What’s Cooking?

What are some other meals you could make using the fresh vegetables from your garden or from a farmer’s market?

Before you begin:

• Never use the stove or a knife without an adult’s supervision.

• Always remember to keep the handle of the skillet turned in so you cannot accidentally bump into it.

Garden Lasagna

1 16-ounce package lasagna noodles 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 cups diced red bell pepper 1 cup diced green bell pepper 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 cups diced tomatoes 1 large zucchini, thinly sliced 1 16-ounce can tomato sauce

cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese 1 8-ounce package part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs teaspoon black pepper teaspoon dried oregano

1. Here are some other things you will need: a measuring cup, a teaspoon, a cutting knife, a colander, a wooden spoon, wax paper, a large pot, a bowl, aluminum foil, a saucepan, a spatula, and a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. 2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Have an adult pour the noodles into a colander in the sink. Rinse the noodles with cold water and place them in a single layer on wax paper to cool. 3. Cook the diced bell peppers and onion in olive oil in a large saucepan until the onions are translucent. Stir in the tomatoes, zucchini, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes. 4. Preheat the oven to 375˚F. In a medium bowl, combine cup of the Parmesan cheese with the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, eggs, black pepper, and oregano. Remember to wash your hands after handling the eggs. 5. Reserve cup of the mixture. Then, place a small amount of the vegetable mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles lengthwise in the dish.

Layer some of the cheese mixture and the vegetable sauce on top of the noodles.

Continue to layer the remaining ingredients, ending with noodles. 6. Spread the reserved cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the Parmesan cheese. 7. Cover the dish with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake for 10 more minutes so the cheese can brown. 8. Allow the lasagna to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Then, invite your friends and family to the table to sample this tasty dish. It serves 8, so there is a good chance that you won’t finish it all. Just freeze the leftovers, and enjoy them on another day.

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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1. Check the line beside the word or words that best describe what type of nonfiction passage this is.

how-to _____ biography _____ persuasive text

2. Number the tasks below to show the order in which they should be done.

Combine the cheeses, eggs, and spices.

Ask an adult to drain the lasagna noodles.

Boil a pot of water.

Simmer the vegetable mixture.

Allow the lasagna to cool.

3. Why do you think you should wash your hands after handling the eggs?

4. For how long should you boil the lasagna noodles?

5. What is the total amount of time the lasagna will bake?

6. What five vegetables are used in this recipe?

7. Check the phrase that best describes the author’s purpose.

to tell a story about a family who makes a lasagna

to explain how to make lasagna

to persuade the reader to make lasagna for dinner

8. How is this recipe similar to and different from other types of lasagna you’ve had?

9. Is this a recipe you’d like to try at home? Why or why not?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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