, to be exact.  I would have foods that had eggs cooked into them like cookies or cakes or meatloaf.  It was more the egg that you can visibly see that I stopped eating.  I even stopped eating a gluten free fried rice because of the quantity of egg.

Then this March, something came over me.  I felt like the egg allergy was suffocating me in a way that I couldn't handle.  I mean, I already deal with the gluten free dietary needs, and I don't want to have to deal with egg anymore.  So, I had a couple bits of quiche.

Then a couple more.  That was the day that I'll remember for a long while.  My body has succumbed to my mind and heart.  Thanks, body!

I've been eating eggs ever since...just like the ones above.   This is my "Breakfast Garbage Taco".  All the leftovers in the fridge.  Crumbled up sausage meatballs; last half of zucchini; and cheese on a corn tortilla.  I know the photo doesn't look entirely appetizing, but let me tell you...delicious! 

The Food For The Fattie In You!!!

The Food For The Fattie In You!!!

This is so disgusting. What have we done to ourselves that a company thinks this will sell?

What have we done to ourselves that people will buy this?

Maybe being gluten free has tainted me in someway to anything fried, but by golly this is gross!