Go Meatless Monday is recognized by cities and countries all around the world. It's a day people unite around food. Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from sheep (or cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo) milk whey left over from the production of cheese.
The production of ricotta in the Italian peninsula is old, dating back to the Bronze Age. In the second millennium BC ceramic vessels called milk boilers started to appear frequently and were apparently unique to the peninsula. These were designed to boil milk at high temperatures and prevent the milk from boiling over.
Like mascarpone, a Northern-Italian cheese, ricotta is a favorite compliment to many Italian desserts, such as cheesecakes and cannoli. There are also a variety of different cookies that include ricotta as an ingredient.
Ricotta can be beaten smooth and mixed with condiments, such as sugar, cinnamon, orange flower water, strawberries, and occasionally chocolate shavings, and served as a dessert.
Miracle Lasagna
Serves 10
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce
or Prego® Tomato Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce
6 uncooked lasagna noodles
15 ounces (1 container) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 8 ounces)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Spread about 1 cup of the sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 uncooked noodles, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and 1 cup sauce. Top with the remaining 3 uncooked noodles and the remaining sauce. Cover the dish.
Bake at 375°F. for 1 hour. Uncover the dish and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Garlic Bread Recipe
Serves 12
1 loaf (16 ounces) Italian bread
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Lawry's® Garlic Powder with Parsley
Preheat broiler. Split bread in half horizontally and place, cut sides up, on work surface. Mix butter, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder; spread on bread. Place on broiler pan. Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until golden.
Nutritional Information (amount per serving)
Calories 173; Carbohydrates 19g; Cholesterol 21mg; Fiber 1g; Sodium 288mg; Fat 9g; Protein 4g
Garlic Nutrition: Garlic can be used in the treatment of heart and blood related diseases. Extracts of garlic were mixed with antimony and butter and were applied to the scalp in order to encourage the growth of new hair and strengthen the existing ones. Garlic oils were used in the treatment of infectious diseases.
Garlic can be used to inhibit microbial growth due to the compound called Allicin. The compound is sulfur based and is not inherently present in garlic but when it is chopped. This is the liquid that oozes out from garlic and has a pungent smell. It has been studied that this compound can be used to inhibit the growth of bacteria as well as fungal growth.
According to studies, garlic can boost immune function by stimulating white blood cells.
Garlic has been popularly known to have compounds that serve as blood thinners. These agents can be used to minimize the risks of heart ailments as well as strokes. However, this is only applicable to patients or individuals with the tendency to develop blood clots along the arterial lining, causing clogging and possible blockage.
Carbs and diabetes: People with diabetes must always focus on carbohydrates. Depending on individual health challenges, reliable sources indicate that most people with diabetes should not consume more than about 130 grams of carbohydrate each day.
* Sources: Campbell's Kitchen, McCormick, Garlic Benefits
Campbell offers 90 soups across our soup portfolio that have been reduced in sodium, including many varieties of Campbell’s® Condensed soups, and in our lines of Campbell’s® Chunky™ and Select Harvest® soups. Our complete line of Campbell’s® Healthy Request® soups meet all criteria for healthy foods, such as being controlled for fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and containing a positive nutrient, such as vitamin A.
McCormick & Company makes Lawry's Garlic Powder with Parsley and is devoted to making food better through research on the health benefits of herbs and spices as well as searching for new ways to give people healthy eating choices.
Coming this month: Warm up with easy-to-make beef stew this month. Something about cabbage, the fabulous slicer and English muffins, Chili Verde and creme brulee. Don't miss any of these tasty sensations. Subscribe to Being Grand by email now.