The Lazy Cook’s Little Black Book - of Recipes

04/16/2024

04/08/2024

“Best Veggie Lasagna” 🍝🔥🧑‍🍳

1 package oven-ready lasagna strips
1 container Ricotta cheese
2 packages shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large jar tomato-basil or marinara sauce
1 small bag of frozen peas and carrots

*Optional: Fresh, shredded Parmesan cheese

Turn oven to 375 degrees.

1. Put light layer of sauce on bottom of pan.
2. Layer 9x13 pan with one layer of pasta strips.
3. Put light layer of sauce on top of pasta strips.
4. Add shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Continue layering…alternate sauce, Ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and frozen peas/carrots.
6. End with layer of pasta strips on top, covered with sauce and mozzarella cheese.
7. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese if desired.
8. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
9. Uncover and bake 5 more minutes.
10. Serve with side of salad and your favorite dressing. Pairs well with Caesar.

*Pro-Tip: The deeper the pan, the more layers you can create!

12/05/2023

“Cheesy Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup” 🥦🧀😋

1 package broccoli cheddar soup mix
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cartons chicken broth (32 oz. each)
1 package steam-in-bag frozen broccoli cuts (do not need to microwave first)
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Turn burner on HIGH.

1. Put all ingredients in soup pot.
2. Stir liberally to mix.
3. Put lid on soup pot. Wait for it to start to boil.
4. Stir liberally again, scraping any cheese stuck to bottom of pot.
5. Turn burner to LOW-MEDIUM, and stir frequently for 20 minutes.

*Can double for large crowds, or lots of leftovers.

12/03/2023

“Baked Campfire Steak” 🥩🏕️🔥

Round Steak
Fresh Rosemary
Fresh Thyme
Dried Chives
Squeezable Garlic
Salt/Pepper
Butter
Fresh Green Beans
Instant Mashed Potatoes

Turn the oven to 350.

1. Lightly butter and spice the bottom of the pan to taste, and place steak in pan.
2. Repeat buttering and spicing to taste on opposite side of the steak, rubbing spices into this side of the steak.
3. Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to instructions on package.
4. Put fresh green beans in separate pan using fresh steak spices (including butter) to season, and toss to coat. Wrap top of veggie pan in foil.
5. Cook veggies on bottom rack, steak on top.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until steak reaches 135-140 degrees.

PRO-TIP: Rolling fresh spices inbetween your fingertips, before you put them in the pan or on the steak, will help to release the natural plant oils and make your meal more flavorful.

11/12/2023

“Say That Again” Apple-Pear Pie 🥧 🍎 🍏

One 9” pie pan
2 pre-made, roll-out pie dough crusts from the grstore
2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled/cored/chopped
1 cup D’Anjou pears, peeled/cored/chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
2/3 cup splenda
1 TBSP flour
1 TBSP lemon juice
Room Temp butter or margarine for dotting

Turn oven to 350 (F).

1. Bring crusts to room temp. Roll out one on bottom of 9” pie pan. Set aside.
2. Chop apples and pears. Put into same bowl.
3. Mix all spices, flour, Splenda, and lemon juice together. Pour evenly over apples and pears. Mix together well until “syrupy.” Pour into pie crust, and “dot” filling with 4-5 evenly spaced dots of room temp butter or margarine.
4. Cover with remaining pie crust.
5. Glaze pie crust with a little bit of milk and cinnamon.

Bake at 350 (F) for 55 - 60 minutes.

11/08/2023

“Yummy Goodness” - Cherry-Almond Cookies ❤️🍪

1 bag Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 TBSP water
1 small jar of maraschino cherries, drained
1 tsp pure almond extract

*Dust with powdered sugar to taste.
*Recipe can be doubled…or tripled!