Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Happy Mardi Gras!

In honor of Mardi Gras today, I thought I'd share a recipe with you. I made this for the first time during the Superbowl and wouldn't ya know those Saints won?!?!?

Anyway, here is Cajun Chicken Lasagna:

1 package lasagna noodles (I always use the kind you don't have to cook beforehand)
1 lb. andouille sausage (I couldn't find this, so I used hot sausage)
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into chunks
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 (10 oz.) containers Alfredo sauce, divided
1 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large skillet over med-high heat, combine sausage, chicken, Cajun seasoning and sage.  Cook until chicken and sausage is no longer pink. Remove meat from skillet using slotted spoon and set aside.  Saute onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic until tender. Remove from heat and sstir in cooked meat and one container Alfredo sauce.
Lightly grease 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover bottom of dish with lasagna noodles, then spread 1/2 meat mixture over top of noodles. Repeat layers, and cover with a layer of noodles. Spread remaining Alfredo sauce and top with cheeses. *I found that it tasted a bit heavy on the alfredo sauce, so perhaps try cutting the called for sauce to 1 1/2 containers*
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

I must say this is delicious, but quite fattening! But it is Fat Tuesday, so enjoy!!

The countdown begins..

First things first... check out that button to the right there ===================>>>
The one that says Susan G. Komen 3-day-walk and click on it!!! It will take you to a fabulous page where you can make a donation to help me "earn my stripes" before embarking on a 60-mile walk over 3 days this coming October in Atlanta, GA. I'd really appreciate any help you can give. I'm not a great fundraiser (that may be why my daughter's PTA just gets a check from me each year instead of a form filled out with wrapping paper orders), so the thought of having to raise over $2000 is a bit daunting to me. Eek!

But all that aside, I'm thoroughly enjoying the challenge that this walk is bringing to my life. Other than pregnancy and my wedding, I can't think of any other time that I had to plan this far in advance for something. It's refreshing with a bit of mystery. The refreshing part is that I have something major to work towards, and the mystery part is if I can actually do it.
I'll bet you $1 that I make it!

I've been training with different folks. I've trained alone, with my sister, with my Dad, and with another woman who is registered for the Atlanta walk. I'm glad to have found her, because honestly, if I'm going to share a tent with someone for 3 nights, I'd rather know them first!

All of this to say that I would greatly appreciate any and all forms of support, whether it's by financial donation, prayers, or general wishes of well-being sent my way. I've logged 31 miles in training thus far. I've got the socks, I'm saving up for some sweet shoes, and I've got the gumption to get this done.

459 days left. Countless miles to go.