Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Freezer Lasagna for Two


Tonight I'm posting something unlike anything I've posted in the last 10 months. You see, as most of you know I have been a vegetarian for almost a year, meaning the recipes containing meat on Espresso and Cream have all but disappeared. What hasn't changed during this time is Joey's love for beef, chicken, pork and the like.

Most of the time when we're together, we find some sort of compromise. When we eat out, the places we frequent are those with options that are both friendly to my diet and appealing to him. Ethnic restaurants are great for that very reason. And when I cook for us, meat is usually a side-dish to whatever meal we are having. A few grilled chicken breasts here, some meat sauce there, a veggie burger for me - a real burger for him.

Fact: During our marriage counseling, when asked what type of food we would be eating as a married couple Joey responded (on his own prompting) "flexitarian." I was so proud.

So even though I may not be eating meat, it is most certainly being consumed by the man I love. That said, I thought that for my upcoming trip I'd fix him something special to keep in the freezer on the nights I'm not around. So, my friends, I give you Freezer Lasagna for Two (aka: Lasagna for Bachelors, Fiancées, and Helpless Husbands).


Freezer Lasagna for Two
(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients
*1 tablespoon olive oil 
*2 shallots, chopped
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 lb. ground pork or beef
*1 tsp. Italian seasoning
*Salt and ground black pepper 
*6 no-boil lasagna noodles
*1 (15-oz.) container whole milk ricotta cheese
*1 large egg, lightly beaten
*1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
*1 1/2 to 2 cups marinara sauce

*2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
*Chopped fresh tomatoes (optional) 

Instructions
*In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add in the shallots and garlic. Cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add in ground pork or beef and cook until browned, stirring frequently and breaking into small pieces. Remove from heat and stir in the Italian seasoning. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
*Lightly grease three miniature disposable loaf pans. Place 1 no-boil lasagna noodle in the bottom of each pan.
*In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese and egg until well combined. Spread some of the ricotta mixture atop each of the noodles in a thin even layer, followed by some of the zucchini, marinara sauce, pork mixture and cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients one more time.
*At this point, you can either cover the lasagnas with aluminum foil and freeze until ready to use. Or, preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lasagna noodles are soft. Top with fresh tomatoes, if desired.
*If you do decide to freeze the lasagnas, thaw them in the refrigerator before use and cook as instructed above.

Happy Cooking!

Madison

6 comments:

Unknown said...

LOL! I love his flexitarian response! Very original! I love all of your recipes! And I wish I was a veg too! I went two years with no cow or pig...but after hearing all of the complaining from other people, I eventually gave back in. I admire you!!!!

Hope you become a follower,
~Romantic Savy

Lauren at KeepItSweet said...

This is a great idea! It is so nice that both of you are compromising on the issue, rather than holding onto 1 extreme.

Unknown said...

Love the look of this recipe - and I'm needing to stock up on ideas for when I'm not around to cook for the hubs (he's a little helpless!) Thanks Madison!

ps. I agree with Lauren too - it's awesome that you both are compromising on the issue. You're miles ahead of some married couples. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to see this post! My hubby and I have to compromise at meal time too; so glad to see this impacts other couples. :) I'm totally stealing "flexitarian"; great way to describe it.

Vicky @ eat live spin said...

You are a sweet fiance! I am also a vegetarian and my hubby is a omnivore. He know that because of ethical reasons I will not cook meat. If he wants meat he can cook it himself or order a meat dish at a restaurant or when we order food in. He is actually loving our vegetarian dinner together. And he has also accepted the fact that when we do have kids... they will also be vegetarian until they are old enough to make a rational decision for themselves.

Tanja @ Postmodern Hostess said...

I'm super impressed! Back when I was veg, I didn't want meat anywhere near my kitchen, let alone touch it and cook it! (Though I will confess that I did once cook chicken for my little dogs -- but I wore a dust mask and goggles to cook it. I kid you not!)

Such a testament to your love. :-)

xoxo,
tanja

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