HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE LASAGNA ALLA GRANPA ADOLFO

Although lasagna is not my favourite pasta dish, I make it at the request of my family. For my grandsons's baptism parties a couple of years ago, Granpa made the lasagna. Recently, to help out my busy working daughters and a friend, there were a couple of busy weekends in February and March making several pans of lasagna for them. Of course, for the faint of heart you can buy ready made frozen ones or some markets have ones ready to cook. This dish uses a lot of pots, dishes and really messes the kitchen from one end to another. Good thing I have my assistant Barb for clean-up!

There is nothing more tasty than those fresh from the kitchen of any Italian cook.

It is always a good idea to make several pans as this is a very time consuming dish. So with the ingredients gage the number of ingredient portions by the size of a big pan or smaller pans you are using.

INGREDIENTS

 Homemade egg noodle pasta ( eggs, flour, salt to taste).( See my blog on making this item). For the busy cook you can buy the packaged ready for oven strips. Homemade is better.

Ragu Sauce ( see my blog on making this sauce).

Eggs- 6-12 or more depending on the number of pans you are making.

Mozzarella cheese- 1 or 2 packages. Or if you prefer ricotta cheese 1 or 2 containers. Or like some Canadians who use cottage cheese 1 or 2 containers- I would never make a lasagna with it! My preference is always the mozzarella cheese.

Ground beef- 1/2 to 2 lbs- depending on the number of pans.

Bechamel Sauce- milk, flour and 1 spoon or two of ragu sauce for colour.

Salt, pepper to taste.

Garlic cloves- diced to add to the meat or even sprinkle if wanted on the layers.

Parmesean Cheese.

Use your glass pans or there are good tin foil ones at any market or especially your nearest dollar store. Then when giving to another household there is no need to return the pan!

DIRECTIONS

You can make all the ingredients in one day if you chose.

 I like to prepare the egg noodle pasta the previous day. Kneading it well and leaving it in a ball in a bowl in the fridge.

I also like to prepare the ragu sauce the previous day so it is done and ready to go when I want to make the lasagna.

Many cooks will prepare everything in one day. I like to do things in stages.
 
The day you are making the dish, be ready for the process. If needed have a coffee to drink while working.

Boil the eggs in a pot until done. Remove shells when cooled. Chop into little pieces. Set aside

Cook the ground meat in oil with some garlic and parsley added to taste. When finished cooking, drain the oil and pat with a paper towel to remove as much of the grease. My mother used to make the ground beef into little balls which is more time consuming. I just cook the meat quickly- less work, same taste. Set aside.

Of course you can be boiling the eggs and cooking the meat at the same time.

Grate the mozzarella cheese into a bowl. Set aside.

I have my helper Barb who often helps with the chopping of the eggs and grating of the cheese.

Have the number of pans whether glass or tin foil, ready to go on your counter. Have the dishes of prepared items close to the pans. When you start to layer, everything should be handy.

Have your pasta maker on the counter and your bowl of egg noodle ready to shape into long strips of pasta.

In a large pot, fill with water and let it start to boil.

Put some of the ragu sauce in the bottom of each pan.

As you shape the pasta into long strips, put them in the boiling water. You can make several before you start to boil them. As with any noodle pasta the cooking time is very fast.

On the bottom of each pan, put the egg noodle strips.

Now the layering- a meat layer and some sauce, top with egg noodle strip fresh from the water.

If you cook too many strips and place them on top of each other, they may stick together. So it is better to cook, then layer one or two at a time. If the strips are the length of your pan it makes them easier to layer. So make sure you have the strips the length of your pans.

An egg layer- top with egg noodle strip. You can add some sauce to each layer

A cheese layer- top with egg noodle strip.

It's your lasagna so if you want to mix the egg and cheese in one layer, it is okay.

Depending on the depth of your pan you will determine the number of layers needed.

You are very busy taking the cooked noodles from the hot water and layering. So do be careful to use tongs or other kitchen utensils and not to burn yourself.

The lasagna is layered. Put egg noodle strips on top with enough sauce to coat the top and add parmesean cheese.

Recently I started to make a bechamel sauce- put some milk, a little flour in  a pot and boil-  about 10 minutes, stirring constantly until a little brown, add a spoon or two of the sauce to give colour. Now add to the layered lasagna.

I find it makes the lasagna  moister. I used to find others' lasagna a little dry. So now I have my own touch to add to the dish.

Cook at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. I place the pans in the middle of the oven so as not to burn the bottom.

One big pan for a special party or several small pans for several homes or meals, lasagna is always popular. One useful hint- let the lasagna sit before serving. You can serve straight from the oven but if you allow it to sit the ingredients come together better.

If in smaller pans or even one serving portions, you can freeze it for another day.

#howtomakehomemadelasagna#makingeggnoodleforthelasagna#mozerellacheese#freshpansoflasagnaforgoodeating#granpapreparingthelasagna#usingfreshsauceforthelasagna#groundmeatpanfriedisgoodforthelasagna#ragusauceforthelasagna#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

WEEKEND OF LASAGNA MAKING OR HOW TO MAKE LASAGNA

A friend from the Club brought some farm fresh eggs for me to buy. Lovely yolks-big! Fresh egg noodle!  So I decided to make some pans of lasagna for the girls. Ended up with two large pans and made fettuccine with the rest of the home made egg noodle for Barb. Lasagna is so labour intensive, I always say I won't do that again. Plain homemade spaghetti with ragu sauce is my favourite. One of my earlier posts gives all the instructions for a homemade lasagna. Visit it for details.
March 8, 2012- Lasagna alla Granpa Adolfo.

LAMB AND LASAGNA FOR EASTER DINNER-WITH CANASCIONE FOR A TREAT

Barb suggested I make the cooking for Easter dinner easy with an expected crowd of 15! A simple pasta with sauce she said for the first dish.  I chose to be more complicated. So yesterday I decided to make lasagna. Put it in the freezer after completing it to cook it fresh on Sunday. My mother always made a lasagna for Easter so I thought I would  keep the tradition alive. Bedsides all my grandchildren, children, guests, Barb and I like it too!

So it was a busy day with Barb away at a conference. I even had to clean up all the pots and pans as my sous chef was not available.
My family like a variety of meat. But for me lamb is a must. So I bought a lamb roast and chops that I will make with some oven roasted potatoes with rosemary as the seasoning. With the Canadians in the crowd a ham to eat with pineapple slices as well as some chicken breasts and Italian sausages. Remember there is a lot of meat in the sauce I used for the lasagna so if some of the kids do not eat the meat dish they had some in the pasta.

If time I may try to make my canascione treat- a favourite from the Ciociaria region where I was born. A egg noodle shell with an egg, cheese and sausage mixture inside which gets baked in the oven.  Easter a time for good eating. Of course everyone will bring an appetizer and dessert surprise. The kids will enjoy the Easter egg hunt that must occur before dinner. I have not finalised all the vegetables but I will make- peas, rapini for sure though.

Barb likes to make prosciutto on a bread stick as an appetizer for the guys. The kids just like the bread sticks.
For those that are new to this blog- I did write a post on making the lasagna March 2012 and making canascione- April 2012. You can find in in the listings.  For those that read regularly you know how to find the recipes I have written. Happy Easter everyone- remember to thank all the cooks in your family!

#lasangabyadolph#homemadelasagna#canascoinebyadolph#canascionefromlazio#canascioneisaciocariadish#porsciuttoonbreadsticks#lambandpotatoesforeaster#easterisagoodmealwithlamblasagnacanscione#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

EASTER FAVOURITES MEANS SOME CANASCIONE IS ON THE MENU

Easter is 2 weeks away. Since we will be having a gang, the menu will be modified slightly. I like lamb and lasagna at Easter. But there are others who like other foods. So I bought a big ham for the non-lamb lovers. My grandchildren like a variety of foods but a couple love chicken-so some chicken legs and thighs. I am making lasagna for my littlest granddaughter's baptism in May so will have a simple pasta dish this year-maybe homemade fettucine or even some penne. There will be lots of veggies but they are bought closer to the day. My girls usually bring the desserts. Maybe I will make my Italian Canascione- a true dish from my region of Ciociaria. I posted the recipe for this authentic dish April 2012 so do not have to write it again.

There I was sampling the Canascione. I like this photo because I was 2 years younger! Don't tell Barb but I have learned to do some planning and buying for big events. Well the food events anyway!
#canascione#easterdinner#chicken#lasagna#simplepasta#veggies#granpalovestoeat

EASTER MEAL WAS A FAVOURITE OF GRANPA-LAMB LASAGNA CANASCIONE

Mostly he liked it because there was no turkey. 

 Adolph loved to make homemade pasta either spaghetti or lasagna.

Adolph's homemade lasagna was always a hit. His recipe can be found in a link on the sidebar of past posts.

Lamb was marinated with lemon, garlic and rosemary before cooking.

Canascione

Adolph loved making it but he loved eating it more.

His post from April 2012 still receives weekly readers.

#canascione#makingcanascione#adolphlovedcanascione#adolphlovedmakinghomemakelasagna#adolphlovedmakinglambwithpotatoes#rosemary#garlic#lemon#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

EASTER TRADITIONS ARE FAMILY TRADITIONS

 We always included a blend of Canadian and Italian traditions at Easter.

A homemade pasta dish. Could be fresh egg noodles with a ragu sauce or lasagna.

Lamb with rosemary potatoes. Ham with pineapple slices. Sausage. Chicken breasts

A variety of vegetables. Rapini, carrots, corn, veggies and dip

Desserts with a bunny, easter theme.

An egg hunt for the grandchildren. Easter treats and a little money for them.

This year will be no Easter hunt due to COVID lockdown. Not a big gang at the table. Going to one home as I am allowed because I live alone.

Adolph always loved his canascione. Sonya made it for him last year. She has been trying many of her Dad's recipes. He loved it.

This year she is making his homemade lasagna. Natasha is making some cookies and cupcakes.

So like any traditions they change as we go along. But mostly they are connected to family.

We make and eat food that our family members love.

#eastertraditions#cancscione#lamb#hamwithpineapple#lotsofveggiesforafeast#makingItalianfood#makingcanadianfood#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

EASTER PREPARATIONS-MISSING GRANPA'S SPECIAL COOKING

 Adolph loved making Canascione,

His lamb and potatoes were so tasty.

Some years when he made lasagna from scratch, it was so special.

Now I buy a Longos lasagna. I am making ham with pineapple, Italian sausage, chicken breast and legs and a few lamb chops just to have some lamb.

Lots of veggies, salad and desserts. Lots of drinks, beer and wine. I even bought a Mission Hill bottle of wine to remember the folks.

So all the preparation continues.

#easter2026#hamandpineapple#lambwithpotatoes#salad#dessert#wineandbeer#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara

So Easter dinner will just be a simple dinner to be together as family.

GRANPA STOCKS UP ON LONGOS LASAGNA

Okay other people were out buying toilet paper. I was buying Longos Lasagna and sausage for Easter.
It is good through this COVID 19 crisis to be prepared with goods but not to go crazy.

So extra pasta. Some cans of condensed milk in case!! Other canned and frozen goods I usually buy are in the house.

Of course lots of cookies for the grandchildren.
#stockingupfortheCOVID19virus#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#Longoslasagna#italiansausage

EASTER-A BLEND OF CANADIAN AND ITALIAN FOOD

 Granpa loved to make lamb and a pasta dish.

So the tradition of lamb at Easter along with sausage and chicken breasts will continue.

A pasta. Probably Longos  Lasagna.

To decide on what veggies as there are many the family enjoys.

Grocery shopping for the event continues.

Easter. A time of celebration and quiet reflection.

#eastershopping#lambmeals#lasagna#fruitandveggies#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA DINES AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE

Barb has two university friends she has known for over 46 years. Mary and Ben entertained us and our friends Rose and Paul

A nice array of appetizers allowed for friendly chatting until moving to the dining room.

Salad with a slice of Apple for appeal. Oil and Vinegar dressing.

Homemade lasagna by Mary.

Ben barbecued the steak and potatoes. Mary made the seafood platter with vegetables along with beans, asparagus and broccoli.

Red and White wine was served. Some of us just drink water.

Dessert was Zeppoles in honour of St. Giuseppe March 19th.

Tea and Coffee and more chatting, laughing and enjoying the evening. Time to leave came too soon. It's my turn to make dinner for the next get together. Granpa likes to cook but Granpa also likes to taste good food by others especially close friends.
#diningatafriends'shouse#zeppoles#fruitplatter#seafoodplatterswithvegetables#steakandvegetables#appetizertray#funtodineout#granpalovestocook#granpaloveseatingatafriend'shouse

SHRIMP FETTUCINE FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT

I made myself some bacala soup. For Barb I sautéed some shrimp in garlic and butter to put on top of the fettuccine - freshly made in a cream sauce. For vegetables, rapini and roast peppers with garlic and olive oil. Not bad for a Saturday night quick meal.
During the week, I made some fresh egg noodle pasta with a meat sauce- giving most of it to my two working daughters and families. My sons-in-law love my cooking too.
As Easter approaches, I will be trying to blend the two cultures- Canadian and Italian. I have noticed lots of reads for my Easter canascione. It really is true dish from the Ciociaria region.

Meanwhile the daily cooking continues. Barb loved her meal topped off with a little glass of white wine. It will be a busy week for traditional cooks and bakers. Easter like other holidays has its festive dishes. I was thinking I might make a lasagna. My mother used to make one every Easter. It could keep some traditions alive. Happy Palm Sunday everyone as we enter the Easter Holy Week.

#shrimpfettucine#shrimpsforasaturdaynight#peppers#rapini#pastawithveggiesisagreatsaturdaynightmeal#lovingsimplesaturdaymeals#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA LOVED TO COOK FOR THE GRANDCHILDREN

 As we approach one year since Adolph died, the grandchildren often talk about Granpa's cooking.

He would make pancakes on a sleepover.

Sauce and fresh egg noodle for fettucine or spaghetti.

His lasagna was so delicious. Not just for the grandchildren but for special occasions or a treat for someone who was ill.

So to those other Dads and Granpas that love to cook, this is your day.

#father'sday2021#granpalovedtocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA COOKS FOR A BIRTHDAY DINNER

As everyone knows that reads this blog, I love to cook. So given an opportunity like a birthday get together for my oldest daughter Natasha, I did most of the cooking. The family had a discussion about which of granpa's pasta dishes- lasagna, gnocchi or spaghetti- I was to prepare. The consensus was homemade spaghetti or as I have posted previously the egg noodle. It is easier to make and actually is my favourite pasta dish.

Lots of meat for the ragu sauce for the pasta. As it simmers, I remove as much of the oil and fat as possible. The thick meat sauce clings to the pasta better. It gives a hardy meat portion to a meal.  I made oven roasted chicken thighs and leg along with potato wedges. Again draining off excess fat! Salt, pepper and rosemary added the needed flavour. Peas made with onions simmered on the stove top added another dish to the meal. The pasta was cooked and prepared. I took along extra sauce in case someone wanted more on their portions Taken to Natasha's in travelling tin foil containers made the job easy.

A Greek salad prepared right before dinner rounded out the meal. The kitchen mess stayed home for Barb to clean up later. I do the cooking but my cook's assistant cleans the pots! Overall it was a good birthday meal enjoyed by all!
#granpalovestocook#chichenandpeas#chickenandpotatoes#salad#homemadeeggnoodle#lotsofgoodfoodforabirhdaydinner

MOTHER'S DAY- A TIME TO EAT

Attending my granddaughter's baptism was enjoyable. My contribution was 3 pans of lasagna while Barb made her devilled eggs. Two salads, a plate of sandwiches, cold cuts, pickles, cheese, olives, appetizers, buns, a drink of choice and a wonderful table with goodies. The cake with thick pink icing was well- the icing on the cake for the event. Mother's day and baptism day all in one was very good. Poignant, as many in the room were missing their mothers. Able to go home later and take off my tight pants replaced by jammies was enjoyable too! Overeating has its disadvantages!

See Barb's blog for the yummy food pictures.
http://reflectivethoughtsbybarbara.blogspot.com

GRANPA LOVES WORLD PASTA DAY

Granpa has always made many pasta dishes.

A good plate of spaghettini!

Anything can go on pasta.

Lasagna in a pasta bowl.

A granddaughter helps with the preparation.

A Christmas Eve feast with a meat sauce and a clam sauce. Try one or both.

The homemade gnocchi.

A hearty sauce for the pasta.

Cooking spaghetti.

Making homemade egg noodles

Eating a good portion of pasta is always best.

Years of food preparation and good eating.

Happy World Pasta Day everyone!!
#worldpastaday#spaghetti#makinghomemadegnocchi#cookingwithchildren#eatingisgood#meatsauce#clamsauce#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro