Just like many of you my life has been really busy for the past several days. Italy is just around the corner, so I’ve spent all of my spare time making sure that was taken care of. Naturally, I just HAD to make a weekend excursion to see the Perfect Ones before heading off for two weeks. Nana time is one the basic necessities of life for me. My grandchildren are just so much fun! I’m sharing a not-so-Italian lasagna recipe that we really like and that I have made several times for sharing. I got this from my son-in-law’s mom, although she doesn’t remember making it! Hubby and I ate it at her house one day when we were in town and got invited to lunch on the deck – a great fall day in northwest Arkansas. (It doesn’t get any prettier anywhere, I don’t think.) Gotta” go pack! ciao

8 packaged dried lasagna noodles
1 beaten egg
1 cup Ricotta or cream-style cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
1 1/2 teaspoons snipped, fresh tarragon or basil or 1/4 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese (I sometimes use and Italian blend that is already shredded.)
paprika
Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.
Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together egg, cottage cheese, chicken and basil or tarragon.
To assemble bundles: Spread about 1/3 cup of the filling over each lasagna noodle. Roll up each noodle, starting from a short end. Place bundles, seamside down, in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Set aside.
Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine. Stir in flour, mustard, salt and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stirl well with a whisk until thickened and bubbly. Gradually add cheese, stirring until melted after each addition. Pour sauce over the lasagna bundles. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Transfer bundles to individual plates. Stir sauce in the baking dish. Spoon some of the sauce over each bundle and sprinkle with paprika. Garnish with fresh tarragon or basil leaves.