Monday, November 17, 2008

BEST MOM EVER



So, I'm in surgery. Holy buckets! It's early early early. I am doing my surgery rotation at the VA. Besides the fact that at 2 am, this dark creepy hospital totally freaks me out... I really enjoy it there. The patients are really fun, and the surgery schedule is lighter, and HELLO- NO TRAUMA!!

My glorious, fabulous, wonderful, retired mother has been cooking for me. Praise the lord! She's made lasagna, pumpkin corn bread muffins and chicken wild rice soup, in massive quantities to feed my hungry surgical butt. They are all fantastic, and I'm starting with the lasagna recipe. We used tinkyada brown rice lasagna noodles, and they are indistinguishable from their gluten filled counterpart. For any gluten eaters out there, feel free to make this with regular noodles, for a cheaper version!!


Chicken Lasagna (adapted from a recipe from Nancy Dostal)

3 chicken breasts
chicken broth (about 1 cup)
1 tsp olive oil
2 10 oz. packages of frozen spinach (thaw and press out some of the
liquid)
1 package fresh mushroom, sliced
2 cloves minced garlic
salt
pepper
16 oz. cottage cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 beaten egg
2 T dried basil
1 lb. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 package gluten free noodles (do not cook)

9x13 inch pan
spray (Pam)

Cook chicken breasts in chicken broth until done.
Remove chicken breasts and cut into small pieces.
Slice mushrooms and add to chicken broth.
Add 1 tsp olive oil to mushrooms and broth.
Salt and pepper mushrooms.
Simmer mushrooms until broth cooks away and mushroom brown .
Add garlic and spinach and saute for 2 minutes
Add chicken and mix together.
Remove from heat.

Mix 16 oz. cottage cheese with 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 beaten egg and basil.

Spray 9x13 inch pan
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Layer in this order:
Noodles
Cottage cheese mixture
Mozzarella
Chicken mixture

Make 2 layers

Top with Parmesan cheese

Cover with aluminum foil

Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Remove foil and continue to bake until brown and bubbly.
Serve with spaghetti sauce on the side.

4 comments:

Lisa's Yarns said...

Wow! Yum! You do have the best mom. :) Hope this rotation is going well for you!!

Unknown said...

What a shock to see my own picture when I logged on this morning!!! Love you! And, more is on the way...

Marlys said...

I can't wait to sit down and visit with you about all your experiences in the medical field! I do miss it so much! The picture of your Mom was wonderful! The food sounds delicious - you are so lucky to have her close to help you out like this!

Anonymous said...

Hey- How about a "best Dad ever" for keeping your car running and taking out your air conditioners?