MY Ultimate Lasagna

When Ben & I moved in together I was a decent cook, but nothing close to Shanny Dow,

my mother-in-law. SHE is truly the gold standard for all things domestic

—especially cooking & cleanliness. (Good thing I love her…)

On nights when I had made a particularly good meal and was feeling brave, I would inquire

(to Ben) as to whether it came close to his mom’s. Much more often than not, he would simply shake his head side to side. (I, after all, asked for it.) This brutally honest side of Ben is a trait I’ve learned to appreciate over the years; he doesn’t throw compliments around. Therefore when he says he likes something, he REALLY likes it!

Tonight I made yet another attempt, as I do every few months, at Ben's favorite meal- lasagna.

I was feeling extra good about this one (partially due to the good red wine—see below) so I plated a hefty piece and just stood back to watch.

He took a big steaming bite, closed his eyes, smiled enthusiastically and mumbled, “Baby!...”

I didn't even have to ask this time. 

FINALLY!  After years of endless Food Network watching, experimenting & recipe trying, and 10+ years of mediocre attempts... a KEEPER!

I can’t give exact measurements since I don’t cook that way and typically eyeball/taste things along the way; here are a few hints:

• extra tomato sauce

• lots of sausage

• hunks of pepperoni—a layer on its own

• tiny pinch on cinnamon

• BIG pinch of flour (all 5 fingers)

• splash of cream

• good red wine—also for drinking while assembling

• a BRICK of mozzarella—more than the recipe calls for & grate it yourself because it always tastes better

* Inspired from Guy Fieri’s “Blazy’s Pepperoni-Studded Lasagna” & Tyler Florence’s “Ultimate Lasagna” from http://www.foodnetwork.com/.

To be enjoyed on a day where fat & calories do NOT matter because I don’t even want to know…

Kaden afterwards