zucchini lasagna

I made this zucchini lasagna the other night and I really do believe it is better than with noodles.  The zucchini replaces them!  I used everything for this from my garden ( except the cheese and meat ). Store bought works just as well.  Using my mandalin on the 3 setting I sliced my zucchini.

This is what they will look like

Next, I laid them all out single layer on paper towels and sprinkled with salt.  This is a must do.  Once you do it you will be amazed at all the water that comes out.  I let that side set for about 2 hours then I turn and do the same to the other side.  2 hours later I put a layer of paper towels on top to absorb the water.  Some people say to lightly grill them, I did not.  I then made my sauce.

This is how mine looked.

I used my canned sauce from last year 3 large cloves garlic and some  fresh oregano, thyme, and basil from my herb garden and of course salt and pepper.  In then browned up half a yellow onion and ground turkey and mixed it with my sauce. Grated some cheese, mozzarella and monteray jack, and started to layer.  Just like regular lasagna.  On top I sprinkled some fresh grated parmesagno regianno on top of my cheese mixture.  Bake for at least an hour covered then until crisp and bubblely on top at 350°.

Tada!  Our family like the top crispy.

I few things I will do different next Time are 1.mix spinach in the sauce and 2.stack double layers of zucchini on each single layer.

dried strawberries

I have stumbled upon something healthy and delicious...dried strawberries using my oven.  I'm sure a dehydrator would work, but I do not own one.

I sliced my strawberries slightly thick and sprinkled with salt and pepper and cooked for three hours at 200°. Yum.  The next time I am trying just plain honey.  I do not know how long these will store if you are in to prepping. Yuummo

zucchini caserole

I came across a fabulous zucchini recipe from my mother in law, but of course I have to do adjusting to my perfection. Lol.
The ingredients you will need can be adjusted to your size family.  I have a very hungry husband and a picky almost 3 year old.  We use one large green zucchini and two small straight neck yellow squash. By large I mean about 8 inches and small five to six inches.  You will need some kind of cream of something soup.  I use mushroom.  A cup of sour cream, I use fat free,  and a cup bread croutons.  2 tablespoons butter.  A white onion and salt and pepper to taste. I also sometimes throw in some frozen corn and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top depending on what we are having with it, which is usually chicken or fish so I add it all.  I cut my veggies in cubes, bite size, finally chop my onions.  You just mix all ingredients together and cook at 350° for about 30 min then sprinkle with the cheese and cook 15 more.  If you omit the cheese just cook a total of 45 min.

I am still trying to figure out how to make my cream of soups myself to leave out all the additives, and taste good, so for now I still use the cans.  I use my frozen corn from the garden and fresh squash. If you are using your frozen squash you won't need to cook as long and add half a cup more croutons, which I make from scratch.  I get whole baker loaves of wheat bread from sam's  club and freeze it.  When I need croutons I get it out and cube it and bake with evoo, salt, and pepper til crisp and let cool completely.  ENJOY

self pollinating your garden

Here is a picture of a male and female flower.  I am having to self pollinate this year due to the lack of bees.  You can see how the female has a small ovary or fruit on its stem.

Here is what the inside of the male flower looks like.  I remove all the petals to expose the stamen which holds the pollen.

Here I rub the inside of the female.  You can see the stamen is not straight for the female it is curly.  I do this in early morning because that is when the flowers are open.

I have had extreme success and am freezing about twenty today!  Good luck :)

healthy chicken salad

I would like to share a fantastic healthy chicken salad that me and my 2 year old girl just love.  You shred cooked chicken with a smashed avocado and mix well.  Add red onion or green with salt pepper and cilantro to your tasting.  I use red onions and a splash of garlic powder...yum!  Wheat crackers on the side are perfect.