I yearn to be in the kitchen…

I feel like a part of me is missing when I don’t get to cook. Our house has been going through a ton of renovations. It is time consuming, exhausting and draining. No one is motivated to cook and the only real answer seems to be going out to eat. I have lost the desire to eat because of the constant dining out. Don’t take it the wrong way, I do eat I just eat less. I think the whole being completely exhausted and drained adds to the whole me not eating alot.

I have made little things here and there like Mac n Cheese and mashed potatoes with corn on the cob and broccoli. I did attempt spinach and cheese tortellini with a butter sage sauce but that could have gone better. I think it had to do with type of butter used. It was not as fresh, smooth and lacked a bit of saltiness. My dad buys butter in bulk and puts it in the freezer so that he can make Ghee (clarified butter). Next time I think I need a different butter and I have to add a bit more of Extra virgin olive oil to really enhance the flavors of the sage and the butter.

Today I finally got the chance to bake lasagna. Sunday’s go hand in hand with comfort foods. Comfort to me is something baked, warm and swarming with cheese and cheese and MORE gooey cheese.

I usually make the same ol’ lasagna but today was different. I was trying to avoid spending more than $5 on ingredients and wanted to use up what was left in my fridge. I already had oven-ready lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, a tomato, spinach, Morningstar crumbles (a soy based beef substitute) and Parmesan cheese. I went out (regardless of this “hurricane”) and got mozzarella and ricotta cheese.

In a sauce pan I added some extra virgin olive oil and some chopped garlic. I let it get fragrant and added the Morningstar crumbles. I seasoned it with salt and pepper then added the baby spinach. Once the spinach slightly wilted I added the ricotta cheese and removed it from the heat. I added one diced tomato, the left over pre-shredded Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup) and seasoned accordingly. I layered the lasagna thickly and covered it with the shredded mozzarella and put it to bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Those 30 minutes seemed never ending since I was incredibly hungry. My apartment smelled incredibly fragrant and mouth watering. Once I cut myself a slice of that lasagna my taste buds were sent to heaven. I felt immediately comforted and relaxed. All I need now is something sweet and I am set for the this Sunday.