Fake lasagna, spilled drinks and more

Warning: Don’t read this if you thought my diaper advice was unhygenic.

I would say this afternoon was typical for our house if you could apply such a word to anything in our family. . . At about five o’clock I told the kids they could make smoothies with the bananas that had been sitting in the refrigerator for about a month. In the meantime I was ambitiously removing the bottom glass shelf and drawers of said refrigerator because I couldn’t remember the last time it was so empty. . .at that point our electrician and his assistant walked into the house about an hour earlier than expected. They said the door was open (entirely possible) and mentioned the “tizmoret” (orchestra), probably referring to the 2yo at the baking tins and possibly to my son’s bass guitar (was he playing then? I can’t remember). When I went to help them (they were fixing a light fixture in a bedroom) one of the kids making the smoothies spilled the mixture all over the counter. Back in the kitchen, I scraped the spilled batter into a bowl and let the kids eat it (first unhygenic reference). I nixed the idea of offering some to the electrician, and instead paid him with my last shekel (he forgave the NIS 10 I lacked) and then managed to put the refrigerator back together (still empty unfortunately) while the kids assembled supper (recipe below). In the meantime my 5yo was straightening up the living room when he became distressed by the food on the bottom of his sandal from a few days before. The 2yo insisted on examining it (we don’t quash curiosity around here!) and the next thing I know she is tasting it and saying yum (second and final unhygenic reference); at any rate she left off pretty quickly without any intervention.

Frugal Lowfat Dairy Fake Lasagna
(Lasagna noodles in Israel are about five times the price of regular pasta)

Layer tomato sauce,* cooked noodles (I usually have spirals available) and cheese mixture** two or three times in a microwave casserole dish, ending with tomato sauce. I use enough noodles in each layer so that it is hard to see the sauce underneath. Smush the cheese into the noodles as you go so that the mixture is compact. Cook on high till solid in the center. Cooking time depends on the size and shape of the dish as well as the quantity; a large oval casserole takes about 20 minutes. Of course you could put it in the oven as well.

*Mine is homemade in advance but you could use bottled marinara sauce.
**I use Tenuva “gevina le-afiya” (white cheese for cheese cake), eggs, and thyme. I use about one egg for 350 grams of cheese but this recipe is very forgiving.

Comments

  1. no ricotta in israel?? doesn’t sound too appetizing but I bet the kids loved it:)

  2. mother in israel says

    I’m not insulted ;-). . .it’s not what I would make for company but if the sauce is high quality it’s not bad at all. The kids do like it.

  3. I have a great recipe for italian tomato sauce that everyone raves about. I never buy jar sauce because making my own is always a joy and I freeze the leftovers in jars so I always have on hand for a simple meal..Also, I like to know what goes into my sauce AND its cheaper too:) Let me know if you want the recipe.

  4. Sounds like a good recipe- I think I’ll try it! Thanks for stopping by my blog by the way…

  5. mother in israel says

    Thanks Amishav, I find your blog fascinating!!
    Stephanie, I rarely try new recipes but please post it anyway!

  6. SephardiLady says

    LOL.
    I also use different noodles to make budget “lasangas.” Even though we don’t pay 5 times the amount for lasanga noodles, with the sales I pick up, lasanga noodles can be 3-4 times the price.

  7. mother in israel says

    SL, great minds think alike!