Everybody knows Garfield, that fuzzy orange fur ball who loves to feast on lasagna.
Have we ever stopped to wonder what makes this pasta dish so delectable and appealing to this clever feline? These flat, rectangular strips actually found its origin surprisingly in Greece and later found its way to Italy (from which it is well known today).
The etymology of the word, "lasagna" can be traced back to the Latin word "lasanum" which means "cooking pot, " or also from the Greek word "lasanon" which means "chamber pot.
" This pasta dish is made of flat noodles, or sometime they use rippled noodles, alternating with cheese, spaghetti sauce, meat, and vegetables.
The plural form of lasagna is "lasagne", which is what the Italians use when referring to this delicacy.
What makes a perfect pasta dish that Garfield would literally claw those who attempt to take it from him? As fussy as how this feline is, here are some rules which he conveniently lays down in producing the perfect pasta product which we can all feast on.
After all, what better authority can there be than this orange fur ball who prides himself in feasting on nothing but the best lasagna there is.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
1 In creating the perfect lasagna, we should refrain from using aluminum pans or containers because it will affect its taste.
While it may taste delicious when we try it out, it may alter its savour because when the heat comes into contact with the aluminum, it will cause a not-so-good acidic reaction with the tomato sauce.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
2 Lasagna is best served when it is baked, and in doing so, we should use foil to cover the lasagna dish.
However, we must make sure that the foil does not touch the noodles or the sauce, for it may contaminate the flavour.
Another perfect pasta would then be ruined at the hands of the aluminum bandit.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
3 The best thing about lasagna is that we can always toss it into the microwave oven and have it reheated.
As long as the aluminum is hands off on the pasta, no matter how many times we reheat the dish, its original flavour shall always be preserved.
This is one case where people will not mind have reheated leftovers for lunch or dinner.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
4 When we talk of lasagna, we are referring to those flat, rectangular noodles, and to better appreciate this pasta, it is best not to overdo with the sauce (though some like to splurge on it).
Also, before serving it, it would be best to let the sauce set in for at least 15-30 minutes so that it would blend well with the pasta, making it pasta perfect! GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
5 When it comes to cooking lasagna noodles, there is only one rule to remember: It is better to undercook than overcook.
Why should they be undercooked? As the noodles slowly absorb the sauce, it will cook itself slowly to perfection, and it will not end up to pasty.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
6 In our quest to produce the perfect lasagna, we should, as much as possible, use only the best ingredients there are in the market.
GARFIELD'S LASAGNA RULE NO.
7 It is a good idea to prepare the sauce in advance, at least a day before we plan to serve lasagna.
That way, when the noodles cook, all we have to do is combine these two and put them in the oven.
With all these lasagna rules, are your hunger pangs ready to dive into this special delicacy?