Types of Cuisine

Ingredients

    * 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
    * 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
    * 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
    * Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    * 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    * 1/4 small melon (about 12 ounces), peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
    * 4 ounces fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
    * 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted* see Cook’s Note

Directions

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the prosciutto in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Chop the prosciutto into 1/4-inch pieces.

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. In a medium bowl, toss together the asparagus and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes each side until crisp-tender.

In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the melon and mozzarella cheese and toss until all ingredients are combined.

Arrange the asparagus on a platter. Using a slotted spoon, spoon the melon and burrata cheese on top of the asparagus. Drizzle any remaining vinaigrette over the top. Sprinkle the prosciutto and pine nuts on top and serve.

*Cook’s Note: To toast pine nuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 8 to 12 minutes until lightly browned.

Ingredients

    * 12 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles (15 noodles)
    * 8 ounces lean ground beef (90 percent lean or higher)
    * 2 teaspoons olive oil
    * 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, diced (about 3 large mushroom caps)
    * 4 cups good quality store-bought marinara sauce
    * 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
    * 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
    * 1 egg, lightly beaten
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    * Pinch ground nutmeg
    * 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
    * 3 ounces grated part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 2/3 cup)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cook the noodles al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain them well then lay out on waxed paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks, about 3 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate, discarding any fat remaining in the pan.

Add the oil to the same pan and heat over a medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has evaporated and they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pan. Stir in 2 cups of the tomato sauce and simmer for 2 minutes.

In a medium bowl combine the ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, the salt, the pepper and nutmeg.

Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top, touching but not overlapping. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles. Add another layer of noodles. Top with half the beef-mushroom mixture. Repeat with another layer of noodles, then remaining cheese mixture, more noodles, then remaining beef mixture and finally 1 more layer of noodles. Top the final layer of noodles with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the grated cheeses. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more.

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calories 530; Total Fat 16 g; (Sat Fat 7 g, Mono Fat 5 g, Poly Fat 0.75 g) ; Protein 35 g; Carb 62 g; Fiber 9 g; Cholesterol 90 mg; Sodium 1150 mg

Excellent source of: Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc

Good source of: Folate, Copper, Magnesium