Making Lasagna with #Ragu4You

I recently got a #ComfortVox box in the mail from Influenster.com. It was full of awesome free samples and coupons. One of those coupons was a for a free jar of Ragu. Today I am going to share my recipe for lasagna that we made with Ragu. I made 2 pans full of lasagna, one for us and one for my neighbor. She recently had a baby and that makes her #5 so I thought I would help her make dinner one night for the family.

I grew up with my grandmother and everyone I knew using Ragu. It was years before I knew it wasn't the only pasta sauce out there (lol), When I got married I continued to use Ragu. Then I stopped making pasta for a long time because my ex hated any form of pasta and it just was a big hassle to deal with making something he hated. When we separated I think I made lasagna 3 times a week for 6 months :).

This is my daughter redeeming our free coupon for Ragu :)

I am sure everyone knows how to make lasagna but here is my quick and simple recipe. Warning, it is very cheesy so if you aren't a cheese fan you will have to make changes.

1 box of lasagna noodles. (it usually takes around 9 long noodles for each pan) I used oven ready
16 oz of cottage cheese ( we only like Kroger brand for some reason)
8 oz of finely shredded mozzarella cheese

sauce
1 jar of your favorite flavor Ragu
14 oz can of petite diced cut tomatoes
1/2 lb of hamburger meat

Sauce
I brown the hamburger and drain the grease off of it. Then I add a jar of Ragu and a can of petite cut diced tomatoes. (everyone always things I have made from scratch my sauce because of the added tomatoes) Let it cook for about 15 minutes to get all the flavors mixed.

I always mix my cheeses, so in a medium bowl combine the cottage cheese and the mozzarella cheese.  Even though my noodles were oven ready I like to give them a quick dip in bowling water just to soften them. I get the water boiling, dip the noodles for about a minute or so then put in the pan.
I put a layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. I never measure but its probably about a cup of sauce then I add 3 noodles side by side, Layer 1/2 the cheese mix on top of the noodles,  Put a layer of sauce, Top that with 3 more noodles, then put the rest of the cheese for another layer of cheese and then 3 more noodles. Then I put another cup or some of sauce on the top. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. About 10 minutes before its done I like to sprinkle a handful of mozzarella cheese over top the sauce to brown.  When you first take it out of the oven it will be very runny because of the melted cheese. We let it sit about 20 minutes before cutting to keep it from being so runny.

This was so good, that we almost licked the pan. Apparently it has been too long since I made lasagna because usually we have leftovers to eat the next day but we ate the whole pan in one evening.  I also make stuffed shells just the same way only instead of layering the noodles, I stuff the shells with the cheese mix and put sauce of them. My daughter thinks it taste better as stuffed shells. I tell her its exactly the same but she still swears by stuffed noodles. I really want to say thanks to Influenster and  #Ragu4You for the free sauce.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Veggie Spiral Slicer, Spiralizer - Review

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• GREAT VARIETY - Make vegetable noodles and julienne spirals out of zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, sweet or regular potatoes, squash and lots of other veggies, as gluten free alternatives to pasta. Also, you can always choose from 2 julienne sizes (1/16" x 3/32" and 1/8" x 3/16"). Get your perfect assistant for a gluten free, low carb, raw vegan, no wheat, paleo or other diet!
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This USER FRIENDLY Kitchen Gadget helps you:

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My Thoughts
I am trying to incorporate more vegetables into my life. We eat way too much pasta so I thought how neat would be it be to try to use the veggie spiral slicer to make some veggies into a pasta sort of substitute that would be better and healthier for the whole family. It's a hand slicer (ie, not electric) but works really well. There are 2 blades, one on each end. You decide if you want the veggies sliced thick or thin depending on which end of the slicer you use. There is a cap that you are supposed to use to push the veggies down and twist with but I had a mess going on with that so in the end, I put a fork in the end of the zucchini and used that to turn it. That just made it easier for me with my carpal tunnel and arthritis.

Order your Veggie Spiral Slicer on Amazon today

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer Review

Product Description
Healthy and tasty option for getting your daily serving of fruit or vegetables
Our stainless steamer is a great way to get the best out of your fruit and veggies
retaining all the nutrients and minerals lost by other cooking methods

Fantastic for family meals or single serves- this steamer will quickly become one
of your favorite kitchen gadgets

Perfect for steaming fruit and vegetables for making baby food
Some benefits of Sunsella Veggie Steamer include...
- Unique compact collapsible design for space saving storage
- High grade stainless steel construction
- Expands and adjusts to fit a variety of pots and pans
- Sturdy stainless steel legs that wont rust like the cheaper aluminum versions
- Easy removal from pan with custom designed central ring
- Center post and legs attached- No assembly required, ready to use out of the box
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup

Fast and nutritious cooking method

Other steaming options...
- Fruit and Vegetables
- Seafood (i.e fish, crab, mussels, clams)
- Desserts
- Dumplings
- Meat and chicken
- Eggs
- And more...

• A premium quality vegetable steamer made from 100% high-grade stainless steel (including legs).
• Unique design which expands to fit various pot sizes. Collapsable for space saving storage.
• No assembly required. Legs and center post are already attached for a stable, durable, veggie steamer.
• Easy removal from pan with sturdy central ring. Takes up less space than bamboo steamers.
• Diameter 5.3" to 9.25" - Height range (legs included) 2" to 3.35"

My Thoughts
 Everyone always says that boiling your vegetables causes them to lose nutrients that leech into the water so you are supposed to steam them instead. Fortunately, I love steamed vegetables and broccoli is my favorite. I have had other steamers and some of them fell apart, some of them would get stuck.I like the quality of this steamer. It is very well made and since it is stainless steel I know it won't rust. It has legs so it says just the perfect height above the water. Clean up was so easy and when I am done, the steamer just folds back up into a flower like shape to take up less space. I love my steamer and have used it almost daily since I got it.

Order your Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer on Amazon today

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Professional Pastry Blender Review + Chicken and Dumplings "Cracker Barrel Style"

Product Description

     The professional dough blender is one of the heavy duty kitchen gadgets made from stainless steel construction that will not break, bend or rust. A hand blender that was meticulously designed to serve you for years and decades to come.
     This pastry blender with blades quickly cut butter or margarine into dry ingredients such as flour or sugar, combining wet and dry ingredients seamlessly so you can make your favorite pie crust or cookie like a boss.
     The black soft-grip handle of the pastry cutter absorbs pressure and won't spin or come loose in your hand. Hold your pastry maker and note the thickness of the handle and how comfortably your fingers wrap around it.
     If you've ever had pastry blenders before you probably owned one with flexible wires like on a dough whisk that can take up to twice the time to do the same thing with the Professional Dough Blender. Haven't you put up with enough inconvenience?

Baking Time Can't Get Any Easier With Professional Dough Blender

Here are 5 Reasons You're Going to LOVE Your Professional Dough Blender:
1. This stainless steel dough maker was meticulously designed to serve you for years and decades to come.
2. Combine wet and dry ingredients seamlessly to make your favorite pie or cookie like a boss.
3. Hold it in your hand and note the thickness of the handle and how comfortably your fingers wrap around it.
4. It is not like a dough cutter with flexible wires. Please avoid that hassle and you will make your life so much easier.
5. Backed by a LIFETIME Guarantee! (Order yours now because you literally RISK NOTHING!)

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Once you've seen for yourself how great the Professional Dough Blender is, you'll have LOADS MORE than 5 reasons to love it!
And if you order today you will get a special bonus: The FREE eBook Home Chef is a 70-page kitchen management book that reveals how to create your ideal kitchen, great tips for you to start that dream Chef career and much more. Get it sent to your email FREE just for ordering the Professional Dough Blender.
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My Thoughts
I love to cook and have a real thing for kitchen gadgets. This dough blender was a treat to work with. It was very well designed and fit my hand perfectly. It was nice and sturdy so the blades didn't bend as I was trying to blend dough (have had that happen before). It was really just so much fun to work with because it was so well made. This is so well made that it will be a kitchen tool you can pass onto your children and grandchildren.  I decided to make chicken and dumplings since that is a family favorite.

Chicken and Dumplings like Cracker Barrel makes them.
2 cups self rising biscuit Flour
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 cup Milk (really just slightly less)
2 quarts Chicken Broth
3 cups Cooked Chicken breast, shredded

In a medium mixing bowl put flour and cut the butter into the flour with a fork or pastry blender. Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball.

Heavily flour a work surface. Roll the dough out thin with a heavily floured rolling pin. Dip your cutter (can be a knife, or a pizza cutter) in flour and cut the dumplings in squares about 2″x2″. It’s okay for them not to be exact.

Use the floured turner to put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings.

To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them.(I make about 10-15 at a time) The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth. Cook them for about 15-20 minutes or until they not doughy tasting. Stir the cooked chicken into the pot, let simmer about 5 minutes ,and you’re done!

Order your Professional Dough Blender today on Amazon
100% Guarantee! If you have any problems with your dough mixer FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE PRODUCT simply let us know and we will refund your order in full plus ship you a new item free of charge. Add to cart now because you literally risk nothing.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Cooking Gloves used for Baking Review

Product Description

Silicone cooking gloves making it safe and fun to cook, bake and BBQ, allowing you to enjoy time with your family and friends.

• * PERFECT gift idea for men & women, to keep it a surprise select this is a gift at checkout.
  * HEAT RESISTANT, Up to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit, 100% WATERPROOF and dishwasher safe. Repels grease, odors & germs.
  * VERSATILE, perfect for baking, cooking, barbecuing, grilling, camping, fishing & opening jars. The list is endless!
  * 100% LIFETIME, hassle free Guarantee! We have you covered!
  * BONUS, silicone heat resistant butterfly pot holder clip to make those smaller plates easy to grip.

• Your hands will be safe, the thick silicone gloves ensure you are able to handle hot objects up to 425 F for a sustained amount of time.
• The easily washable silicone removes the situation of always having crusty food on your oven mitts.
• The heart ribbing assists with controlling items when being held.
• The Roo Gloves are waterproof even in boiling water protecting everyone from any unwanted burns.
• The five finger design of the gloves makes it safe and easy to grip hot cooking trays, pans, saucepans and hot foods.
• Perfectly fits most hand sizes.

Perfect for baking including taking out super hot trays from the oven.

Highest quality silicone cooking glove which are FDA approved, BPA Free, 100% food grade silicone.

My Thoughts

I am a late arrival onto the silicone cooking scene. I have a couple of pans but really never thought about how they worked. But now that I have these gloves, I love silicone. I am one of those people who always manages to burn themselves while cooking. I can't tell you how often I have gotten burned taking something in or out the oven. It seems like the dishclothes or pot holders are always damp when I grab them and heat comes through. It was so neat putting on the cooking gloves and picking up a pan from the oven and not even feeling any heat. These have to rank as one of the greatest items invented. And these gloves have the cutest red hearts all over them. The little bonus butterfly clip so small enough that you can pick up something like a hot plate from the microwave and it has a magnet on the back to keep it on the stove. I love butterflies and this is just so darn cute. If you are looking for a gift to give at a household shower, these would be so perfect. Everyone should have a pair.

Buy a pair for yourself or to give as gifts on Amazon today.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine.

Odds and Ends for the Last Day of February

Great news, I ordered the engine for my car this morning. It should be here by Monday or Tuesday they said. I also found a friend who I know is great with cars and he agreed to put it in for 350. I am so glad. God is so good. Thought I would post some of the stuff I did today online.

Facebook

Sample of Alma Legend Billion Hair Potion.  this is a Facebook Sample

Win an electric tiller-  I want to plant a garden this year so this would be great. Also a Facebook page

Canyon Casserole- This is one of my favorite cooking sites and this recipe sounds great. I plan to make it tomorrow night for dinner.