Q4 YoYo

The Fourth Quarter of each year is traditionally busy for me in my profession.

It is also a 'hurry up and wait' time, where I am totally dependent on the economic whims of my clients. Consequently, it can sometimes be a pain in the ass.

I need to cook something that will totally take me out of the Q4 funk and catapult me in to the up part of this YoYo...

Hmmm, what sounds good?

Just found a recipe for ground beef florentine.  Sounds like it has potential...I will return and report...

Next Day...

Well, the Beef Florentine was a success.  I adjusted the recipe (surprise), and this is what worked:

Beef Florentine

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 12 oz. medium egg noodles
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp Italian Herb Seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce, can substitute one or both with bottled sauce.
1/2 cup beer or white wine
1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (15 oz.) container Ricotta cheese
1 onion, chopped, sauteed and divided in half
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese, divided in half

Directions:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Add pasta, and cook for 6-7 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Preheat oven to 350° F.  Spray a 9X13 or other large casserole dish with Pam.
In a large skillet over medium heat, saute onions (take out half of them when soft), then add ground beef to brown evenly; drain excess fat.  Season with garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt and pepper.  Stir in tomato sauce and beer/wine.  Cook for 1-2 min to allow flavors to meld.  Remove from heat and stir in cooked noodles.
In a medium bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, other half of the onions, half of the Jack/Mozz cheese and the Parmesan.
Spread half of the noodle mixture in a the large casserole dish.  Layer with all of the spinach mixture, then cover with the remaining noodle mixture.
Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 min.  Remove foil and cover the top with the final half of the cheese and continue cooking 10 min. or until cheese is melted.
After out of the oven, can add more Parmesan, or bottled sauce when plated, if desired.
Serve and enjoy!