Showing posts with label lasagna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lasagna. Show all posts

Friday 11 September 2009

Is it possible to dislike Beatles music?

The recent release of the new Beatles electronic game (and subsequent remastered works) has brought out the Beatles haters in force. I have always wondered how--no, more like questioned, whether someone can genuinely not like their music. I have explored this question from every angle I can think of...and have not yet found a plausible case for disliking the genre. I call it "genre" because it is a body of work large enough and different enough to warrant it.

And that brings me to my conclusion that it is not possible to hate Beatles music. I will concede that with a mild brain defect, it is fathomable that one may dislike many of the tunes the Fab Four produced. After all, some people don't like steak. Others still, don't like lobster. Therein lies the rub and the crux of my argument. The Beatles "buffet" consists of not only juicy steak and succulent lobster, but also lasagna, cherries, ice cream, cheesecake and several other recipes I can't put my finger on at the moment.

You tell me, dear reader, how anyone cannot find something to enjoy in that array. From She Loves You to Twist and Shout to Sgt. Pepper to Something to Back in the USSR to Long and Winding Road to--I'd better stop myself here or I might name every one of their songs. Their music spans much of the universe of sound. From the child-like tunes to the amazingly crafted ones, there's something for every taste. To continue the gastronomic metaphor, to say you don't like Beatles music is like saying "I don't like food".

So, to those who insist they hate the Beatles, I can only feel sorry for you...just as I feel sorry for those who suffer from anorexia...or mental illness.

Wednesday 30 July 2008

My Recipe: Lasagna

Vinny's Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 package (approximately 400 grams) of fresh lasagna or cannelloni/manicotti sheets
1 tub fresh ricotta
1 mozzarella ball
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 tbsp. oil
Italian parsley
salt

Note: Also requires meat sauce as per my pasta sauce recipe.

Directions:
1. Prepare pasta sauce using ground beef as directed in my pasta recipe.
2. Slice pasta with sharp knife or pizza cutter into about 2 inch wide strips.
3. Hard boil the eggs (about 5 minutes after boiling starts). While waiting for the eggs…
4. Pour oil into very deep baking dish or a large roasting pot. Using a paper towel, grease bottom 5. and sides of baking dish.
6. Put a little of the meat sauce into the baking dish and spread.
7. Shell, chop (not too small) and salt the hard boiled eggs.
8. Place ricotta into a dish, work in about 2 tbsp of water and some chopped parsley and salt to taste.
9. Shred the mozzarella and set aside.
10. Mostly fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil--reduce to allow a gentle boil.
11. Add 2-3 tsp. of salt (depending on size of pot) to water.
12. Place 2 or 3 pasta strips into pot, boil for several minutes (until it softens and expands)
13. Very, very carefully (try to avoid tearing) lift out each pasta strip and set aside until you are 14. able to handle it without burning your fingers, but not so long that it sticks onto itself.
15. Keep repeating steps 11-12. When you have enough to double layer the bottom of the baking dish…
16. Place two rows of pasta covering the bottom of the pan, alternating the direction, each row perpendicular to the previous, making a weave pattern. Be sure to overlap the edges of the strips so that it stays together when serving.
17. Spread a little mozzarella, then ricotta, then a little sauce, then some egg, and finally a little more mozzarella.
18. Place a single layer of pasta (again, in the opposite direction of the previous layer)
19. Repeat steps 17-18 until you are out of ingredients.
20. Place a little sauce on top of lasagna, sprinkle the parmesan on top and shake/sprinkle some parsley on it.
21. Cover with lid or tightly wrap with foil. Bake for about 30 mins in preheated oven at 350 degrees.