Posted on 07/29/2024 8:32:48 AM PDT by Red Badger
NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY July 29 is National Lasagna Day and we encourage everyone to enjoy at least one version of the delicious layers of noodles, sauces, cheeses, and whatever else your heart desires in your idea of lasagna.
#NationalLasagnaDay Lasagna requires layering using cheeses, meats, vegetables, and sauce to create a delicious blend of savory baked layers. Since lasagna is one of the oldest kinds of pasta, cooks have developed quite a selection of recipes. From vegan to seafood and dessert, lasagna fills recipe books around the world. Even the sauces come in a wide variety.
Many families create unique recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes the sauce makes the lasagna special and sometimes it's the cheese blend that makes the dish special. Even fresh-picked tomatoes, onions, and herbs are often a cook's secret.
5 Lasagna Facts:
1. Lasagna was first made during the 14th century at the height of the Black Plague in Greece. Interestingly, this pasta dish was made specifically for special events and holidays, despite the bleak time it was created.
2. The original recipe of lasagna didn't contain meat. In fact, the first recipe contained ingredients such as artichokes, eggplant, spinach, ricotta and grated cheeses.
3. The first printed recipe of lasagna dates back to 1634 by Giovanni Battista Crisci. The recipe was known as "lasagne di monache stufate, mozzarella e cacio."
4. King Ferdinand II enjoyed "lasagne di carnevale," the Neapolitan lasagna. This type of lasagna was made of meat ragu, small fried meatballs, hard boiled eggs and mozzarella cheese.
5. The most expensive lasagna in the world is found at the Portofino Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Known as the Diamond and Gold Lasagna, this lasagna sells for $100 a "slice" and consists of Kobe beef, Iberico ham, prosciutto di Parma, porcini mushrooms, and foie gras Alfredo sauce.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY
Have a lasagna cook off and invite friends and family over for an evening of lasagna tasting. While everyone tastes and compares, enjoy a bottle of wine and laughter. Meanwhile, tell stories of your first attempt to make lasagna - everyone has one. And, don't forget to get the children involved in baking, too! Lasagna is a family-friendly baking experience. They can mix ingredients and add layers before the cooking begins. It's an excellent way to #CelebrateEveryDay!
Post on social media using #NationalLasagnaDay and share your celebration.
NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY HISTORY
We were unable to find the origin of National Lasagna Day.
July 29th Celebrated History
1958
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 creating National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
1954
Allen & Unwin publish J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings.
1981
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer wed.
July 29th Celebrated Birthdays
Benito Mussolini - 1883
In 1925, Mussolini became the fascist dictator of Italy. He would support Adolf Hitler, joining the Axis Powers of Germany and Japan during World War II.
Diana Vreeland - 1903
During her career, the French-American fashion columnist and editor earned the nickname "Empress of Fashion" for her contributions to fashion. She wrote for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. In 1963, she was named Vogue's editor in chief, a position she held until 1971.
Wil Wheaton - 1972
The American actor is known for his roles in the film Stand By Me, the television show Star Trek: The Next Generation and as himself in The Big Bang Theory.
The secret is to not boil the noodles beforehand The sauces, meats and cheeses will soften them right up in the baking.
I’ve thought about using Calimari to replace the pasta...............
(store bought) Lasagna happens twice a month.
Sam’s sells a good one...............
I am soon to be 70. All is working well, so far. I say, what is the point if i cannot enjoy the things i enjoy.
So am I, but my doc says no bread, or pasta, else I can plan on another heart attack................
I made lasagna soup in the crockpot last year for a potluck. It turned out really great. The * are my edits to the recipe.
SLOW COOKER LASAGNA SOUP
yield: 6 - 8 SERVINGS
prep: 20 MINUTES cook: 8 HOURS 40 MINUTES total: 9 HOURS
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
(*I use turkey Italian sausage instead of the beef and sausage mix)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 15-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
6 cups beef stock
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
*1/4 C red wine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups uncooked campanelle pasta
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
*grated Parmesan
*shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and sausage, and cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef and sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
Stir in garlic and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Place ground beef/sausage mixture into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef stock, Italian seasoning and basil; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 5-6 hours. Uncover and stir in pasta (*and red wine) cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until tender; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately, topped with dollops of ricotta (*and other cheeses) and garnished with parsley, if desired.
https://damndelicious.net/2019/03/11/slow-cooker-lasagna-soup/
My brother in law has already had one heart attack, and he refuses to take care of himself. He eats what he wants, and my sister can do nothing about it. If he just tapered back a little it would help him. He’s in his early 60’s, and the way he’s going, I don’t think he will make it to his late 60’s. I hope so, though. He’s a good person, and my sister, among others, will be crushed.
Watched the video. Interesting.
I have a live affair with pasta, especially lasagne, but didn’t eat it too much any more. Trying to avoid carbs. But IIRC, if you refrigerate it after it has been cooked and then eat it, there are less carbs. It becomes a “restaurant starch”. Ditto for potatoes, etc.
https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2023/12/is-pasta-healthier-when-its-eaten-cold
This is good to know! Thx! Make the pasta dish ahead, refrigerate, and then reheat.
I’ve often thought that leftover lasagna tasted better than fresh, and maybe part of it is that those starches become resistant. I thought it had more to do with the flavors in the sauce melding. Maybe it’s both.
Wheat products, and other grains as well, breads, cakes, etc, stimulate the same pleasure receptors as heroin, morphine and other opioids.........
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00130/full
Looks delicious......................
Once I found this recipe, I’ve made it several times along with some of his other recipes.
Making the sauce using a sofrito and a good passata sauce and taking the extra time makes all the difference. And no, I can’t find fresh made lasagna so I do use the oven ready sheets and use store bought passata. And while I’d always used ricotta cheese in the past for my lasagna, the bechamel is perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ADTfAasck
https://www.vincenzosplate.com/wprm_print/13362
“This is good to know!”
I know. We eat very little with carbs now, but a good pasta salad is always a hit.
Hmmm. ❤️
Sooo fine. Both of them, in their very special ways.
Yum yum😀
Poor Odie took SO much abuse from Garfield, LOL!
In honor of National Lasagna Day I am making three-cheese stuffed chicken breasts (no one I know, personally!) wrapped in BACON.
I make a Lasagna maybe once a year. Beau is not really a ‘casserole guy’ and in his mind, it’s just another casserole.
*Rolleyes*
Hard to believe he’s a Norski from ‘The Land of the Hot Dish Church Basement Supper!’ ;)
P.S. That stuff will kick your butt, LOL!
I STILL love Ramen! So versatile. I make a great ‘Egg Drop Soup’ with the base being the Chicken-flavored (no live chicken has ever been seen in a Ramen Factory) Ramen.
Add sliced mushrooms, fresh chives or green onion, and swirl a beaten egg in there at the end of the cooking time while it’s still hot.
Best 35-cents you’ll ever spend; Ramen is STILL 20-cents each at Walmart. ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.