Ideas needed

[Desertthorn]

I have friends coming over for a before Christmas dinner and I really need some ideas. It started by only a few coming and now it looks like I am going to have over a dozen.
I'm thinking lasangna and bet I could use portabellos for the noodles. Does anyone have a to-die-for recipe? and any ideas of what to serve with it?
Also my buddy is coming to visit and hes Polish by extraction. I would sure like to make something traditionally Polish to dorn the Christmas table. Low carb is better, but Ill take any ideas that I can get. I think there is a christmas bread that I could try.
Thanks in advance

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Ideas needed

I make golabki (cabbage rolls), I just leave the rice out, I dont' have an exact recipe since I sorta throw it together, here is a good polish cooking site, they have a recipe under meat and vegetables for it. Nice thing about it is you can make it up ahead of time and freeze it and it actually tastes better when you reheat it.

I guess the link might help

http://sightsandsoul.com/polish_cooking

[killerbombshell]

Re: Ideas needed

Be careful using portabellos for noodles! I often use portabellos to make little pizzas, and let me tell you, they have SO much water in them, with the ricotta cheese and sauce you may have a serious mess on your hands. I make lasagna using zucchini slices and plenty of parmesan cheese (it has a tendency to soak up water of the zucchini, which has plenty, but not nearly as much as a portabello). Along with a thick layer of garlic powder infused ground beef, this was a BIG hit at my house with all the carb eaters.

2 pounds hamburger
1 clove garlic, minced (I used about 2 tsps garlic powder, if not more, but I am a big garlic fan)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
8 ounce can no-sugar tomato sauce (I used CarbOptions pre-made tomato sauce since I was short on time. It may skew the carb count a little)
28 ounces zucchini (about 1 3/4 pounds)
15 ounces ricotta
2 eggs
Pinch chopped parsley
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded parmesan (2 ounces)

Directions:
Brown the hamburger with the garlic; drain fat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Beat the eggs with the ricotta; add a little salt and pepper and the parsley. Thinly slice the zucchini lengthwise (about 1/8" thick - do not peel. This is exceptionally difficult and takes a lot of patience. If you can't make long slices, don't worry. Littler slices overlapped work just as well).

Grease a 9x13" baking pan. Layer everything in this order: 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, 1/2 the meat sauce, 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, all of the ricotta, 1/2 the mozzarella and parmesan, 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, the rest of the meat sauce, the rest of the cheeses.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour until bubbly and zucchini is cooked well.

Makes 8-12 servings (8 servings - 8 carbs each) (10 servings - 6.5 carbs each) (12 servings - 5.5 carbs each)

[theredhead]

Re: Ideas needed

I'm wild about Linda Sue's Italian Casserole:
http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/italian_casserole.html

It tastes so much like lasagna without the noodles. The creamy topping is special and I don't even miss the noodles! It's easy to make a big batch of, too. Once I ate it over Dreamfield's spaghetti noodles and that was good too, but not necessary. Good luck!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Ideas needed

Thanks guys.
MOG what a great suggestion, I am sure my bud will love cabbage rolls and I could make a few without the rice for me
Killer, your absolutely right about the mushrooms, I have seen some large zucchini in the market so I will use those. Thanks for the recipe.
Laurie, what a great site. Thanks, I've added it to my favorites. Lynne

[sadie147]

Re: Ideas needed

I'm wild about Linda Sue's Italian Casserole:

http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/italian_casserole.html

It tastes so much like lasagna without the noodles. The creamy topping is special and I don't even miss the noodles! It's easy to make a big batch of, too. Once I ate it over Dreamfield's spaghetti noodles and that was good too, but not necessary. Good luck!

I"m going to second this! This casserole is awesome. I've made it several times. I serve it to the faimly over large egg noodles, I have it over 'riced' cauliflower.

It's even better as leftovers.