Sunday, October 28, 2012

Fall comfort food, butternut squash lasagna

This was amazing! Saw it in Woman's Day, but adapted it based on what I had :)

A fall comfort food after a relaxing, but productive weekend!

Ingredients:

1 medium (about 3 pounds) butternut squash
9 lasagna noodles
4 tablespoon(s) (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 cup(s) whole milk
2 tsp sage
1 cup(s) (4 ounces) grated Parmesan
1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly grated or ground nutmeg
Kosher salt
Pepper
6 Anna's almond cookies, crumbled
2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
8 ounce(s) (2 cups) 4 cheese Italian grated


Directions:

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out and discard the seeds, then place cut-side down in a baking dish. Add 1/4 cup water, cover with foil, and roast until tender, 40 to 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and lay flat until ready to use.

Make the white sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes (do not let it brown). Gradually whisk in the milk. Add the sage and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard the sage, then stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon each nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Scoop out the squash and place the flesh into a large bowl (you should have about 4 cups). Add the cookies, oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon each nutmeg and pepper, and mix to combine.

Spread 1 cup of the white sauce on the bottom of a 13- by 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles and 1 cup of the sauce. Dollop with a third of the squash mixture (about 1 1/3 cups), then gently swirl it into the sauce. Top with 2/3 cup of the cheese; repeat twice. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Cover with an oiled piece of foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Iowa- we've never lost a tailgate;)

Had an amazing time, as always, in Iowa City!

Oh, the memories! :)

We started out at The Vine on Thursday night! Mmmmm. Fun times with hubby, Con, Mark and Brandi!

Friday- went to HyVee breakfast with Con. Then, Hamburg Inn with John and Mark to have breakfast with Tim Dwight!

Amie got to Iowa and we visited Con at her school! Next, we went to The Vine for lunch... Then off to Downtown to show her my stomping grounds. Joe's Place and The Sports Column!

After that we picked up some wine and headed to Cons for Friday night happy hour at the Mathias Bar! We listened to music, had cocktails and we had fun! Jeannie and Marc got in town and Coach Con came out!! We even had some trick or treaters stop by! (Elie and Patrick!!). Mmmm pokie stix and pepperoni rolls.

Saturday we ate the famous Caseys breakfast pizza and started the tailgate at the Mathias bar! Nicole arrived and we made our tailgate food, snacked and tailgated and watched some football!!

Then.... cabs are here!! We headed downtown to tailgate at The Sports Column and The Fieldhouse!

Then we walked to the North Endzone to Tailgate with Mike! We headed to Kinnick and saw the beautiful black and gold sections. Wow it was pretty. The game wasn't but we had a blast with our family and friends who we were able to see!!

We've never lost a tailgate ;) Go Hawks!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Maddy and Madison in Michigan!

My 3 and 2 year old niece and nephew came to hang out last Saturday! We went to the Apple orchard, played around in mall toys, shopped at Old Navy, ate mac n cheese, hot dogs, pizza and of course watched Up!

Sissy and I had some wine time and watched The Sweetest Thing! The boys just hung out and did the grocery shopping :) fun, family times!

Hawaii Day 10- 1/30

Getting ready to head out of Hawaii and hubs helping with my hair :)  This is sooo beautiful! Cheese :) Laid back! Br...