Michael Valiante, race car driver
North Burnaby's Michael Valiante is a professional sports car driver with the Spirit of Daytona Racing team.
Michael Valiante's favourite festive food: Baked ziti pasta.
Feeds about five.
"I know this isn't exactly Christmas related, but what better time to enjoy great Italian food than over the Christmas holidays?" writes Michael.
1/2 pound dry ziti pasta
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
3 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
3/4 cup sour cream
3 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about eight minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a nine-by-13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: half of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, half sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until cheeses are melted.
