Lasagne Recipe Kit

LASAGNE RECIPE KIT

Steps:

• Open the pack of lasagne sheets and divide between two large pieces of greaseproof paper. Wrap into 2 parcels and secure with sticky tape then wrap in wrapping paper and tie with string or ribbon, adding a label, if you like. Place each parcel into a lasagne dish along with a tin of tomatoes and a bottle of wine.
• To make the seasoning sachet, place the dried mushrooms into a small food processor. Blitz until finely chopped then transfer to a small bowl. Stir in the remaining sachet ingredients and mix well then divide between 2 pieces of tin foil. Fold the foil parcels up to contain the mushroom and spice mix inside then wrap each one in wrapping paper. Label and place into the lasagne dishes.
• Sterilise your jars and keep warm until needed (see tip). Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over a low heat then add the onion and cook gently for 20 mins until really soft. Stir in the garlic and heat for a further 5 mins. Divide the hot onions between the smaller jars, seal and leave to cool.
• Now make the béchamel sauce. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the flour and mix really well. Add the milk gradually until you have a smooth sauce then add the bay leaves. Simmer gently and allow to thicken, then season well with salt, black pepper and nutmeg. Divide between the large jars making sure a bay leaf goes into each one. Seal, leave to cool then label as 'Béchamel sauce'. Once cool, refrigerate the jars until needed then add one to each lasagne dish along with a pack of Parmesan. Write or print out the recipe below and fix to a gift tag.

SIMPLE LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg; set aside. Spread 1/3 cup sauce in an 8x4-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Top with one noodle. Spread 1/3 cup sauce to edges of noodle. Top with a third of reserved cheese mixture and 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining noodle and sauce., Cover and bake at 400° for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.