The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge is celebrating its seventh anniversary and 365th episode — on the same day.  

Riffing off an idea first presented by author Heidi Goehmann, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel each present a range of seven-layer items — one food dish each, plus other assorted Lutheran Lady-related artifacts.  

From Erin’s loaf-pan lasagna to Sarah’s seven-levels of godparenting to Rachel’s seven-layer nightstand bookstack and more, the Ladies show that, seven years in, they’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible.  

Erin's Seven Layer Loaf Pan Lasagna 

2 generous servings 

1 - 1.25 cups canned crushed tomatoes 
1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/8-inch ribbons 
Baby spinach- "some" 
.5 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 
.5 cup cottage cheese (or just use 1 cup of either ricotta or cottage cheese) 
.25 c parmesan cheese, plus more for finishing 
1 egg 
2 T basil pesto 
Fresh basil leaves- "a small handful" 
.25 t garlic powder 
Half a small lemon, zested  
4 dried lasagna noodles, or enough to fill your loaf pan 
1.25 cups shredded cheesy cheese 
salt & pepper  

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your loaf pan.  

In a small bowl, whisk together the whole egg, ricotta, cottage cheese, parmesan, pesto, garlic powder, lemon zest, and a good grind of  black pepper.  

Assembly Instructions: 

Spread everything evenly, and always make sure the noodle is FULLY covered. 

Base layer: ~1/4 cup of tomato sauce (bottom of the pan) 
Layer 1: Lasagna noodle 
Layer 2: a quarter of the ricotta-pesto filling 
Layer 3: Zucchini slices. Light sprinkle of salt & pepper. 
Layer 4: Baby spinach leaves, just to cover. 
Layer 5: A light layer of shredded cheese. 
Layer 6:  ~1/4 c of tomato sauce. 

Repeat layers 1-6 twice more. That will bring you to three lasagna noodle layers. 

Before placing the fourth and final noodle, spread out the basil leaves (the seventh layer!!). Then cover with the last noodle and spread the remaining ricotta-pesto filling over the top. Make sure no bare noodle remains. Top with a generous portion of shredded cheese and sprinkle on some parmesan as well. 

Cover the pan with foil. Give it enough space so that the foil doesn't touch the cheese. 

Bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 12-15 minutes more, until browned and bubbling.  

Let the lasagna rest undisturbed on the counter for 15-20 minutes before slicing. 

Notes:  

If the cheese isn't browning at the end, amp up the heat to 425°F for a few more minutes. 

Make sure the assembled, unbaked lasagna doesn't exceed the height of the loaf pan. You don't want it to bubble over, and you don't want the cheese to stick to the foil. 

Resting is important so the lasagna can "set". This allows you to serve a slice that holds together. It also allows it to be less molten and will be less likely to burn the roof of your mouth. 

If I wanted to scale this recipe, I would probably double it for an 8x8 or 9x9 casserole dish. And either triple or quadruple it for a 9x13. I would start by laying out dry noodles in the pan and seeing how many fit in a single layer. I would also increase the baking time to 60 minutes covered and then continue uncovered until browned and bubbling.

Emalie and Rachel’s Seven-Layer Earth Cake 

Layer 1: Oreo/butter crumb crust — the bedrock 
Layer 2: Gummy worms — the wildlife 
Layer 3: Chocolate ganache — the subsoil 
Layer 4: Chocolate cake — the topsoil 
Layer 5: Green frosting — the grass 
Layer 6: White frosting — the clouds 
Layer 7: Rainbow candy ribbons — the rainbows 

Sarah's Yemeni Coffee Seven-Layer Cookie Bar  

6oz super fine almond flour *
20g super fine ground coffee
1/3 tsp salt
1/3 tsp cardamom
1/3 tsp ginger
3Tbs Maple syrup
1Tbs Olive oil 

The easy method:

Mix all ingredients EXCEPT coffee until very thick (playdough consistency). If too wet, add more flour. If too thick, add more maple syrup. 
Split dough in half.  
Mix 20g super fine coffee ground into one half. Add more maple syrup if it becomes too dry.
Split the coffee layer into 3 balls and the spicy layer into 4 balls.
Roll each ball into similar sized shapes.  
Alternate in SEVEN layers spice/coffee/spice/coffee/spice/coffee/spice.
Cut into small rectangles.
Bake on convention (quick bake) at 400/375 for 12 minutes, rotating for another 5 minutes. 
Bars are done when almond flour begins to brown. 

* Different almond flours absorb different amounts of liquid. May need to edit amounts to get the right consistency.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

In this Adventures in Lutheranism conversation, Rachel shares the story of her return as interim managing editor to The Lutheran Witness magazine after a 7-year hiatus.  

Following a personal account of her recent professional transition, the discussion broadens out into the history of the LCMS's flagship magazine (in print since 1882!); a list of reasons why print is not, in fact, dead; and four ways in which Ladies' Lounge listeners can take part in this adventure themselves.  

To learn more about or connect with The Lutheran Witness, you can: 

Read articles on the website.  
Subscribe to the print magazine.  
Connect on Facebook.  
Sign up for LW's monthly newsletter.  
Write a letter to the editor.  
Check out the LW podcast. 
Read recent letters from Rachel and Pastor Harrison.  
Submit an article query. 

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Class is back in session, as Sarah continues her diaconal studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis!     

In this episode, Sarah reviews material covered in her fourth class in Concordia Seminary's Online Deaconess Studies curriculum: Creedal Themes. This course examines in depth the church's ancient creeds, with a special focus on the Nicene Creed.  

Rather than simply lecturing, though, Sarah has other, more interactive plans for her cohosts: "You are both well-catechized Lutherans," she tells Erin and Rachel early on, "so I want to walk through the creed with you and ask you a bunch of questions!" 

Do you know the answers to Sarah's creedal questions? Review familiar concepts — and maybe even learn a few new ones — in this faith-forming (and faith-strengthening) conversation.  

Resources referenced include:  

The Book of Concord - Concordia Publishing House 
Called to Believe, Teach & Confess - Concordia Publishing House 
FLAME – 3 Genera Lyrics | Genius Lyrics 

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

What does curiosity have to do with effective leadership?  

Following up on her earlier Leading Ladies conversation, former co-host and regular guest Bri Gerzervske returns to the Lounge to discuss a key item on her list of Oddball Leadership values: curiosity.  

When leaders at all levels of the org chart embrace curiosity, says Bri, they are less likely to act impulsively and more likely to nurture a work environment in which everyone is free to speak and listen, learn, grow and collaborate for the sake of their shared mission.  

Learn more about being an Oddball Leader or subscribe for more of Bri's leadership insights at Oddball Leadership, or connect with her on LinkedIn.  

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Were women in the past completely uneducated — or worse, cruelly denied any meaningful opportunity to receive an education by their parents and society at large? Some modern scholars say so, but in this "back-to-school" edition of Rachel's Trivia Challenge, the Lutheran Ladies are revisiting key literary sources as they not only explore the history of women's education but also investigate whether the prevailing narrative of our day is truly just to those who came before us.  

With questions drawn from Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and other notable authors writing in and about their own times, this quiz will tickle the minds of literary mavens and education enthusiasts alike — even though, in the end, it may raise as many questions as it answers.  

Sources referenced in this episode include ... 

Gender in Cultural History: Gender and Education 
Luther on education: arnold__lut_33_3.pdf 
Martin Luther and female education. - Free Online Library 
Martin Luther: A Sermon on Keeping Children in School (1530) 
William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing 
Phillis Wheatley | The Poetry Foundation 
Poems, by Phillis Wheatley  
The Old Deluder Satan Act: deluder.html 
Quote by Jane Austen: “It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "How young ...” 
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice; Mansfield Park  
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre 
Social History of American Education | Education | Research Starters | EBSCO Research 
The story of female education in the US: from illiterate to top of the class | World Economic Forum 
ERIC - ED119389 - A History of Compulsory Education Laws. Fastback Series, No. 75. Bicentennial Series., 1976 
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
John Dewey Quotes About Education | A-Z Quotes 
Rosa Young - Wikipedia 
Civil Rights Division | Sex Discrimination 
Women Continue To Outpace Men In College Enrollment And Graduation 




Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.