Talin’s Mouth-watering 2 Layer Penne Lasagna

I know you are probably thinking Penne Lasagna? I’ve made that possible. Who says that you always need to put Lasagna dough sheets to make Lasagna? Not to me. As long as you have Pasta Noodles of any kind that is large to mid size. I am not saying the Acini De Peppe, Orzo, and small noodles you use for soup and all that. I am saying Penne, Spaghetti, even Rotini. I have tried, tested and tasted. It is delicious! Well, let’s get started.

Depending on the number of people that you are serving in your family or your friends. It is in your preference.
This is for a family or friends of 4 or 5.

You will need:

– 900g of Penne Rigate Package (depends on your pan size as well and number of people)
– **Onions or Garlic are Optional. (It is your choice)**
– Oregano
– Basil
– Tomato Paste
– Tomato’s
– Mozzarella Cheese
– Parmesan Cheese
– Cottage Cheese
– Extra Lean Ground Beef
– Sea Salt – (Never use table salt) **To your added preference**
– Grinded Black cracked Pepper
– All Spice

To begin:

1) Mash the extra Lean Ground beef into small pieces, cook it well done in a pan. That is where you will add just the Tomato Paste and Sea Salt. add about 4tblsp full of tomato paste and 1 and a half tsp of sea salt. (Add water, but not too much) You do not want your Lasagna to be Soggy. Add just enough to mix the tomato paste with them together.

2) In a separate small mixing bowl add 1 tbsp Oregano, as well as Basil, and all spice – Mix them together

3) Wash and Slice 4 fresh tomato’s – use Tomato on a Vine or Roma Tomatoes. put them aside.

4) In a mixing bowl add the grated Mozzarella Cheese and Cottage cheese. Mix it together.

To make the Penne:

1) Make sure you put a little more than half a large pot of water

2) Boil the water and put Sea Salt and as soon as it boils, add the Penne. (Never put any kind of noodles in a non-boiled water, it will stick to the bottom of the pot and stick to the other noodles)

3) Immediately stir the Penne so that all the noodles will become tender evenly and keep mixing ever 2-3 minutes. Let it boil on medium heat for about 10 minutes. If it needs more time, then go to about 11-12 minutes. MAX. (Do not overcook and make it mushy. Take it out while it’s al dente)

4) Drain and set aside to make 2 equal parts of the Penne Rigate, but first Mix the ground beef/tomato paste mix with the penne before Parting them. Add the Oregano, Basil and All spice mix with them as well.
In a Medium to Large Pyrex Pan:

1) Add cooking oil spray to the whole pan.

2) Add the first layer of the Penne and even it out.

3) Add the cheese mix – then Put Parmesan Cheese

4) Add the layer of the Tomato’s

– **for the Last layer – Repeat Steps 2-4 but add #4 first, then #3– Add the Parmesan Cheese last.

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Oven Settings:

– Bring the Oven to Convection – to 375 degrees before you put the Lasagna in.

– Let it cook for 30 Minutes

and there you have it.
Penne Lasagna. Bon Appetit! Enjoy!

What is Your Coffee Taste? Starbucks, McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s or Other

In the past few years there has been a debate going on with what coffee taste people go for and what they think is a better choice to drink coffee. I am sure those who drink coffee or other beverages at these places such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s know what I am talking about when it comes to taste and when it comes to good quality coffee. Someone from the states spent so much money for a cup of coffee from Starbucks, adding so many shots of espresso and so many flavours put into it. I don’t know about you, buck I wouldn’t spend so much money on a cup of coffee. I’d rather go to McDonald’s where you spend way less and you get free refills too. Starbucks is often pricey, and the coffee’s in my opinion are not that spectacular in my opinion. In the end it is all about a person’s preference right? I am not trying to put Starbucks down or anything, but it depends on a persons taste. It takes an acquired taste to differentiate right?

Tim Horton’s coffee and other hot beverages were my favourite, but the cups are not well insulated and I end up burning my hand holding it, McDonald’s cups however have well insulation and the cover cap is also great quality too and you get more at McDonald’s then you do at Tim Horton’s, plus way less and sometimes McDonald’s offers promotions of Free Coffee or Latte’s the small size but then again it is free refill only on the coffee’s though and it tastes so much better then the other ones. Now I don’t know what taste you have when it comes to coffee. I am sure a lot of people have Tassimo, Keurig, and some sort of specialty coffee maker at home.

Now for me, McDonald’s coffee has this incredible and great taste to it and I have never been disappointed with my coffee. At Tim Horton’s sometimes it comes out to be too strong, sometimes just right, sometimes not that great tasting, and they don’t even mix the ingredients properly in the coffee or other flavoured coffees that they make like the French Vanilla, White Hot Chocolate, Cafe Mocha’s, and other beverages, sometimes they get it right, and a lot of times they don’t get it right. I have never had problems with McDonald’s coffee. I don’t know what you like and what your taste is for certain brands of coffee. Do you like making your own coffee at home or do you like to grab a quick coffee from your local coffee shop? Each Coffee shop is different and they all have something good for everybody, but it all comes down to your taste and your preference. Tim Horton’s has this Roll up the rim to win deal where you win a Toyota Rav 4, Barbecue, Food and beverage prizes and other things, but you have a 1 in 6 chances to win, and a lot of them say please play again or all you win is a coffee or donut. It is not fair. Each one should be a winner.

Are there any other coffee shops or cafes around you that you like their coffee? If so, what do you think of it? What is your taste? What is your opinion on a great cup of coffee or other hot beverages served by your favourite brands? It can be a brand where you take home and make it yourself. Not necessarily a coffee shop or cafe. It is all to your liking and your opinion. I’d like to hear from you.

Enjoy your coffee! 🙂

I Am In Love With My KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Since I got my KitchenAid Stand Mixer life has gotten so much simpler with cooking and baking different types of food, and My hands don’t get tired anymore with mixing with a whisk and a hand held food mixer. Now my kitchenaid stand mixer does all the work and it is so beautiful. I have a flashy white one and its an ultra power plus one. Very good quality. Well, even if its an Artisan, Classic, Professional, all of them do a great job in mixing the batter or mixture well. I make all sorts of things into it. I love the wire whip, kneading dough, and all the accessories. my next purchase is going to be the pasta maker accessory and the other ones. Anything else in the kitchen doesn’t quite add up to the kitchenaid stand mixer. Can’t believe all the colours it comes with now. I have seen it at the stores and there is Pink, Orange, Copper Orange, Black, Red, Purple, Tangerine Orange, White, and you can even customize your own kitchen aid stand mixer if you special order it, but why do that when you can buy it at the store instantly right? LOL.. But it all depends on what your preference is, but I love my baby and it is so beautiful. Each household, should have one of these. It is a great tool in the kitchen. If you have one, I am sure you can relate to me and the passion you have for it. I even kiss mine after I use it for good luck for the next time I use it. I love it so much. These kitchenaid mixers are not cheap either. They happen to be a lot of money if they are not on sale. Some are over 500 bucks, some are over 700 bucks, but if you get it on sale its like 250, 300 bucks, but then again they do run expensive because of the high quality and the way it is made. So I can for sure relate as to why it is expensive. This baby is gorgeous. I will be using it today to make my cake. 🙂 I have a lot of things to do today. I will be cooking and baking this week so it will be ready for Christmas. I can’t wait to use it today. I use this baby at least 3 times a week. If you need tips and tricks on how to work it and what speed, just let me know. Depends on what you make.

This would be a great purchase or a gift to your loved ones or someone very special who loves cooking in your family. They would love it. 🙂

Enjoy and have a great Christmas and Happy New Year almost.

🙂