Pepperoni Lasagna Casserole

This is my variation of Guy Fieri's Blazy's Pepperoni Studded Lasagna.  Serve this with your favorite red wine and dinner salad. I purchased every ingredient from Trader Joe's.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds lasagna sheets - No-Bake
• 2 cups hand cut 1/8-inch slices pepperoni
• 4 cups Trader Joe's Organic Marinara Sauce
• 1 pound ricotta
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 16 ounces shredded mozzarella
• 2 pounds bulk Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage 
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In medium saucepan add pepperoni and sausage and saute over medium heat until crispy. Remove from heat and drain on a paper towel.  In a bowl, Mix the ricotta with the oregano and garlic.

In a 10-by-14-by-3-inch baking pan or dish, pour 1 cup of tomato sauce in bottom and around sides. Layer lasagna sheets on the bottom of the pan, overlapping by 1/2-inch. Add 1/3 amount of ricotta mixture, 1/3 amount of mozzarella, 1/3 amount of sausage, then sprinkle generously with the Parmesan, add 1/2 cup tomato sauce, and 1/4 cup of pepperoni. Repeat this 1 more times and top with layer of noodles.  Cover with sauce and remaining cheese.

On the very top sheet, top with remaining ricotta, tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and dust with Parmesan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. Remove from oven; let sit for 15 minutes. Cut and serve immediately.

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Prayer in your future

Prayer is a request for help or expression of thanks to God or a God.  All prayer should be made with passion and persistence, but most of all with earnest hope and faith. This is obviously easier said than done especially if one hasn't been subject to prayer or hasn't come to know a God.
For over 30 years, I've been a person uncomfortable with praying.   It wasn't practiced in our home and we didn't go to any church.  The prayers I was exposed to were chanted by so-called "jesus freaks" portrayed in the movies or by people in desperate need of salvation due to sin, addiction, or poverty.  I understood the need for prayer most when a loved one turned ill.  However,  I feared if they asked me to pray for them, I would do it wrong and the "right" result wouldn't occur.   Obviously my fears were brought on by ignorance and not knowing GOD.  I am proud to say I know GOD now.   But I am still learning how to pray. 


Pastor Chuck Booher, of Crossroads Christian Church,  broke down the elements of the Lords Prayer in a sermon on June 6th, 2010..  (Listen to sermon titled "Authentic Prayer") The Lords Prayer is considered to be a guide on how pray as written in Matthew 6:9, "so when you pray, you should pray like this:


'Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name - 
(be intimate with him, may his name always be kept holy, show respect)
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 
(You are living by HIS will and have genuine concern for him, more than for yourself)
Give us this day our daily bread
(Ask for what you want.  What do you want?  If you don't ask, you will not receive)
And forgive us our debts as we forgive those who trespass against us
(If you haven't forgiven others (tainted heart) he will not forgive you.)
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
(Help us to stay strong against  the powers that cause us to lose faith.)
For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory. Forever and ever.'
Amen.
You can use the elements of the Lord's Prayer to make your prayer more personal.   For instance, as I am driving To A Heaven On Earth (aka Tahoe) I say the following prayer to HIM using the elements above.


Dear Father,
I am in awe of the beauty of this planet you've created for us.
I pray this vacation refreshes our spirits so we may better serve You and those around us.  
Please keep us safe from harm as we travel and our home and animals protected while we are away.
Give us the strength to spend within our means and not get tempted by greed when gambling.
With my whole heart I pray, grateful for your love.  In Jesus's name.  
Amen.

It is my goal to become so comfortable when talking to God, I can do it in front of strangers and close friends to provide comfort and support.   To thank him for my gifts as well as to gain the strength to overcome my fears for a greater good.  So this month's 30daysof...topic is prayer.  Here are ways you can add prayer to your life over the next 30 days.
1.  Get the book, MY PRAYER BOOK (pictured left) and recite the daily verses already written.

2. Give thanks before your meals - out loud with your family and friends and to yourself when alone.

3. Memorize the Lords Prayer and the 10 commandments. LIVE THEM today.

4. Write a list down of what you want.  (I mean really want). Get to know God then pray with Passion and be Persistent.

Whether or not your prayers are answered, you will feel a peace within that allows you to better understand yourself, connect more with others and most importantly, connect with GOD.

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Macaroni Salad - A Tradition

No 4th of July BBQ is complete without hamburgers...and no hamburger is complete without macaroni salad.  Serve sliced watermelon and you'll have yourself the perfect classic american meal.    
This macaroni salad recipe has been served in our family for over 30 years.  Here's how to make it:

INGREDIENTS
12 hard boiled eggs
1 bag of salad macaroni
1 white onion finely diced
2 cups of finely diced sweet gherkins (pickles)
2 cups of finely diced celery
2 cups of best foods mayonnaise
1 cup of yellow mustard
1 TBLS White pepper
1 TBLS Salt

HOW TO MAKE
This is best if made the day before.
Hard boil the eggs.  Dice all the eggs except one. Save the last egg for a garnish.  Cook the macaroni until tender.  While macaroni is cooking, finely dice the celery, onion, and sweet pickles.
Mix all the ingredients together and season with the salt and pepper.
Add the mayonnaise and mustard...stir until all ingredients are coated.  If you want it more creamy, add more mayo.
Garnish with the sliced egg.

Enjoy!

See other egg recipes from the 30daysof...blog: Cayenne Deviled Eggs, Oatmeal Egg Pancake, Breakfast Casserole, and Spinach Artichoke Quiche.

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30daysof ... Casseroles

The 30daysof...blog is written to inspire people to create habits that make a difference for others.  This month's topic is casseroles.  How do casseroles make a difference?  First, they save time for the working moms since they are easy to prepare and serve.  Second, they save money since it usually takes a day or two for a family of four to finish.  Every Monday, I will create a casserole from some favorite recipes below to feed the family.  Every recipe listed fits in a standard 9x13 casserole dish. Here are some favorites to try:

1. Shepherd's Pie
2. Chicken Pot Pie
3. Tuna Casserole Surprise!
4. White Sauce Enchilada Casserole
5. Red Sauce Chicken Enchilada Casserole using Trader Joe's Sauce
6. Green Sauce Enchilada Casserole
7. Vegetable Lasagna
8. Pepperoni Lasagna
9. Chicken Divan
10. Taco Mex Casserole
11. Breakfast Casserole
12. French Toast Casserole
13. Meatloaf Casserole
14. Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
15. Chile Verde Chicken Enchiladas 
16. Tater Tot Casserole (this is a variation to the Shepherds Pie Recipe)
17. Chicken and Noodle Casserole (coming soon)
18. Chili Relleno Casserole
19. Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli Casserole by The Cooking Photographer
20. Black Bean Spinach Enchiladas in green chili cream sauce by The Cooking Photographer
21. Artichoke Heart Casserole (I will add Chicken or another vegetable to this recipe)
22. Parmesan Spinach Casserole with Brown Rice by the Cooking Photographer
23. Chicken and Rice Casserole by Paula Dean
24. Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
25. Emeril's Creole Breakfast Bread Pudding or Sausage and Apple Breakfast Bread Pudding
26. Uncle Bucks Cheesy Potato Casserole
27. Beef Stroganoff Casserole by Paula Dean
28. Graham Cracker Pudding Casserole - So easy the kids can make it!
29. Cherry Dump Cake Casserole 
30. Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Casserole

Looking for appetizers or desserts to serve - See the 30daysof...Bite-Size Goodies post.

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Tuna Casserole - There's a Surprise inside

To me, traditional tuna casserole recipes are boring, ie: peas, cream of mushroom soup, noodles, and tuna.   So I added some of my favorite flavors (bacon, potato chips, garlic, mushrooms) to this classic recipe.   It came out delish!

INGREDIENTS
3 cans of white albacore tuna
1/4 tsp garlic powder or white pepper
1 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1 cans of milk
1/2 white onion chopped
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (1 for Tuna, 1 for top of casserole)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
6 slices of turkey bacon turned into crispy bacon bits
3 cloves of frozen garlic cubes
1 package of Elbow Macaroni
1 can of cheddar cheese sauce
1 cup crushed potato chips (I use Ruffles)

HOW TO MAKE
Preheat oven to 425˚.  Boil the macaroni until soft. Cook the bacon until crispy. Mix the macaroni with 1 can of cheddar cheese sauce, garlic, and bacon bits.  In a bowl combine all other ingredients - tuna, seasonings, mushroom soup, milk, onion, peas, mushrooms, and 1/2 the shredded cheese.
Layer the casserole with the noodle mixture first.  Then the tuna mixture.  Top the entire casserole with the remaining cheddar cheese and potato chips.
Bake for 20 minutes.

See 30 other great casserole dishes from the 30daysof...casseroles post.  Get in the habit of making one every Monday.

What is your favorite casserole?

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Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

This vegetable lasagna recipe is packed full of garden fresh vegetables and smothered in alfredo and tomato-basil sauces.  Tempting?  I haven't even mentioned the fresh basil, parmesan cheese or the Italian Style Smart Sausages© I added to each layer.  Here is how to make it.

INGREDIENTS
Lasagna Noodle (no-cook type)
Classico Tomato Basil Sauce
3 green squash
3 yellow squash
4 cups of mushrooms
1 onion
2 bell peppers
4 garlic cloves
2 cups of parmesan cheese
1 bunch of fresh basil (garnish)
1 package of Italian Style Smart Sausages (vegetarian) or Trader Joe's Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage

HOW TO MAKE
Cut the sausage into slices and brown in two tablespoons of olive oil and garlic.  Cut all vegetables and onion into 1/4 inch bites (slices)  (If you dice the veggies they will cook down too much.)  Add vegetables to the pan and cook until soft.  Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish and then begin layering with:

Noodles
Alfredo Sauce
Veggie and Sausage mix
Parmesan Cheese
Repeat again and top with noodles.

Pour remaining tomato sauce, then the alfredo sauce.
Bake at 350˚ for 60 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

To view more casseroles, visit the post 30daysof...casseroles.  Get in the habit of making one every Monday night.

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Graham Cracker Pudding Casserole

My daughter's nana makes this recipe and it is a family favorite.   It's so easy, even the kids can make it!  


INGREDIENTS
2 packages of cinnamon sugar graham crackers
1 box of instant vanilla pudding
3/4 container of dark chocolate frosting
3 bananas sliced
1 container of whipped cream (not in can)
1 cup pecans, choc. chips, almonds (optional)


HOW TO MAKE
Cover the bottom of the casserole dish with the graham crackers (whole)
Prepare the pudding as directed and spread evenly over the graham cracker layer.  Add the sliced bananas on top of the pudding layer.  (OPTIONAL - you can add pecans, chocolate chips, almonds, etc for an extra crunch over this layer or on the top of the casserole)
Defrost the whip cream and spread the entire container over the banana and pudding.
Top with the second package of graham crackers.
Melt the frosting for 1 minute in the microwave and pour directly over the entire dish.  (OPTIONAL - you can add pecans, chocolate chips, almonds, etc for an extra crunch over this layer or on top of the pudding layer in step 2.)
Chill for one hour (at least) before serving. The chocolate topping will harden and the graham crackers will absorb the pudding causing them to be soft.  


ENJOY 

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Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Casserole

Are you looking for heaven in a casserole dish - here it is!
Tip: best if made and served at home.  Traveling with this isn't pretty. That is why it looks like this.  


INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. oats

1 TBSP cinammon
1 c. melted butter
1 1/2 c Mrs. Richardson's fat free caramel sundae sauce

(or make it homemade - see recipe) 
8 c. vanilla bean ice cream

HOW TO MAKE

Combine first five ingredients in large bowl. Add melted butter. Mix well until all the dry goods have been mixed with the butter. Place the mixture on a large baking sheet and firmly press it into a thin layer. Bake at 400˚for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Crumble while warm. Cool. Press half crumb mixture into 13 x 9 inch pan. Drizzle with half of sauce. Spread with ice cream and remainder of crumbs and sauce. Cover and store in freezer.

I sprinkled chocolate chips on the top for some additional color. I think next time I will try and make a peanut butter and chocolate icecream casserole.

Enjoy!

Looking for other great casseroles to enjoy with the family or friends.  Here are 30 great casseroles from the 30daysof...blog.

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Chicken Divan Casserole

This casserole has is all - protein, vegetables, creamy sauce and crunchy bread. Even nicer, you choose the spice you are in the mood for - curry or Essence of Emeril.


INGREDIENTS
3lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mushrooms
1 broccoli head
1/2 cup of curry OR Essence of Emeril
5 cloves of garlic (frozen) Trader Joes
4 slices of your favorite bread. 
1/2 cup of salted butter
Garlic salt

HOW TO MAKE
Boil 3lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast in 1/2 cup chicken broth and top with water.
Steam 1 head of broccoli until al dente.

In a bowl combine the cans of soup, 1 can of milk, 4 cloves of crushed garlic, 1/2 cup dehydrated onions.  Add the diced chicken and broccoli to the mixture. (Add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms (optional) Pour all ingredients into the casserole dish. Add the spice.
Top with 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
For the bread topping: melt 1/2 cup of salted butter and 1 clove of garlic.  Add diced bread and coat evenly.  (I used old hot dogs buns for this recipe but sourdough works well)   Evenly spread the bread atop the casserole. 

Bake covered at 350˚ for 40 minutes.  Remove foil and cook for 10 more minutes at 375˚.

Enjoy.

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Shepherds Pie Casserole

Is your man a meat and potatoes kind-of-guy? If yes, then this casserole is for him!


INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. of ground beef or a pot roast*
1/4 cup of  Montreal Steak Seasoning
1 cup Beef Broth
3 dashes of Worteshire
1 white or yellow onion finely diced
2 garlic cloves finely diced*
1 pound bag of assorted vegetables* (corn, green beans, carrots and peas)
4 large baking (russet) potatoes
1 box of Trader Joe'sTurkey Gravy*


HOW TO MAKE
Prepare the potatoes and boil.  While boiling, chop the onion and cook in a pan along with the meat.  Brown the meat until cooked through and onions are translucent.  Drain grease. Add beef broth,  Worstershire, seasoning to the meat and onions.  Mix thoroughly and taste to see if you need more seasoning.  Place the meat in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.  Add the garlic to the pan along with the vegetables.  Cook until softened.  Pour vegetables atop meat in the casserole dish.
When pototoes are soft, mash them.  Add 1/2 cup and 1 stick of butter and season with salt and pepper.  Beat until creamy.  Layer the mashed potatoes on top of the vegetable and meat in the casserole dish. 
Bake at 375˚ for 30 minutes.  
Heat gravy in a saucepan and pour ontop of the casserole upon serving. 


*VARIATIONS
Cook a round roast in a crock pot with lipton onion soup mix and water.  Shred it and use as the base.
Put cheese on top of the potatoes. 
Substitute above vegetables with mushrooms, broccoli, etc.
Add garlic to your mashed potatoes.


Have you tried this recipe or any of the other casserole dishes we feature?  Make it a Monday Night habit.

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