It’s so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and for many of us, the only sane moments we get to enjoy during this time are when we sit to savor a warm meal. At Piccola Trattoria we try not to let the stress of the season stop us from enjoying time at the dinner table with friends and family. It’s our favorite method of celebrating and even though we would love to spend days preparing for a holiday meal or a mid-week get together with friends, it’s not always possible. So what is our solution? Lasagna of course!
Many people think that making lasagna is such a time consuming and long process, but the truth is that it is relatively simple. Italians love this dish because of its versatility. The key of course is in the pasta sheet and keeping a package on hand in your kitchen can make a great meal in relatively no time at all. Of course if you are not a fan of the boxed pasta bought in the store, you can always use fresh pasta sheets and keep them frozen for a quick thaw (You can purchase fresh lasagna sheets from Angie at Piccola Trattoria and keep them on hand). Once you have your pasta ready to go, the rest is up to you! Lasagna doesn’t necessarily have to be filled with meat and cheese to be delicious, try making lasagna out of what you have on hand. You can layer the pasta with peas, Prosciutto Cotto, Mozzarella and tomato sauce or sauté some vegetables and pair with béchamel sauce. Also, try seasonal vegetables—at Piccola Trattoria we use butternut squash and Ricotta cheese to create a fall-themed lasagna, or spinach and broccoli for a hearty veggie-heavy dish. All you have to do is layer your pasta sheets with anything you like, remember to add some moisture for baking purposes, and toss in the oven. This is an easy way to present a wonderful meal to guests or just a warm dish for your family on a chilly December night.
Please call Piccola Trattoria at 661-299-6952 or www.piccolatrattoria.com for reservations. Corporate events, holiday parties, catering available.