Taisha Ellison

Tossed Salad and Breadsticks

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Lemon Cheesecake garnished with

Strawberries and Chocolate

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

1 pound lasagna noodles

1 15 oz. package ricotta

1 cup shredded mozzarella

¼ cup grated parmesan

1 whole egg

10 ounce frozen spinach or use fresh

2 ½ cup marinara sauce

1 dash salt and pepper

1 drop non-stick cooking spray

1.     Get a large pot of water boiling with a dash of salt.  When it comes to a full boil, add the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente (soft but not soggy… about 12-15 minutes).  When they are finished cooking, drain in a colander.

2.     While the noodles are boiling, prepare the filling.  Thaw the package of frozen spinach in the microwave and then squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.

3.     Combine the spinach in a bowl with the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, freshly grated pepper and about ¼ tsp. of salt.  Mix until well combined.

4.     When the noodles and filling are ready to go, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a glass casserole dish by spraying with non-stick spray.

5.     On a clean surface, lay out a few noodles at a time.  Place a few tablespoons of filling on each noodle and spread to cover from edge to edge.  The filling does not need to be thick because once the noodle is rolled up, it will be compounded.  Make sure to spread it all the way to the edges of the noodles.

6.     Roll the noodles up and place in the prepared casserole dish.  Repeat until all of your filling is gone (there may be some noodles left over, these are “back ups” in case any of the others rip during assembly).

7.     Pour the marinara sauce over the rolled noodles making sure to cover all surfaces.  The sauce will keep the noodles hydrated and soft while baking. 

8.     Cover the dish in foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Sere hot or divide into individual portions and refrigerate.

Parmesan Breadsticks

12 Rhodes frozen rolls

½ cup butter, melted

1 cup parmesan cheese, grated or powdered

¾ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. garlic powder

Italian seasoning

Thaw rolls at room temperature.  Melt butter and spread half of it onto cookie sheet.  Sprinkle ½ cup cheese onto butter on cookie sheet. Shape each roll into a breadstick and place on cookie sheet on top of butter and cheese.  Allow to rise until double in size.  Using a pastry brush use the remaining melted butter on the breadsticks.  Mix together seasonings and sprinkle over to of breadsticks.  Sprinkle the breadsticks with the remaining1/2 cup of cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.  Feel free to add more or less seasoning according to your preference.

No Bake Cheesecake

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon or lime juice

1 8 oz. package cream cheese

Leave the cream cheese out for a couple hours at room temperature.  The cream cheese will become soft and smooth.  The importance of this is to create a smooth texture.

In a mixing bowl, mix cream cheese before mentioned ingredients.  Please not:  the lemon/lime juice must come last.  The reaction of the citrus juice will start to harden your mixture almost immediately.

On the low speed of your mixer, blend well.  Around 2 minutes or so is plenty, just make sure all ingredients are incorporated.  Pour mixture into a waiting graham crust or other crusts you may desire.

Refrigerate for an hour to an hour and a half and viola!