to my favorite twin

Hey there sexy woman! I just want to make a toast to you, my totally awesome twin sister, a toast to a year of better communication between us via our new blog! Oh yeah! We rock. Remember that T shirt idea we had maybe 6 years back? "Born to kill, love to maim, live to die" Oh, we are just so cute! I thought that it would be a nice theme for the blog, but, I really like the pink background and all that you've chosen. We'll probably have more people visit it without skull and crossbones and such. Except Klare, 'cause she's a pirate, and Dani, who, well, is into all things dark and deadly. I'm excited for us to do this together. :)
For my first recipe post, I wanted to share something that I've made many times. We'll get into new and exotic stuff later...
Black Bean Lasagna
9 Lasagna Noodles (8 oz.)
2, 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
(I sometimes use 2 cans of chili, a can or so of black beans and then don't add any ground beef or turkey; also I like to add freshly cooked or leftover rice or quinoa - they're good fillers; not sure how much, maybe 1 1/2 cups?)
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 C chopped green sweet pepper (we usually don't add this just 'cause we rarely buy it and I've used carrots or green beans instead)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2, 15 oz. cans tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (really whatever version of canned tomatoes you want)
1/2 - 1 lb. ground beef or turkey, if not using chili
1/4 C snipped fresh cilantro (YUM!)
1, 12 oz. container cottage cheese
1, 8 oz. pkg. Neufchatel (reduced fat cream cheese)
1/4 C light sour cream
*for the last 3 ingredients, you can change the ratios a bit - we often use more sour cream simply because we want more of the cheese mixture. And you can go low fat with all 3 - its still great!)
tomato slices and cilantro leaves, optional
1. Start cooking rice or quinoa, if desired. (I use my rice cooker). Cook meat, if desired. Cook noodles according to pkg.; drain. Mash one can of black beans.
2. Coat a skillet with cooking spray; add onion, green sweet pepper/carrots and garlic. Cook n' stir over med. heat until tender but not brown. Add mashed beans, unmashed beans, tomato sauce and snipped cilantro. Add cooked meat and/or rice or quinoa. Heat through.
3. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese and sour cream. Set aside. Spray a 3 quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick coating. Arrange 3 of the noodles in the dish. Top with 1/3 of the bean mixture. Spread with 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers. twice but don't add the last 1/3 of the cheese mixture.
4. Bake, covered @ 350 deg. 40-45 minutes. Dollop with reserved cheese mixture. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with tomato slices and cilantro, if desired. Makes 8 ish servings.
I think this is a good recipe for adding vegetables, esp. ones you don't really like to eat because you add so much yummy stuff to it.
Make ahead: Refrigerate unbaked lasagna, covered, up to 1 day and bake as directed. Or, freeze up to 1 month; thaw frozen lasagna in fridge overnight and bake 40-45 mins. or until heated through. Basic recipe from Better Homes and Garden, 2003. But with several Janelle additions!