LASAGNA ROLL-UPS, WOODEN SPOONS AND OLIVE OIL!

So the other day, I decided to stream-line the countertops around my stove a little bit. To only have those things nearest my cooking space that I really need, and use on a daily basis. And if you think about it, very few things are absolutely necessary, in my humble opinion. Of course, you'll need pot holders; I found these cute polka dotted numbers (above) at Target, and they are just so cheery. They are kept in a drawer right next to my stove.

I'm always reaching for good olive oil, salts (kosher and regular, for baking) and freshly ground pepper, so I keep them nestled together on this pretty old platter:

I'm a firm believer in the right tool for the job philosophy, and so I have a gazillion spoons, tongs, spatulas and strainers, neatly kept in these terra cotta pots, right where I can reach them when things are heating up:

And I think every stove needs some sort of a spoon rest--this one is, again, from fabulous Target:

How about you? What do you need to have nearby when you're cooking up a feast? I'd love to hear!

Big Daddy and I just adore lasagna, but haven't enjoyed it very often over the past few years, because Little Miss Thing has never liked Ricotta cheese. So bizarre. She is SO not our child! Well anyways she's gone most of the time now, so we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want. If I have the time, I love to make a big, old fashioned pan of traditional lasagna, but the other day I was feeling kinda lazy (which I seem to be feeling more and more lately--not good!), and so I just whipped up these quick and delicious Lasagna Roll-Ups. You still have to pre-cook the noodles, but everything else comes together in a snap. First, combine Ricotta cheese, drained and squeezed frozen spinach, an egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, basil and oregano in a bowl:

 Lay out your pre-cooked lasagna noodle and spread with cheese mixture. Then roll up--don't they look so cute?:

Top with jarred spaghetti sauce (of course, you can always use homemade, but since I'm still lazy, I used store-bought, and it was fabulous), and another dusting of Parmesan cheese:

Cover and bake for about 35 minutes. Perfect time to whip up a salad and pour yourself a glass (or two!) of wine.....then it's dinner!  Enjoy!

Here's the recipe:

LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

15 oz. Ricotta cheese

1 10oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed until most water is gone

1 egg

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus extra

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

12 lasagna noodles, cooked and cooled

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I like Newman's Own--they use the least corn syrup in their recipe)

Combine Ricotta, spinach, egg, Parmesan, salt and pepper and dried herbs. Spread mixture on cooked lasanga noodles and roll up. Place seam-side down in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with spaghetti sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. If desired, serve with additional spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese.

TODAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR:

*Things to look forward to! I just purchased tickets to take my parents and ourselves to Tony and Tina's Wedding in Las Vegas--a show where you actually have dinner and drinks and feel like you're actually invited guests to a wedding. Too funny!

*The wonderful women in my husband's office, who have helped me tremendously over the past couple of days.

*Another 4 pounds, GONE!