Lots o' Meat Lasagna

Lasagna is a tricky thing for this family--reason being I have a SPOILED husband who served his mission in Italy and feasted upon pasta perfection.
He says he has never had a lasagna in America that compared to those in Italy.
The problem with me and lasagna is that I reallllly realllly don't like ricotta. I never liked lasagna growing up because of that lumpy icky cheese. I know some families use cottage cheese (even grosser for me...)
So I usually steer clear from lasagna-making. Did I mention that Tom doesn't like ricotta either?
Anyway, I had a major craving for a huge slice of lasagna. I remember seeing a Paula Deen episode a while back when she made a huge lasagna and a huge piece of garlic bread, slapped the slice on the bread and made a lasagna sandwich. As soon as that image fluttered in my mind I knew I need lasagna for dinner.

So I came up with a solution for the icky ricotta...and came up with this combo. Growing up in an Italian household, my sister thinks this recipe is sacrilege, but I think it was pretty darn tasty--and Tom loved it.

For my fake ricotta sauce I used:
4-6 oz of cream cheese
8 oz of sour cream
1 cup of grated parmesean
(I also sauteed peppers, onions and mushrooms and once they cooled, added them to my cream mixture)

My red sauce was a jar of prego mixed with a can of crushed tomatoes, a ton of garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
I added this to 1 lb of browned hamburger meat
and 1 lb of browned crumbled italian sausage.
I let it simmer away for about 30 minutes.

After the noodles were cooked a littler harder than al dente, I began to layer my lasagna.
A little red sauce, noodles, cream sauce, mozzarella, layer of pepperoni (hence the name lots of meat lasagna) , red sauce...and so on and so forth.
Top with a ton of mozzarella, and bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes...when the mozzarella looks golden brown.

I know its not a "traditional" Italian lasagna, but it was like a Supreme Meat Lovers pizza layered in lasagna style....and anything with a ton of meat is always a winner with my hub!

Resolution continued...

Facet #7
An ideal homemaker plans a program or a schedule for each day so that she is the master, rather than the victim of her work.

Facet #8
An ideal homemaker is prepared to perpetuate the good things she learned in her own home and is ever alert to new ideas and hints which will make her work more effective and help her to be an increasingly better homemaker.

Facet #9
An ideal homemaker is consistent in applying the best skills and methods she knows. She has a built in self starter.

Facet #10
An ideal homemaker's activities are well balanced. Though she may be noted for a specialty and devote a major part of her time to one particular phase, she doesnt spend all of her time cooking, nor does she concentrate just on sewing, or on cleaning or on reading, or on outside interests. She reaches out to include in her life stimulating projects which serve as an incentive to her.

Facet #11
An ideal homemaker is able to transform four walls into a home by creating both spiritual and physical beauty therein.

Facet #12
She will be ideal in her role as homemaker, not only because of the countless current values, but because her example and teachings will live at least another generation through her children.

Facet #13
An ideal homemaker will encourage family traditions to add color and depth to the great picture she is painting. Instead of her home being just a "short order house" it will be a hallowed place where children learn lifes great lessons, gain proper values, and build memories which will enrich their lives and help determine their destinies.

Facet #14
An ideal homemaker exercises patience, understanding and imperturbability* unless controlled anger and reasonable discipline are justified. She will do her best to take those occasional "bad days" when everything seems to go wrong in her stride, realizing that she needs some valleys in order to appreciate the mountains.
*adjective incapable of being upset or agitated; not easily excited; calm: imperturbable composure. (had to look that one up!)

Facet #15
An ideal homemaker is the type of companion and wife who merits the appreciation and cooperation of her husband and helps him want to do his part well as a husband, father and provider.

The Art of Homemaking

As many of you know, Sister Daryl Hooles homemaking books are only second to my scriptures. I cherish every word this wonderful woman has ever written! I have had selections of her books in blog entries last year, but this year I thought I'd share with you the 20 facets of an ideal homemaker. All 20 are my new years resolution.
Oh, I forgot to mention that even though I've read this book (and later variations) several times, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it more than anything...and my very kind and generous sister jessie sent me a PERFECT CONDITION FIRST EDITION of the book (1962) SIGNED!!! by Sister Hoole. THANNNNK YOU JESSSSSSSSSIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Daryl Hoole has written and lectured extensively on home management and family living. She authored six books, including the long-term, best-selling The Art of Homemaking. Recently her new book The Ultimate Career — The Art of Homemaking for Today was published and is being enthusiastically received. She has been in demand as a speaker for women’s groups throughout the United States and Canada and has spoken at Education Weeks for over twenty-five years. She has served in all the Church auxiliaries and was a member of the Primary General Board. She fulfilled two missions to The Netherlands, once when her father was mission president and later when her husband presided over that mission. In addition, she and her husband recently served a third mission in Asia as area welfare-humanitarian administrators, based in Hong Kong. Daryl and her husband, Hendricus (Hank), are the parents of eight living children and the grandparents of thirty-six. She currently serves with her husband as a member of the Young Single Adult Coordinating Council of the Bonneville Region in the Salt Lake City area.


Here are the first FIVE facets along with a little explanation:

"I like to think of an ideal homemaker as a diamond, perfectly cut so as to bring out contless beautiful highlights. Just as each diamond is cut a little differently in order to make many facets, so is each homemaker a distinct individual with her own special traits and talents. But in both diamonds and homemakers, certain qualities must be present if each is to sparkle brilliantly and thereby be valued and cherished."

Facet #1
An ideal homemaker is lovely to look at and lovely to be around. She has a wholesome attitude and a pleasing appearance. She has the courage to be happy and strives to live above the grievous faults of moodiness, sulkiness and complaining. She is gracious and thoughtful and is consequently adored by her family and admired by all who know her.

Facet #2
An ideal homemaker is ambitious and enthusiastic through application of the law that how one feels emotionally greatly determines how she feels physically.

Facet #3
An ideal homemaker is devoted to the great career in which she is engaged. She is a professional in her field by being a homemaker everyday and lettiner her devotion and sense of duty, rather than her moods, dominate her.

Facet #4
An ideal homemaker is skilled in tasks required to manage a home. She keeps her house neat and attractive; she prepares tasty meals and serves them on time; she is able to turn out a gleaming white wash; and she keeps family members clothes well mended and pressed.

Facet #5
An ideal homemaker makes the best use of her time and energy by being efficient so that she is able not only to keep up with her housework, but sheis able to be a companion to her husband and a friend and teacher to her children. She is also able to pursue some personal interests which further contribute to her happiness and development

and I know I only said the first 5, but Facet 6 is one of my favorites....

Facet #6
An ideal homemaker realizes that many of life's choicest blessings are gained only through hard work and there accepts work as a challenge and an opportunity rather than a burden.

Stay tuned for more facets/resolutions for 2009 :)

*you can also check out sister hoole's website*
http://www.theartofhomemaking.com