TASTE OF FRANKLIN
Comfort foods combine to create meal to delight
Cooking with Coan Cindy Coan Russellville High School
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hether it’s an annual observance like Mother’s or Father’s Day, a special gathering to celebrate a graduation or birthday or even a casual family dinner on a Tuesday night, this menu of comfort food favorites – lasagna, salad and caramel pie – is sure appease the appetite. Cindy Coan, FACS instructor at Russellville High School, said she loves serving up a tasty lasagna for a variety of reasons, like its nearly universal appeal to its versatility for serving at a range of occasions. “It is a comfort food but also can be dressed up and served at more formal meals where you want to impress your guests,” Coan explained, noting the dish serves a crowd but also freezes well. It’s also, Coan added, “the perfect food to share with neighbors. I often share a pan of lasagna with friends who have had a new baby or neighbors who have had a sickness or who need a pick me up.” Coan will include a recipe card, with instructions for baking or freezing, with each gifted lasagna. For added tastiness, Coan recommends fresh ingredients. “During the summer when fresh tomatoes are a’plenty, I like to make a batch of homemade spaghetti
sauce and put up bags in the freezer. This homemade spaghetti sauce elevates this lasagna recipe,” Coan said. She also suggested home chefs consider growing fresh basil in a pot near the kitchen door. “Chopped fresh basil sprinkled on the top of the cooked lasagna just before serving is another technique for adding freshness and makes even the most inexperienced cook seem well seasoned.” Scratch-made salad dressings – to top whatever salad mix you like – and rich caramel pie round out this tempting meal. “Raspberry vinaigrette dressing is a little sweet, which complements the flavor of the lasagna. My students are often hesitant to try a new dressing because they are so accustomed to ranch dressings, but they find they love the flavor,” Coan said. “The Olive Garden Copycat recipe is more tangy. It also complements the flavor of pasta and cheese dishes.” The pie is another student favorite and, like the lasagna, is a good candidate for freezing. “The recipe makes two pies. This allows you to serve one and keep one for another event, or it will also serve a crowd and can be made ahead. Wrap with clear plastic wrap when freezing.”
Franklin Living
