Homemade Lasagna


Last night I pulled the heaviest pan of lasagna out of the oven, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it had to weigh at least five pounds. This isn’t just a dinner, it’s a full-on event — the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell amazing and leaves plenty for the next day. My cousin is the one who hooked me on ZENB pasta, and I instantly fell in love with their Yellow Pea Lasagna Sheets. They bake beautifully, hold up to all the layers, and my kids absolutely love them. Best of all, they’re oven-ready, which means no boiling required. Sadly, ZENB has decided to stop all sales to the United States. Their website says products are still available in some retail stores while supplies last, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re gone. Luckily, I can still find the lasagna sheets at Ocean State Job Lot here in town, though who knows for how long. Even if you can’t get your hands on them, don’t worry — just use any lasagna noodles you have on hand. If you’re using regular noodles, you’ll want to start by cooking them in salted water until they’re just tender, then toss them with a little olive oil so they don’t stick.

The best part about making lasagna is that it’s two dinners in one. I always refrigerate the leftovers overnight, then the next day I cut the lasagna in half. One half goes back in the fridge for quick lunches or second helpings, and the other half I wrap up and freeze for another night. It’s like having a homemade meal ready to go on a busy evening — and that makes all the effort of layering and baking feel even more worth it.

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My Take on a Delicious Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb

The other day, I had the absolute pleasure of tasting my cousin’s grilled butterflied leg of lamb, and I have to say I was completely blown away. The flavor, the tenderness, the perfect garlic and herb notes, it was incredible, and I knew I had to try making it myself.

She told me she originally purchased her lamb at Whole Foods, but the closest one to me is about an hour away in Glen Mills, PA. Luckily, she mentioned that Aldi’s also carries great butterflied legs of lamb, so I headed over, grabbed a package, and got started.

I marinated my lamb with pressed garlic, cumin, Dulse granules, Celtic Fine Salt, and Ken’s balsamic dressing, letting it soak in all those flavors overnight. The next day, I fired up my Traeger at 450°F and grilled it to perfection. The result? Juicy, flavorful, and savory goodness that made me feel like I was sitting right there at my cousin’s table all over again.

If you’ve ever had a moment where you taste something so good you just have to make it yourself, you know exactly what I’m talking about. This lamb recipe is easy to make at home and delivers that same restaurant-quality flavor without the hassle.

Check out the full recipe below, and get ready to wow your friends and family with this unforgettable grilled butterflied leg of lamb!

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California Vacation Coming to an End

Having brunch with Aunt Sherie and the kids at Leo & Lily in Woodland Hills, CA.

Our California vacation is coming to a close here shortly. We started off in Aptos, spending a few days relaxing at the beach and celebrating my brother’s 50th birthday. The ocean was calm and peaceful, and it gave us a chance to just slow down and enjoy some family time.

From there, I rented a car and we made the drive down to Los Angeles to see Grandma, who is turning 101 years old on Sunday. We stayed with our Aunt while we were there, which made it feel even more like family time.

Then today was the big drive up to my dad’s house in San Jose. What should have been a 5.5 hour drive turned into a long, tiring 7.5 hours instead. And of course, after all that driving, I still had to cook dinner for eight people because family still needs to eat.

Now it’s almost time to head back to Maryland, get the kids ready for school, and settle back into daily life. It’s been a full trip—long drives, family meals, celebrations, and plenty of memories to take home with us.


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