Economic Research: Lasagna Recipe

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Lasagna Recipe

Lasagne is always best when made with fresh sheets of pasta, and these are now available in packets in all good supermarkets. Dried lasagne is fine as well, but it will need to be simmered gently to soften it before using. I haven't used a béchamel sauce because it takes too long – I've used a crème fraîche mixture that does a great job. A mixture ofbeef and pork is really tasty – it's just a brilliant sauce which can also be used for making spaghetti bolognaise, stuffing cannelloni, mixing with sautéd mushrooms and pappardelle. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. In a large casserole-type pan slowly fry the pancetta and cinnamon until golden, then add the onion, carrot, garlic and herbs and about 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix together, then add the beef and pork. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the tinned tomatoes and the wine or water. Add the bay leaves and bring to the boil. Then get some greaseproof paper, wet it and place it on top of the pan with a lid placed on top as well. Then place in the preheated oven for 2 hours or simmer on the hob over a gentle heat for around an hour and a half. Rub your butternut squash slices with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the bashed-up coriander seeds and chilli. Place on a baking tray and roast in the oven for the last 45 minutes of cooking the sauce. When the sauce is done, season to taste and put to one side. Mix together your crème fraîche, anchovies, and a handful of Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper. You may need to loosen the mixture with a little milk.