Name: Butternut Squash and Pesto Lasagna
Yield: 1

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Raymundo Agrazal

This member of the mint family has been used as a medicinal plant, and its oils and extracts are said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Fragrant fresh basil, for instance, offers a healthy dose of blood-clotting vitamin K -- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil provide 27% of the RDA -- as well as vitamin A, manganese, and magnesium. (You can find more vitamin K in green leafy veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and spinach -- but talk to your doctor if you’re taking a blood thinner such as warfarin; you don’t want too much or too little K.

Basil

Some of the most impressive health benefits of bay leaves include their ability to detoxify the body, slow the aging process, speed wound healing, protect the body from bacterial infections, manage diabetes, improve heart health, reduce inflammation, alleviate respiratory issues, optimize digestion, and prevent certain types of cancer.

Bay Leaf

One cup of butternut squash provides a whopping 437% percent of your vitamin A needs for the day, as well as 52% of vitamin C and 10% or more of vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium and manganese

Butternut Squash

One of the Mediterranean´s diet main ingredients, extra virgin olive oil provides a special flavor and aroma to each dish while adding no cholesterol and almost no saturated fat. It has omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) which may help to lower total blood cholesterol and "bad cholesterol" (LDL) while increasing "good cholesterol" (HDL), therefore contributing to decreasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases. Moreover, it has vitamin E which is known to have antioxidant properties by protecting cells from free radicals. This vitamin is also involved in the immune function and other metabolic processes. That the oil is Virgin means that it has undergone less industrial processing, it is more natural. Therefore all its nutritional and organoleptic properties remain intact for your body to take advantage off!! 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Known for its unique aroma and its strong, spicy flavor that mellows and sweetens with its cooking, garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in all cuisines. Some studies have shown that it has antibacterial and potential anticancer properties. Other investigations state that it may also help regulate blood pressure and make blood thinner, thus protecting the heart. So go ahead and spice up your life with garlic!

Garlic

Because of its antibacterial properties, pepper is also used to preserve food. It is a rich source of manganese, iron, potassium, vitamin-C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Black pepper is also a very good anti-inflammatory agent.

Ground Black Pepper

Also known as koshering salt, it is specially recognized because of its flake-like shape. Even though all three salts- sea, table and kosher- contain the same amount of sodium per gram, kosher salt yields less sodium per tablespoon because of its coarser grain. In other words, it enhances the flavor of each ingredient while protecting your heart from an excessive sodium intake!!

Kosher Salt

Although lasagna is far from a typical health food, you can make healthy substitutions at home to increase the nutritional value of your meal. Instead of making lasagna using white noodles – which digest rapidly, causing blood sugar spikes after eating – select whole-wheat noodles to help stabilize your blood sugar. If you make your lasagna with meat, select 95-percent lean ground beef or chicken, and rinse the meat after cooking to wash away excess fat. Limit your use of cheese, sprinkling only a small amount on top, and choose low-fat mozzarella to reduce your fat intake. Finally, load your lasagna up with vegetables to boost the fiber, vitamin and mineral content of your meal. If you don’t like the texture of vegetable pieces in your lasagna, try pureeing the cooked vegetables right into the tomato sauce before assembling your lasagna to get the nutritional benefits of vegetables without significantly changing the lasagna’s texture.

Lasagna Noodles

Nutmeg is a popular spice that has a long list of associated health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.

Nutmeg

The harder the cheese, the higher the calcium content! So parmesan is a marvelous source of calcium for your bones and teeth. Only a 1-ounce serving provides 33% of the daily value for calcium. Besides, it is also rich in high-quality proteins and phosphorus. It is worth noting that a small amount of vitamin D exists in parmesan, which is very difficult to find in food. Vitamin D is important to help build and maintain strong, calcified bones. Furthermore, parmesan is rich in umami taste!

Parmesan Cheese

Usually, Pecorino Romano cheese presents 3-5 times higher CLA compared to cow's cheeses. Additionally, Pecorino contains a good amount of calcium, potassium, and magnesium and is a good source of protein

Pecorino Cheese

Butter, commonly known as makkhan, is a pure form of animal fat as it is prepared at home and fresh. Adding one teaspoon of butter in the diet is highly recommended as it is rich in antioxidants and contains carotene, vitamin A. In fact, lining rotis or parathas with butter or adding a teaspoon in hot rice is enough for reaping its health benefits.

Unsalted Butter

Whole milk is more filling than skim, meaning people who consume it may feel fuller longer and consequently eat less throughout the day. A 2013 study found that participants who regularly ate full-fat milk, butter and cream demonstrated lower obesity rates than participants who consumed low-fat dairy products.

Butternut Squash and Pesto Lasagna

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