Author: Chef Cloud Wine

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
3/4 pound mushrooms, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
8 cups spinach, rinsed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook lasagna in boiling salted water in a large pot until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat one half tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots, stir and cook until onions have softened. Add mushrooms and garlic and continue to cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid, 2 or 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in chopped tomatoes(include liquid), sun-dried tomatoes, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thick. Season with salt and pepper.

To make the white sauce, heat remaining oil in a heavy pan over low heat. Add flour, whisk constantly until the flour begins to turn a light brown. Remove pan from heat and whisk in cream. Season with nutmeg and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat and set aside.

To assemble, spread 1/2 cup of the mushroom sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish, add one layer of noodles, then another 1/2 cup of mushroom sauce. Arrange a single layer of the fresh spinach leaves over the sauce and drizzle them with 1/3 cup of the white sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan cheese over the spinach and top with another layer of the noodles. Repeat 5 times.

In a preheated 375 degree F (190 degrees C) oven bake for 40 minutes. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked couscous
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8 green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Bring chicken broth to a boil in a 2 quart or larger sauce pan and stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin. Add green onions, red pepper, cilantro, corn and beans and toss to coat.

Fluff the couscous well, breaking up any chunks. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve at once or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound thinly sliced sirloin steak strips
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 medium onion, sliced
10 slices provolone cheese
1 loaf French bread
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Pinot Noir or other dry red wine
1/2 cup prepared horseradish (optional)
1/2 cup brown mustard (optional)

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef, and cook until browned. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper and onion; cook and stir until starting to become tender, about 5 minutes.

In a slow cooker, combine the beef broth, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes and red wine. Transfer the beef and vegetables to the slow cooker, and stir to blend. Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, until beef is extremely tender.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Drain the liquid from the slow cooker, and save for dipping. Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise like a submarine sandwich. Mix together the horseradish and mustard; spread onto the inside of the loaf. Place slices of provolone cheese on both sides of the loaf, then fill with the beef and vegetables. Close the loaf, and wrap the entire sandwich with aluminum foil.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. For crunchier bread, you can bake it without the aluminum foil. Slice into servings, and serve with the juices from the slow cooker for dipping.

Ingredients

3 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/2 pound diced cooked ham
3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 medium carrot, chopped
DRESSING:
5 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider or red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

In a large bowl, toss peas, ham, tomatoes, onions and carrot; set aside. combine dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. pour over the salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.