Best Whole Wheat Skillet Lasagna And Escarole Salad Recipes

ALEX'S SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place the pepper directly over a gas flame to char and cook, turning, about 3 minutes per side. Place the pepper in a bowl and let sit, uncovered, until cool enough to handle.
• Place the pepper on a cutting board. Remove the seeds and core and open the pepper up so it lies flat on the cutting board, charred skin-side up. Use a kitchen towel to wipe the charred skin away. Sprinkle the pepper with the sugar, then chop the pepper into 1/4-inch dice. Place the diced peppers back in the bowl and drizzle with the vinegar. Set aside.
• Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add a generous amount of salt. (It should taste like seawater.) Cook the pasta, stirring from time to time, until "al dente" (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and toss with the pesto. If the pesto is too thick, add some pasta water to thin it out. Place half of the pasta in a serving bowl, then top with half of the Parmesan and half of the roasted peppers. Top with the remaining pasta, Parmesan and roasted peppers. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
• Pulse the basil with the garlic, sugar and salt in a food processor. Slowly stream in 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup water through the top of the machine, pulsing until almost completely smooth. Taste for seasoning. Add more oil if too chunky or dry. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan.

20-MINUTE CHICKEN CUTLETS WITH CHARRED ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Position an oven rack about 5 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler.
• Cut the head of escarole lengthwise through the stem-end into 4 wedges. Discard any discolored or wilted leaves. Rinse the escarole wedges under cold water, being sure to rinse away any dirt or grit between the leaves. Give each wedge a good shake to remove excess water and place upside down to drain in a colander.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar, crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup of the oil, whisking constantly, until blended. Stir in the raisins.
• Spread the panko and almonds together on a baking sheet. Toss with 1 teaspoon of the oil and a pinch of salt. Place under the broiler and toast until lightly browned, 20 to 30 seconds. Toss again and broil until golden brown, another 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Wipe off the baking sheet and drizzle generously with oil. Arrange the four escarole wedges, cut-side up, on the baking sheet. Drizzle the wedges with 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until the tops are browned and charred in places but the escarole is still raw underneath, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Drizzle a second baking sheet with oil. Arrange the chicken cutlets on the baking sheet in one layer. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle the tops of the cutlets with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Place under the broiler and broil until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Divide the cutlets and escarole wedges among 4 plates. Spoon the raisin vinaigrette over each wedge, then top with the toasted panko and almonds.

SKILLET LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic; cook, stirring, until golden, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of the herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook until saucy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and carefully blend until smooth (see Cook's Note). Return 1 cup of the sauce to the skillet and reduce the heat to low; reserve the remaining sauce.
• Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, egg, the 2 tablespoons Parmesan, the remaining 3 tablespoons herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
• Place 2 lasagna noodles over the sauce in the skillet. Layer half of the carrots and zucchini on top; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with half of the spinach, half of the ricotta mixture, a few pieces of mozzarella and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved tomato sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with noodles. Top with the remaining sauce and mozzarella. Cover and simmer until the lasagna is cooked and the mozzarella melts, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Let rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with more Parmesan and fresh herbs.

AUNT ANGIE'S LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Meatball Mix: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Roll meatballs into desired size and bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. For the lasagna, instead of rolling into desired size, spread mix out evenly on a sheet pan and bake. Break up the meat for lasagna.
• For the Meat Sauce: In a stock pot (or large cooking vessel) brown the ground beef. Add the celery/carrot/onion mix and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the seasonings. Let simmer for 2 hours.
• For Aunt Angie's Lasagna: Using a 1/2 hotel pan or medium to large baking dish, coat the bottom with a thin layer of meat sauce. Lay out 4 pieces of lasagna so they go up the side of the pan with an additional 3 to 4 inches hanging over the edge. Do the same in the other direction of the pan using pieces of pasta. Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by 1/2 of the meatball mix. Then top the meat with 1 pound of the ricotta cheese, 1 pound of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Romano. Add a layer of pasta and repeat to have 2 layers. Fold over the remaining pasta to cover the top. Top with meat sauce and place in preheated oven and bake until proper serving temperature is reached or top is golden brown.