Now for that recipe of the lasagna I made for this Bertolli Pasta Machine/Lasagna Dish Giveaway. This will be more of a guide. I used no exact measurements or science, just threw it all together and it worked out deliciously. A little of this, a pinch of that, a handful of this, a toss of that, give or take. Some of the special flavors came from fresh basil, nutmeg, and orange rind. I'll take you through each component then the layering. We found that this lasagna did not go "thump" in our bellies, the noodles were tender and light, and the orange sang out but did not hit us in the head. This is best when made together with family or friends. Make a party of it why don't you?
Marinara Sauce
2 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
8-10 fresh basil leaves, whole
3 cloves garlic minced, I used 3 frozen garlic cubes from Trader Joe's
1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley
3 t. fresh orange zest
28 ounce can ground peeled tomatoes
Kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 -1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional but good
1 tsp. sugar
In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add and sauté basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes for 30-60 seconds. Add garlic and orange rind, sauté for another 30 seconds, do not let brown. Add the tomatoes and sugar. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Simmer five minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and save for lasagna.
Bechamel Sauce
4 T. butter
4 T. flour
2 1/2- 3 cups milk
kosher salt to taste
ground black pepper, about 1 tsp.
freshly grated nutmeg, about 1 1/2 tsp.
1 clove garlic, minced
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour until a smooth paste forms. Slowly pour in milk while whisking until a thick sauce forms. Salt to taste, add the pepper, garlic, and nutmeg. Stir well and remove from heat to be used in a bit.
Ricotta Filling
1 pound ricotta cheese, I used whole milk kind
2 handfuls grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Kosher salt
ground black pepper, about 1 tsp.
2 eggs
handful of fresh chopped parsley
1 clove mined garlic
1 pound mozzarella sliced for layering later
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese to top lasagna
In a large bowl mix all of the above ingredients except mozzarella and shaved Parmesan, until smooth.
Pasta
4 eggs
water
3 1/2 cups flour
I used my KitchenAid mixer with bread hook attachment. Whisk eggs in liquid measuring cup, add enough water to equal one cup. Pour into bowl of mixer. Add 3 cups of flour and start mixer on low. Mix, scraping down sides until all the flour is incorporated, will be sticky. Slowly add some more flour until mix is no longer sticky, but not dry either. With floured hands lift the dough out of the bowl and form into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap for about 10 minutes.
To roll out using a pasta machine, cut off a piece of dough about the size of a racket ball- maybe a bit smaller. Place machine setting on the thickest setting, some machines it will be #7, others #1. Roll dough through. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter. Roll the dough through at that setting again. Lower the setting to a thinner number and roll dough through. No need to fold dough again but continue rolling dough through machine until the second to last setting on the machine. The last setting is too thin-each machine with vary. Sprinkle dough with flour if it gets sticky. Cut the noodles in half. Place 2 noodles at a time in salted boiling water and boil for 3-4 minutes. Pull out with strainer and let set on a drying rack- I used my cookie racks- until ready to use. See my "How to Make Pasta" Tutorial.
Building the Lasagna
Here is the order in which the components go into the dish. Note that the noodles with be "rustic", the mozzarella cheese will not "touch", and once it is all baked up, all the little imperfections will not matter.
1/4 bechamel sauce
noodles
1/3 ricotta filling
1/3 sliced mozzarella cheese
1/3 marinara sauce
noodles
1/4 bechamel sauce
noodles
1/3 ricotta filling
1/3 sliced mozzarella cheese
1/3 marinara sauce
noodles
1/4 bechamel sauce
noodles
1/3 ricotta filling
1/3 sliced mozzarella cheese
1/3 marinara sauce
noodles
1/4 bechamel sauce
Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Bake in 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes. Remove and let set about 10 minutes before cutting. Serves about 8-10. Lovely with a salad, bread, olives, and sliced oranges drizzled with oil and sprinkled with a pinch of sugar for dessert.
Wine of choice- Just to be different, I went with Rosa Regale- red, sweet, and bubbly, perfect for bringing out the orange and nutmeg in the sauce. I did not want a heavy dry red since the lasagna remained so light.
Music of Choice- Mob Hits
Movie of Choice- Watch Anthony Quinn and Anna Magnani shine in The Secret of Santa Vittoria.
Don't forget that the contest for the Pasta Machine and Lasagna Dish ends tonight at 10pm EST. Go here to enter for your chance to win.
Mangia.
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