You have never had lasagna until you’ve had this lasagna! Made with layers of spinach pasta coated in a meaty ragú, creamy beschimella/béchamel sauce and just a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. There are no copious amounts of ricotta, mozzarella or tomato sauce. This lasagna has a dense mouth feel, but light, yet so satisfying in the stomach. It is in my opinion a culinary master piece.!! I took classes in Bologna and learned from ladies that shared with me their secrets and, if I do say so, I think I did a good job in replicating it here at home. I’m sure this will soon be a family favorite. In fact, it is now a “required” stock item in our family refrigerator!

These crab cakes are filled with beautiful lump crab meat, with just a little bit of breadcrumbs and an egg to just lightly blind them together. They are then sautéed and the best part can be made ahead then reheated just before serving. We are pairing them with a homemade remoulade sauce, a spicy traditional French dipping sauce that will make you want to dip everything in it and that is sure to kick-start your party!

A beautiful purée of celery root and fennel, two perfect winter root vegetables, that are cooked with leeks, garlic, stock and a little bit of milk, and then puréed into a beautiful soup that is creamy in taste but light on the calories. Top with a drizzle of pistachio oil and chopped pistachios that give it that elegant restaurant appeal.