Tips: This bean dip is ideal on crostini or as a sandwich filler. It makes enough for the Lasagna Rustica and an appetizer. Use purchased roasted garlic in a jar to save time; two tablespoons equals the pulp in one head of garlic. The spread can be made up to one week ahead, and then refrigerated in an airtight container. Note: If you don't have tahini, it can be omitted.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate the cloves). Wrap garlic head in foil. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until tender; let cool 10 minutes. Separate cloves; squeeze to extract garlic pulp. Discard skins.
Combine garlic pulp and remaining ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides of processor bowl occasionally. Serve with French bread.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1996
Tip: Assemble lasagna. Cover tightly; freeze. Thaw for 24 hours in the refrigerator, then bake according to directions.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Combine Garlicky Bean Spread, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper, tofu, spinach, and ricotta cheese in a large bowl. Stir well; set aside.
Spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over pasta sauce; top with one-third of spinach mixture and about 1 cup pasta sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles, spinach mixture, and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover and bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let lasagna stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1996
Tips: Most of the sodium comes from the purchased marinara sauce. If you're watching your sodium intake, choose a low-sodium sauce or make your own. Check the label for a six- to eight-count to ensure large canned artichoke hearts. Cook pasta ahead and rinse with hot water before serving.
Photo by: HOWARD L. PUCKETT
Preheat oven to 400°.
Place 24 artichokes in a colander, pressing with the back of a spoon to remove juice from artichokes; set aside. (Reserve any remaining artichokes for another use.)
Combine egg whites and next 5 ingredients (egg whites through pepper); stir with a whisk. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, dredge artichokes in flour and dip in egg white mixture. Add 12 artichokes to skillet; cook 3 minutes turning to brown on all sides. Remove artichokes from skillet; place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Set aside. Repeat procedure with remaining 12 artichokes and egg white mixture.
Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until hot. Serve over hot pasta and heated marinara sauce. Sprinkle with parsley.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1996
Tips: Any combination of salad greens will work, but we used prepackaged greens labeled "spring mix." Toast pine nuts on a baking sheet at 350º for 5 minutes. They burn quickly, so watch them. Look for mirin in the Asian section of your grocery store.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine soy sauce and remaining ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 90 seconds, and stir well. Pour dressing over salad, tossing gently to coat.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1996
Tips: Use real maple syrup instead of pancake syrup. The flavor is worth the extra cost. Peel the top half of the apples, or they may explode in the oven. Use raisins in place of dried cranberries, if desired. Shave white chocolate with a vegetable peeler. Also, be sure to store the chocolate at room temperature because cold can make it crumble.
Photo by: HOWARD L. PUCKETT
Preheat oven to 375°.
Combine first 8 ingredients. Stir well; set aside.
Peel top half of each apple; place in a shallow roasting pan. Fill centers of apples evenly with cranberries and pecans. Pour cranberry-maple mixture over apples. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until tender, basting apples twice with syrup from pan. To serve, drizzle with remaining syrup. Sprinkle with white chocolate.
Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1996
Back To
A Taste of Italy
