In addition to our New Year’s deep fried pickles, I made a batch of fried bananas. They’re really easy. Just heat your oil, cut a banana in 1 inch slices, dip them in your favorite batter, and deep fry until they’re golden brown. Let them cool a bit, then sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon. You could also drizzle some honey on them or throw a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The creamy banana middle, the salty crispiness of the batter, and the sweet sugared outside . . . pure decadence and comfort.

We also made onion rings, and then Paul battered and deep fried a peanut butter cookie. That didn’t turn out so great, but I admired his attempt. What’s your favorite food to deep fry?

The spinach lasagna after we all tore into it. I forgot to take a picture when it looked all perfect.

As tradition mandates, every New Year’s Eve I make a spinach lasagna. Before the happy addition of Paul to my life, I made just enough for myself in a bread loaf pan. This year, I had to increase it to feed five. We spent New Year’s with Paul’s brother, sister-in-law, friend, and nephew, playing the Wii, then a rousing game of Apples to Apples, and watching the ball drop in Times Square. It was a cozy, fun evening.

Here is the recipe I created. It’s basically the same as my original one; it just feeds more people and has a few additional tweaks.

Lisa’s Spinach Lasagna II.

12 lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. frozen chopped spinach packages
2 15-oz. ricotta cheese containers
1 egg
1 egg white
1 c. grated parmesan cheese
3 c. mozzarella cheese (plus 1 cup to sprinkle on the top)
4-6 minced garlic cloves
1 t. dried basil flakes
1/2 t. black pepper
1 T. salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. thyme flakes
1 T. olive oil

Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse in cold water.

Combine ingredients for filling in a big (really big) bowl.

Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Layer the bottom with noodles, then a layer of half the filling. Add another layer of noodles, the rest of the filling, and then the top layer of noodles. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes, until top is nicely browned and lasagna is bubbling. Let it rest for 20 minutes or more so the layers set up and you don’t cut into a goopy mess.

If you make this, drop me a line and let me know what you thought!

Sophie & Sadie’s Halloween costumes. Don’t they look thrilled?