: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.
The snow is melting, the temperature is rising. Spring is most definitely right around the corner. I can almost remember that summer once existed. It was nice, if I’m remembering correctly.
And then, while tidying up my computer’s desktop, I came across some pictures of this bursting-with-freshness summer vegetable lasagna. Suddenly, summer felt real to me. I could remember not feeling cold, the smell of grilling meats, and bright green grass.
Lasagna is one of those things that has about as many variations as the vast number of cooks that make it. A quick search brings up a list including Chicken Alfredo Lasagna, Spinach Lasagna, Vegetarian Lasagna, Mexican Lasagna, Cajun Lasagna and even a number of dessert versions. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy just about all of them, too.
When it comes to what people consider “traditional” lasagna, although not as many, there are certainly a number of varieties.
Most lasagna I’ve had, and made, has layers of pasta, meat, sauce, cheese and fluffy ricotta cheese (usually mixed with an egg to help bind it). I make a lasagna like this in one of two ways. Either with meat or with lots of veggies (this usually shows up in the middle of summer with goodies from our CSA).
But I also have a slightly different style that I find myself making most often. It doesn’t use the ricotta. Instead, you make a creamy white sauce (a béchamel) that makes it the ooiest, gooiest yum fest you can imagine.
And that’s my purely scientific observation.
Since it’s not a variety that most people have tried, I thought I’d share the recipe with you today.
I consider myself a bit of a chicken salad aficionado.
I’m compelled to order it if I see it on a menu.
Thanks to a friend’s referral, the best I think I’ve found in a restaurant is the Tarragon Chicken Salad at Bruegger’s Bagels. (It’s served on whole wheat bread, not a bagel, BTW). Here’s how they describe it: Diced chicken, almonds, red onions, cranberries, lemon tarragon mayo, tomato & lettuce on wheatberry bread.
It’s delish!
Whenever I’m hosting a shower, or having friends over for lunch, you can expect chicken salad to make an appearance. Often, I’ll make a chicken pasta salad.