Folks, I’m outdone with this here recipe myself. The age of acceptance is so influential that nothing is sacred, as is. Not even lasagna. Everything has to be revised and adjustable to the point where something can no longer be what it is, and our “brains” tell us that it is what the politically correct say it is.
One of my BFF’s told me she had this fantastic vegetable lasagna. As an amateur Foodie, I tell her to get the recipe. Homegirl tells me the lasagna was made out of:
White potatoes (rather than hi-calorie pasta), a rich homemade soup broth (instead of marinara sauce), no ricotta, zucchini and a bunch of other chopped vegetables, mozzarella and sprinkled with parmesan. So, I summarized the dish as it registered in my mind and repeated the ingredients to homegirl: Potatoes, zucchini and other diced veggies, broth, mozzarella and topped with parmesan? I got an affirmative answer. I declared, “That is not lasagna.”
2012 Politically Correct Lasagna (Disclaimer: not an actual representation of the dish in question)
Do you believe what I got in response? The recipe came from a PROFESSIONAL world-renowned chef; there are alternatives to traditional lasagna. The chef can call it what he thinks it is, and just because I don’t think it’s not lasagna, doesn’t mean it isn’t lasagna. Some things are subjective, and this lasagna recipe-without lasagna noodles or any type of pasta-is one of them. The chef has millions of people who eat his recipes, so because he called it lasagna, what the restof the world might deem as variant vegetable scalloped potatoes is lasagna. Meanwhile, I’m was online perusing 50 dictionary definitions of lasagna and wondering if the world has become so politically correct, that we “buy” anything. By the way, no objective definition of lasagna gave room for a baked dish without the self-named pasta or some type of Italian sauce. But the chef is a PROFESSIONAL so there is no need to discuss whether it is lasagna, or not.
With this recipe, lasagna must be any prepared food with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Politically correct lasagna requires NO pasta. Not even spaghetti. Who needs pasta or Italian when a renowned Chef calls a white potato based entrée, lasagna? Completely forget pasta in your concept of 2011 Professional Chef lasagna. Forget marinara, tomatoes or any kind of alternative Italian sauce. Broth is the new lasagna sauce!
As a tribute to this newfound enlightenment (I can’t even type this without laughing in disbelief), I offer a secret recipe for FRIED RICE:
1 box of orzo
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 green/yellow pepper
a stalk of scallions
3/4 plum tomatoes
about 1/2 of your biggest finger size of fresh ginger
1 large clove of fresh garlic (garlic lovers, add less garlic; remember, this is a politically correct recipe)
a couple of tablespoons of olive oil
Prepare orzo as directed on pasta box; Rice is not needed for this fried rice recipe.
Saute all other ingredients peeled, chopped finely and par-cooked. Add drained orzo and continue to sauté. Add some all spice, such as adobo and a hint of ground black pepper and paprika.
Serve hot, cold, or room temperature. I love it room temperature.
Serve to loved ones and let them know that the world and their outlook toward food is changing. This is the new Vegetable Fried Rice. A nice complimentary side dish would be some politically correct spinach lasagna, without the oven, pasta, sauce or cheese. Just mix some fresh spinach with sliced mushrooms, red peppers and sprinkle some sunflower seeds and dried red cranberries. We used to call this a bed of spinach salad.
I think I just may take this concept and open an eatery on Capitol Hill.
MullOverThis.
P.S. Other than this here commitment to defering to an impressive chef, the good girlfriend is otherwise one of the most sane, sound people I know.
