iKidNY » Winter

Back-To-School Recipe – Classic Lasagna (healthy style)

Lara — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:14:37 +0000

Our family loves lasagna almost as much as we like to eat healthy. So, in honor of back-to-school I whipped up my Classic Healthy Lasagna. It all started with a recipe from the “Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook” by Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford, a terrific recipe book that we were given for our wedding almost five years ago. The health nuts that we are, I “adjusted” the recipe to suit our family’s needs and found what we think is the perfect combination of rich and delicious while still being healthy. It’s a great freeze dish – put it in individual tupperware containers, date it and throw it in the freezer. It’s great to heat up for a busy weeknight or perfect for a new mom to keep in the fridge. Before I had my baby, I froze about 20 pieces and they were a lifesaver in the first few weeks of new parenthood. Try it and let me know what you think (in the comments section below) – you won’t be disappointed!

iKid Healthy Classic Lasagna Recipe

8 ounces ground turkey meat
8 ounces Italian turkey sausage, removed from castings and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 cups (or 52 ounces) marinara sauce (I favor the Fairway brand since they do not use sugar – I suggest either making your own or else buying a fresh marinara preferably with no or low sugar)
8 ounces low fat ricotta cheese
8 ounces low fat cream cheese at room temperature
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, preferably parmigiano reggiano
1 package (8 ounces: 12 sheets) whole wheat lasagna noodles (preferably no boil)
1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.

Combine the ground turkey and turkey sausage in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Season with the kosher salt and 1/4 tsp. of the pepper. Cook until the meat is lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a medium bowl. Add the marinara sauce to the meat and stir to combine. Set meat sauce aside.

Mix the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. Season with the remaining 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper. Set aside.

Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with 1 cup of the meat sauce. Arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles (3 sheets) on top of the sauce. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce evenly on top. Add half of the cheese mixture by spoonfuls evenly over the meat sauce, then scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce, the remaining cheese mixture, and the remaining basil. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce, and a final layer of lasagna noodles. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Cut into 9 or 12 pieces and enjoy!

Twas The Day Before Christmas

Lara — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:43:05 +0000

Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the city,
The ornaments and decorations sure looked pretty.
The sun was out, the sky was clear,
Mommy and baby set out for places with holiday cheer.

They started at FAO Schwarz and were tempted by the toys,
The over-sized piano, the stuffed bears, oh boy.
Then department store window displays, what fun,
Each more elaborate than the previous one.

On to Rock Center to see its gargantuan tree,
My how baby would have shouted with glee!
But along the way, before the tree he did meet,
From all the hullabaloo he fell fast, fast asleep.

Do it again tomorrow, well they just might,
Happy holidays to all and to all a good night.

Walking in a Harlem Wonderland!

Lara — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:39:12 +0000

Today, my 16 month-old son, enjoyed his very first Harlem snowfall. He woke up to our beautiful Hamilton Heights neighborhood covered in SNOW! Right away, he learned to say “no”, his version of “snow”. Would you like to go out in the snow, Caleb? “No”, he retorted!
We wrapped him up in his snow suit and took to the streets. It was time to explore this Harlem wonderland!

We made our way to a nearby park.

We sized up the snow. Hmmm this stuff is interesting… And cold!

We huddled together to keep warm…

We admired City College’s Tudor-style campus built in 1847 and wondered what Harlem looked like then.

We took in some of the glorious churches.

We walked along Convent Avenue, one of THE most stunning blocks in all of New York.

We stopped to say hello to a neighborhood dog who also was enjoying the snow.

We admired the still-fresh snow as we made our way back home.

Reminded why we moved to Harlem, we came in from the “no”, ready for some hot cocoa!