| Italy is know for their amazing buildings, Roman | | | | - 1/2 cup water |
| Catholic heritage and their outstanding dishes. I | | | | - 2 tablespoons white sugar |
| personally have never tasted any Italian dish that I did | | | | - 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves |
| not truly enjoy. Italy uses many pastas in and/or with | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds |
| their main dishes. Plenty of sauces and tongue tingling | | | | - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning |
| spices. Not hot, such as Spanish or Indian food, but full | | | | - 1 tablespoon salt |
| of flavour. A list of spices to include in your Italian | | | | - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper |
| recipes may include: | | | | - 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley |
| 1. Oregano | | | | - 12 lasagna noodles |
| 2. Black Pepper | | | | - 16 ounces ricotta cheese |
| 3. Sea Salt | | | | - 1 egg |
| 4. Saffron | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| 5. Basil | | | | - 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced |
| 6. Bell Pepper | | | | - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions: |
| 7. Parsley | | | | |
| 8. Rosemary | | | | 1. Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over |
| 9. Garlic | | | | medium heat in a Dutch oven until well browned. Stir in |
| Many of the herbs and spices used in Italian cooking | | | | crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and |
| have healing properties in addition to the great taste. | | | | water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian |
| Now that how I like to stay healthy. Italian recipes add | | | | seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons |
| many vegetables such as: zucchini, egg plants and | | | | parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, |
| onions which all also have healing properties of their | | | | occasionally stirring. |
| own. | | | | 2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. |
| Adding natural herbs and spices to your dishes adds | | | | Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 |
| to the cleansing of your liver and assists with boosting | | | | minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a |
| your thyroid. Italian cooking is truly a healthy way of | | | | mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, |
| cooking. The Italian cooking style is full of love and | | | | remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. |
| passion for cooking. It takes a lot of time patience due | | | | 3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). |
| to the abundance of ingredients included in these | | | | 4. Start by spreading 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the |
| meals. Sure, you can cheat and take short cuts, but | | | | bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles |
| you know ... you can tell tell the difference when you | | | | lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of |
| take the time to make it right. | | | | the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of |
| Now take the time and cook your own Italian dish for | | | | mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat |
| dinner and make your family happy. | | | | sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup |
| Best Italian Lasagna | | | | Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with |
| Ingredients: | | | | remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover |
| - 1 pound sweet Italian sausage | | | | with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with |
| - 3/4 pound lean ground beef | | | | cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch |
| - 1/2 cup minced onion | | | | the cheese. |
| - 2 cloves garlic, crushed | | | | 5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, |
| - 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes | | | | and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes |
| - 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste | | | | before serving. Don't forget the garlic toast! |
| - 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce | | | | |