Summer Series - Sausage Zuchinni Lasagna

Sausage Zucchini lasagna is one of my favorite garden treats. It is delicious. This will be one of the most time consuming recipes on the blog to date, as you will fry the zucchini in smaller 1/8 inch size slices. However, it is worth the work. Here is what you will need:

3 zuchinnis

2 eggs

1/4 cup of milk

1/4 cup Bread Crumbs

1/4 cup of flour

Cracked Pepper and Salt to Flavor

1 lb of Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage (Crumbles)

2 cups of sauce

Fresh sliced garlic

Oregano

Basil

Choice of Oil to Fry - Olive or Coconut

1 lb. of grated mozzarella cheese

(You can vary your choice of Italian cheeses)

You will need 2 bowls. One for the eggs and milk (scrambled) One of the flour bread crumbs cracked pepper, salt, oregano, and basil. Next, slice the zucchini in 1/8th inch slices. Precut the 3 zucchinis so that you can cook them all at once. Frying is pretty basic. Dip the slices in the egg and then coat them with the batter mixture on both sides. Lightly brown each side until the center is completely tender. Set aside the fried zucchini. Next fry the sausage as crumbles not slices. Set aside. Grate the cheese and prepare the sauce.

Layer the bottom row with zucchini and layer on top of zucchini with the sauce, sausage, cheese and additional seasoning and garlic. Continue this pattern with multiple layers until you reach the top of the pan. 

Preheat the oven for 350. Bake the casserole dish for 30 - 40 minutes. Take out and let cool for 10 mins. Next, manga!

Summer Series - Salt Potatoes Omelet

Salt Potatoes are a regional delicacy. Summer time would not be the same without them in Upstate New York. Here is a great recipe for the left over salt potatoes that is a great breakfast omelet.

Ingredients

Salt Potatoes Largely Diced

8 eggs

1/4 milk

Bleu Cheese Dressing

Bacon Bits (Fresh)

Shredded Cabbage and Carrots

Green Onions Chopped

Italian Seasoning

Cajun Seasoning

Cracked Pepper

In a skillet coated with a cooking oil (Preheated Medium Heat) fry the cabbage, potatoes carrots green onions until lightly browned. (Salt potatoes are cooked so frying should be about 7-9 minutes over a medium heat) In a separate bowl, scramble the eggs and milk add the rest of the ingredients together. Scramble the eggs in your mixture and you have an amazing omelet that is refreshing and a great use of left over salt potatoes.

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Summer Series - Pizza On The Grill

Pizza on the grill is as close as your going to get to Wood Fired Pizza. Quick and easy, it is a great summer treat. The most common pizza I enjoy is a white sauce pizza with mushrooms. I will provide this for our friends and family to enjoy. However, you can fire up any pizza on the grill. Generally, just like a wood fire grill, the pizza will cook in 3 - 5 minutes. Gas Grills as like convection ovens and your pizza cooks evenly as long as you keep the grill cover shut.

Ingredients

Pizza Dough

Olive Oil (Regular)

Garlic (Fresh)

Mozzarella (Grated) 

Asiago Cheese (Grated)

Wild or Domestic Mushrooms (Roland Abalone Are Excellent If Pre Cooked)

Italian Seasoning

Cracked Pepper

Cracked Salt

Second Recipe - Basil Mozzie

Same as above for the Pizza Dough

Use a red sauce as a base

Mozzarella slices

Fresh Basil from the garden

Roll your dough to a Sicilian thin crust consistency. A random oval shape is pretty typical. Spread a nice base of olive oil and crushed garlic as a base. Add the grated cheese mix on top of your base and your precooked mushrooms. (Precooked recipe on the blog) 

Prior to heating the grill, prepare the cooking surface with an oil based brushing to ensure your pizza will not stick to the grill. Some people use a spray, however I like to use a brushed on oil and I am not sure what the propellant sprays have for chemicals. Set the temperature for a medium high heat and ensure that it is a peak temperature prior to grilling your pizza. Place the pizza on the grill and cover immediately. Check the pizza at a 2 minute and 3 minute interval. Most pizzas will take about 3-5 minutes. Until you get use to cooking pizza on the grill, check in one minute intervals. It is okay if you get a wood fired crust that is a bit burnt on the bottom. Your first attempt allows you to adjust as your learn.

Tip: You can get wood for your gas grill at most stores that sell accessories. This adds to the experience.