Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts

Friday, May 20, 2011

Lasagne Vincisgrassi

The latest MasterChef Magazine has just arrived on newsstands and features the dreamy Adriano Zumbo on the cover. There are a number of recipes from Adriano Zumbo but I decided to have a good at the Lasagne Vincisgrassi recipe. Here is 20g of porcini mushrooms soaking in 250ml of boiling water. After they were soft, I drained mushrooms, finely chopped them before putting them into a large bowl. I also reserved the liquid.

500g field mushrooms (stalks removed) and 500g swiss brown mushrooms thinly sliced.

After sauteing the mushrooms, I added them to the large bowl containing the finely chopped porcini. I then chopped 60g prosciutto, 50g truffle paste and 3/4 cup of chopped flat leaf parsley. I then set the oven at 180C and turned my attention to the white sauce. The white sauce was made in two parts. In one pan add 750ml milk, 250ml cream, 1/2 cup of porcini liquid, 1 bay lead and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to almost a boil on medium heat. In another pan melt 100g butter and 100g plain flour. Cook until grainy. When both items are ready, gradually whisk the milk mixture in and it will soon thicken. Cook the sauce for another 5 minutes or until it thickens. Pour half the sauce into the mushroom mixture and reserve the rest.

In a lightly greased rectangular baking dish, coat the base with white sauce and then lay a lasagne sheet on top. Layer half the mushroom mixture, add 25g grated parmesan, lay another a lasagne sheet, the rest of the mushroom mixture and add another 25g grated parmesan.

Finally top with a lasagne sheet, the remaining white sauce and a layer of parmesan. Cook in the oven for an hour or until golden.

Cool for ten minutes before slicing and you can then tuck into your gorgeous piece of Lasagne Vincisgrassi.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Classic Lasagna


Let's face, we live in an instant coffee, microwave society. We are all pushing to make deadlines and want everything like yesterday. However this does NOT excuse you from whinging, "I have no time to cook." If I had a dollar every time someone told me this, I would be a million zillion billionaire. I want you to make you to make time and there is no easier way to do than freezer food. Make a couple of different things on the weekend and you'll lunch for weeks. All you have to do is take it out and reheat it in the microwave. So easy.

One of the most freezer friendly recipes I have is for the classic lasagna. My recipe comes from the a 'Cook's Book of Pasta: Carbonara Marinara Napolitana.' This lasagna comprises of layers of Bechamel Sauce and mince. The mince is enriched with sauteed onion and garlic, tinned tomatoes, red wine, basil and oregano. It's really simple recipe and makes approximately eight serves. Cook, cool, freeze and make all your co-workers jealous!