Lasagna Rolls

I wanted to make veggie lasagna with a twist so I figured I'd roll up the noodles instead of layering them. It tastes the same, but it looks prettier. It's also easier to dish out.



lasagna noodles (about 8 for an 8x8 dish)
ricotta cheese
2 big garlic cloves
half an onion
artichoke hearts
chopped spinach (I used frozen)
mozzarella cheese
tomato sauce

Thaw frozen spinach and boil water for noodles. Oven should be set to 350.

Add garlic, chopped onion, artichokes, and spinach to ricotta cheese.


I love my garlic press!

Spread the mixture onto one lasagna noodle and roll up. Then set in a dish with a little sauce on the bottom.

Top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until cheese is all melted and starting to brown.

Carrot Cake

I made this carrot cake for Easter. I like the semi-homemade version because you start with a box cake mix and then add some tasty ingredients.

Cake:
1 box (2 layer) Spice cake mix (plus ingredients for mix: eggs, oil, etc.)
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 c. shredded carrots

Frosting:
2 pkg (8 oz each) cream cheese
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz) whipped cream

Optional: decorate with almonds, pecans, or walnuts.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box. Add the shredded carrots and crushed pineapple. Pour into two cake pans (lightly greased and floured) and bake for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Then fold in the whole tub of whipped cream.

Let the cakes cool before frosting. Decorate with nuts, I used almonds.



It turned out very delicious and moist.

Cinnamon Rolls

I've never made homemade cinnamon rolls before, and after trying this recipe I will definitely make these again. If you want them for breakfast you'd have to start preparing them pretty early in the morning and have patients, but these are worth the wait.

Dough:
3/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp warm water
2 Tbsp butter
2 1/2 c. flour (I used wheat flour for the 1/2 c.)
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp yeast

Filling:
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Frosting:
1 (8 oz) pkg. of cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tub of whipped cream (4 oz)

(I used leftover frosting from a cake I made, so the ingredients are cut it in half from that recipe.)

I let the bread machine do most of the work and it turned out the most perfect ball of dough I've ever held. All I had to do was load the machine with the dough ingredients (in the order listed), set it on dough cycle, and it just worked away for an hour and a half while I slept (it was very early in the morning when I started these).

If you don't have a bread machine you have to knead it by hand, and let it rise for about and hour until it has doubled in size.

When the dough is finished, roll it out to a 9 in. square. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Spread the butter over the dough and top with the sugar mixture. Then tightly roll up the side. Cut into one inch slices. Place in a 9x13 in. pan that is slightly greased, lightly cover with plastic wrap, and set them aside to rise for an hour.



Remove plastic and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Then frost them when they are still warm.
(Makes about 12 rolls)

Then frost them when they are still warm.
(Makes about 12 rolls)


The best part! mmmm

Growth

I bought some seeds last weekend, and I'm excited that little seedlings are already coming up. I planted Basil, Oregano, and Lavender. I can't wait to make my own pesto and have fresh herbs on hand. I'll also have fun watching them grow.



The lavender hasn't come up yet, it may take another week.

I had started a few in some test tubes because I thought it would be cute.

It's like a mini terrarium!



My crown of thorns also decided to bloom right on time for spring.

Granola Bars

These are great to snack on. I save all the granola crumbs that I accumulate from cutting these and put them on my yogurt.


3 1/2 c oatmeal
1/2 c raisins or any dried fruit
2/3 c butter melted (I used half butter and half applesauce and it worked out fine, because 2/3 cup is a lot of butter)
1/2 c brown sugar
1/3 c honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c almonds or other nuts

Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.

Then add all ingredients together and pack into a lined 9 by 13 inch pan.

Cook for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. When done let them cool slightly in the pan. Cut them when they are still a little warm.

Orange Julius

Tastes just like the ones at the mall. If you want I'm sure you could add different flavors of juice if you want more variety.

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 c milk
1/2 c water
1/2 c suger
1/2 tsp vanilla
about 10 ice cubes

Blend juice, milk, water, sugar, and vanilla together in blender.



Gradually add ice cubes and blend until smooth. Add or subtract the number of ice cubes depending on the desired thickness.

New Year

I know I haven't posted anything in a while. My winter break was pretty busy, I moved in with Alex and I got engaged! Spring semester started a few weeks ago so now I'm back in school and that takes up a lot of my time.

I promise I'll have more yummy food to post soon. My birthday is coming up and I'm planning on making tasty treats!

Here is something I made over break: For my and Alex's engagement party I made a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake which is my favorite cheesecake I've made so far. The recipe is under the post: Best Cheesecake Ever!

So now you can see what the final product looks like.



Here is our other cake