Every Thanksgiving week for many years, I've prepared a Lasagna on Monday.

The reason for this is quite logical. I love it, and have been making it for years. In a week dominated by cooking a turkey, how did lasagna become involved?

To answer that question, we must travel back in time to a golden age: the late eighties. The family gets together, we have a turkey feast and football. So, before traveling to my parents, I made a lasagna. It's one of my best recipes and it always turns out good.

My mother and her sisters, who had the kitchen in a state of disaster, were DELIGHTED at the appearance of the unanticipated lasagna. They put it in the oven and were no longer distracted by having to make lunch or dinner on that crucial Tuesday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week.

This became my Thanksgiving tradition. I always make a lasagna on Monday and it's always a hit. The turkey and all the trimmings are for Thursday. However, smelling all of that cooking makes you hungry. Having lasagna on hand makes the whole thing work.

So... happy Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy a square of lasagna! Think of it as an appetizer.