Mom’s Lasagna

Several Christmas’s ago my mom gifted my sisters and me with a leather journal full of family blessings and treasured recipes. It is a sacred heirloom. The book opens with a quote by the French artist, Paul Gauguin: “No mean woman can cook well, for it calls for a light head, a generous spirit, and a large heart.” Inside are some of my favorite recipes from my mom’s beef stew, my grandmother’s famous Thanksgiving cornbread dressing, a yummy South Carolina cheese grits, and the perfect vanilla pound cake. During these cold, wintery months, I love to make her Italian lasagna. I usually make two and save one for a later date. This week, I am hosting thirteen college boys on Spring Break and I will probably need six! Serve with a simple green salad of arugula, ribbons of Parmesan, olive oil, squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Course Main Course
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 head celery, diced
  • 2 leeks, cleaned and diced
  • 2 cups carrots, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tbsp herbes de Provence
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 rind Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 whole organic chicken
  • olive oil
  • 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Italian parsley, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup basil, roughly chopped
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • 1 avocado, optional garnish
  • 1 cup Parmigiana Reggiano, grated for garnish
  • 2 cups brown rice, prepared

Instructions

  1. Combine onion, celery, leeks, and carrots with bay leaf, herbes de Provence, oregano, salt and pepper in your soup pot. Add rind of Parmigiano.

  2. Saute in olive oil for 3-5 minutes, or until softened.

  3. Place your washed chicken in your soup pot and fill with water until chicken is covered.

  4. Allow to cook for an hour and a half. Once chicken is cooked through, turn off the heat, remove meat from the bones, and return to the pot.

  5. Add cilantro, parsley, basil, spinach and juice from one lime.

  6. In a separate pot, prepare 2 cups of brown rice and place at the bottom of each bowl, and then ladle in soup. Garnish with avocado and Parmesan Reggiano.

Bread and Honey's Blessing of the Week

May our lives reflect the Truth:

Hope is real

Healing is possible

Life is a privilege

We exist for a purpose

Grace is available

Love prevails

God has us.

Amen.

weekly_tip_for_souljoy

To set the ambiance, enjoy this Italian perfection with Andrea Bocelli.

6 Comments
  • Ramsey Corn

    March 14, 2022 at 6:57 am

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️so good!!

  • Jackie

    March 14, 2022 at 7:52 am

    Delicious! Can you share some of your other favorite recipes from your family cookbook?

  • Sallye Galloway

    March 14, 2022 at 9:37 am

    Can you share your cheese grits and vanilla pound cake?

  • Diane Tucker

    March 14, 2022 at 11:01 am

    Love homemade Lasagna! I use to make it all the time! You are amazing, hosting 13 college boys for Spring break! God Bless you!

  • Laura KOLB

    March 14, 2022 at 2:36 pm

    You are a blessing!

  • Melanie

    March 14, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    I am so excited to be on bread and honey !! Cannot wait to make this!! You are amazing Farrell, l thanks for sharing.. you inspire us to keep on cookin!! It All matters, is our Motto in our family!!