Octopus, anyone?

I had baby octopus yesterday.
For the first time.
I do try not to get too adventurous when it comes to food.
But, what the heck!
We were in a Japanese restaurant; the menu had octopus, baby octopus, and jellyfish, among others.
If they are wrapped up in a sushi, they wouldn't bite me, right?
So, I asked for it.
Fish eggs and eel were a challenge for me, last time. I got over it this time.
ew!
I still have to work on enjoying them. It was mostly pick, and gobble, instead of any slow chewing or savoring.
Octopuses are quite another story.
Looks creepy actually, since they were cut and put on top of the sushi roll, instead of inside the roll.
Tastes like rubber band, someone said.
Not bad.
The biggest step is to pick it and put it in your month. Then on, it is easy.
Once you chew, the challenge is already over.
I did it!
Dharma says octopuses are like humans, eating them is like eating a person.
That gets me thinking.
Would you eat people that you don’t like ? or those who give you the creeps ?

lasagna

A friend wants to know my secret recipe of weekday lasagna. I directed her to Kraft’s Chef to the rescue site with features cat Cora's dishes.

Of course she lost the link, and so here it is. I have changed the recipe to the way I made it.


1 lb. ground meat
2 cups chopped green peppers (about 2 peppers)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped (add olives, carpers tried with chopped jalapeños & mushrooms)
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1-2/3 cups water (go easy on the water, I used 1/4 cup only)
1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
12 lasagna noodles (I remember the BelAir cooking demos mention that you can bake with uncooked noodles, otherwise do the routine for the noodles before you start)
1 cup Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese (Or the 3 cheese mix for a Mexican flavor)

BROWN meat in large (4-qt.) saucepan on medium heat; drain.

ADD peppers, garlic, spaghetti sauce, water and dressing; bring to boil.
Stir in noodles;
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover.

COOK; stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 min. or until noodles are tender. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Stir 1/2 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Ricotta Cheese into noodle mixture before sprinkling with shredded cheese.


Alternatively, start with layering and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Traditional lasagna can take up to 2 hours to prepare. This one only takes 28 minutes. You save over 1-1/2 hours!