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
Ingredients
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 head of celery, diced
- 1 leek, diced
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp Herbes de Provence
- 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 1 rind of Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 whole organic chicken
- 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated for garnish
- olive oil
- 1 cup basil, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup Fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 avocado, optional garnish
- salt and pepper
- 1 cups brown rice, prepared
Instructions
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Combine onion, celery, leek, carrots, and rind of Parmesan, with bay leaf, herbes de Provence, oregano, salt, and pepper in your soup pot.
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Saute in olive oil for 3-6 minutes, or until softened.
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Place your chicken in your soup pot and fill with water until chicken is covered.
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Allow to cook for an hour and a half.
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Turn off the heat, remove meat from the bones, and return to the pot.
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Add cilantro, parsley, basil, spinach, and grated cup of Parmesan. Squeeze lime over soup. Taste and then add more salt and pepper if needed.
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Place brown rice in bottom of bowl, ladle in soup, and then garnish with avocado and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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As an added treat, sprinkle homemade croutons on top! (Recipe in SOULFULL!)
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.

Ramsey Corn
March 14, 2022 at 6:57 am❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️so good!!
Jackie
March 14, 2022 at 7:52 amDelicious! Can you share some of your other favorite recipes from your family cookbook?
Sallye Galloway
March 14, 2022 at 9:37 amCan you share your cheese grits and vanilla pound cake?
Diane Tucker
March 14, 2022 at 11:01 amLove 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 pmYou are a blessing!
Melanie
March 14, 2022 at 6:47 pmI 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!!