In the news

That's interesting. Seems Prince Edward Island, famed for it's lovely ocean beaches, is *buying* tons and tons of sand from Nova Scotia. Apparently they are hosting the beach volleyball for the Canada Games this summer and their red clay sand isn't the proper sort demanded by the International Beach Volleyball whosits. PEI sand compacts and the proper sand must be more "fluffy", so that when you jump and land, your foot sort of sinks into the sand instead of thudding on the top of it like normal dirt, i guess. It's a safety thing, less likely to cause injury.

In Canada, people hunt. There are usually regulated hunting seasons for most people though the First Nations people, i *think* are exempted due to historical treaties. Moose are much rarer than deer so our province only issues about 330 moose hunting licenses each year. If you want one your names goes in the hat and it's drawn like a lottery. This one fellow has never applied before but decided to this year. Officials drew the first few names, but i don't know how he was in the position to draw names unless they just asked some people at random in the crowd. Thing is, he drew his own name out of the hat/bucket/barrel! He was being watched so there's no question of cheating.

God, there are some grisly things in today's paper. A man accused of killing his girlfriend's little girl, a man killed his girlfriend in a drugged jealousy fit and chopped her up, someone else starved their child, all sorts. I just don't understand how people can do these horrible things to each other, i really don't, especially to children. I know these people have some serious mental issues and in a couple of the cases, drugs seem to be involved but even so! The starving child case, the parents were convicted, the mother of murder and the father of manslaughter. The mother testified that she didn't notice the weight loss (44 pound 7 year old down to about 20 pounds and you don't notice?) The father may not have been living with them and says he only saw the child a couple of times after they moved to a new city and he never noticed either?? "During the trial, the mother told the jury that the idea that her daughter could die “never entered my head." " That just blows my mind.

It's been dreary and rainy since last Friday and it's forecast to be the same right through the weekend. Welcome Nova Scotia summer. Blah. It's not cold so all the humidity makes it kind of sticky. I suppose i shouldn't complain. The worst is yet to come. The temps are still only in the high teens and very low 20s. Just wait until it's 30 and humid. *sigh*

Vegetarian Recipes! Nom!

Oh these look good!

Mushroom Lasagna with three cheeses
Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil 15 mL

1 1/4 lb. fresh mixed Mushrooms (white, crimini, shiitake, portabella),
coarsely chopped 625 g
1/2 cup chopped onion 125 mL
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 25 mL
1 1/2 tsp dried basil (or 2 tbsp/30mL fresh) 7 mL
1 1/2 cups 2% cottage cheese 375 mL
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Asiago cheese 375 mL
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 125 mL
1 jar (435-500 mL) Alfredo sauce
1/2 pkg (360 g) fresh lasagna noodles or 4 sheets
3 cups baby spinach 750 mL

Method

In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms and onions 5 –7 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Stir in vinegar and basil; cook 2 minutes longer. Set aside to cool. Combine cottage cheese and garlic.
In another bowl, mix mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; to assemble lasagna: spread a thin layer of Alfredo sauce over bottom of greased deep 8-inch (20 cm) square pan. Top with a sheet of pasta, cutting to fit pan. Spoon evenly: 1/3 mushroom mixture on noodles, then ½ cup (125 mL) cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup (250 mL) spinach, 1/3 cup (75 mL) alfredo sauce and ½ cup (125 mL) of mozzarella mixture. Repeat layers twice more. Top with final sheet of pasta and remaining Alfredo sauce and mozzarella mixture. Cover pan with greased foil. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Tips: Substitute 9 dried lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions for fresh lasagna. Drain and rinse under cold water. Layer as directed, cutting noodles to fit. Reheat covered in 350°F (180°C) oven or reheat individual pieces in microwave.

Variation: Substitute Roasted Garlic or Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce for plain Alfredo sauce.


Penne with Mushroom Rose sauce
Ingredients

4 cups dry whole wheat penne rigate 1L
3 tbsp olive oil 45 mL
1 cup chopped onion 250 mL
1 lb. sliced fresh Mushrooms 500 g
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil 10 mL
1 tsp ground black pepper 5 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1 can (28oz) pureed tomatoes 750 - 800 ml
1 1/2 cups half and half (10%) cream 375 mL
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 125 mL

Garnish: fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Method

In large saucepan, cook penne according to package directions; drain reserving a little of pasta water. Keep warm.
In large skillet heat oil over medium heat, add onion and sauté 2-3 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until mushrooms release their liquid and start to brown. Add garlic, basil, pepper and salt; sauté 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, bring to boil, reduce heat and add cream. Simmer 5 minutes or until heated through. Pour over drained pasta, toss to coat well adding a little pasta water if too thick. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley if using. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings

Tip: 4 cups/1 L penne is about 12 oz/375g. Penne rigate is the penne with the ridges that catches holds the sauce.