Hello, Welcome to Marcia’s Cottage. ♡ I’m so happy to see you today my friend. ♡ Shall we have a little tea. ♡
There are certain people, places, and stories that I return to every summer….
Ones that inspire me for the season. Simple pleasures. I’m one of those ladies that loves to be inspired. How about you dear reader? How are you inspired?
If you are a regular visitor to Marcia’s Cottage, you know that my garden inspires me.
So, early every morning I wander outside to our
little heaven on earth and begin the usual dead heading of flowers, my roses, and weeding.
Taking care to to give extra water during the warmer summer days.
And, as I do my little chores,
I begin thinking about the day. What I need to do. …
desire to do… or possibly even might avoid doing. (grin)
And then sometimes do some things, that I
hadn’t even planned to do.
For instance yesterday, I was puttering around the cottage,
and noticed that some of the vegetables were ripe, ready to pick, wash, and eat.
So, I started gathering everything I could..
and then of course I returned to the kitchen and began preparing my favorite summer recipe. I have 3 very good reasons why I love this recipe. 1.) I get to use my garden food 2.) There is no baking, and 3.) it is scrumptious, and easy!
Summer Lasagne
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta
1/4 cup grated parmesan
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
8 lasagne noodles, broken into thirds, cooked and drained
1 minced garlic clove
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
2 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 cup torn basil leaves
Directions
1. Combine ricotta, parmesan and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. Heat remaining oil in skillet over medium high and add garlic and tomatoes. Cook until slightly broken down, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
3. Add zucchini to skillet (with a little more oil if needed) Season with salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes until tender. Transfer to another bowl.
4. Scatter a few tomatoes over four plates. Top with one noodle, a spoonful of ricotta mixture, zucchini, and more tomatoes. Repeat layering twice, ending with noodle and tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil on top. Garnish with basil and serve. Voila!
Yes, some days are shaped by pure and simple pleasures.
