Italian Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

10 thick slices bacon, diced
2 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 pounds Italian sausage
1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
2 pints part-skim ricotta cheese
2 eggs
3 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/3 cup milk
9 slices provolone cheese
7 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS

Brown bacon and onion in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in fennel seed, 1 teaspoon oregano, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Cover, and simmer on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until thick.
Brown sausage links in a large skillet. Drain on paper towels. Cut into 1 inch pieces.
Mix together ricotta cheese, egg, milk, parsley, and 1 teaspoon oregano in a medium bowl.
Layer 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Layer with 1/3 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1/2 ricotta cheese mixture, 1/2 sausage pieces, 1/3 mozzarella, and 1/2 provolone cheese. Top with 1/3 sauce. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 1/3 noodles. Spread remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/3 mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 1/2 hours

Caesar salad

Prep and Cook Time:10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 large head romaine lettuce, outer leaves removed & discarded
* (optional) 1/4 cup walnuts
Dressing:
2 TBS roasted tahini
1 2oz can anchovies, drained of oil, rinsed and chopped
4 medium cloves garlic, chopped
2 TBS lemon juice
3 TBS balsamic vinegar
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
salt & cracked black pepper to taste

Directions:

Rinse lettuce, cut into bite size pieces, and dry. Try to get lettuce as dry as possible so dressing is not diluted. If you have a salad spinner it is best.
Blend dressing ingredients together for 1-2 minutes, drizzling the olive oil in at the end a little at a time. Toss romaine with desired amount of dressing and walnuts and chicken if desired. There will be dressing left over. It keeps very well in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Serves 4

Healthy Cooking Tips:
Make sure your lettuce is well dried so you don't dilute the dressing. This salad dressing is great if you want a healthy Caesar dressing with anchovies. If you don't like anchovies I would not bother making it, as it isn't nearly as good without them.