Mama Zuquinis Lamb Lasagna Recipes

MAMA'S LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.
• In a large saute pan, over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon oil and saute meat, onion, and garlic until meat is browned, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon. Drain pan of fat and add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, then mix in cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and seasoning salt.
• Spread a little of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Lay half the noodles in the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping by 1/2-inch. Spread half the egg and cottage cheese mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and Cheddar evenly over the cottage cheese mixture. Pour half the meat sauce on top. Repeat layering in same order. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan on top. Bake in center of oven 30 to 35 minutes until sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

ZUCCHINI, TOMATO, AND LAMB LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush two rimmed baking sheets with oil. Divide zucchini between sheets; arrange in a single layer, turning once to coat. Season with salt and pepper; roast until softened, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook until softened, 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add lamb and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned, 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer lamb to paper towels to drain and pour off fat from skillet. Return lamb to skillet; add tomato paste, tomatoes, and oregano. Stir to combine. Cook until tomato liquid is almost evaporated, 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Reduce oven to 400 degrees. Spoon half the lamb mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish. Top with half the zucchini slices, overlapping to fit. Repeat layering with remaining lamb mixture and zucchini. Spread ricotta over top; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is browned in spots, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

MAMA ZUQUINIS LAMB LASAGNA

Steps:

• SAUCE: In a 2-quart heavy-bottom saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat just until it begins to ripple, about 2 minutes. Stir in the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently until the onions are translucent.
• Stir in the basil, tomatoes, salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce just coats the back of a spoon, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. This makes about 2 cups sauce.
• EGGPLANT: Grill the eggplant: Brush the eggplant slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season with one-fourth teaspoon salt and the pepper. Grill the eggplant on both sides to mark, then cool completely. Dice the eggplant into one-half-inch pieces.
• Heat the remaining oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until the oil begins to ripple. Stir in the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent. Stir in the herbs and tomato sauce and bring to a boil.
• Fold in the eggplant along with the crushed red pepper, roasted red pepper, red wine vinegar and remaining teaspoon salt. Remove from heat, taste, and adjust seasonings and flavoring as desired.
• LAMB: Heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until it begins to ripple. Stir in the lamb and brown, stirring frequently. Add the wine and scrape any flavoring from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine is reduced by half.
• Stir in the demi-glace and reduce the total liquid by one-third. Stir in the tomato sauce, fresh mint and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. This makes a generous 2 cups sauce.
• LASAGNA: Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice the tomatoes lengthwise into slices approximately one-fourth-inch thick and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons oil, and season with a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Roast the tomatoes until lightly caramelized on top but still somewhat soft in the center, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Spread the pasta on a baking sheet to cool slightly. The pasta can be made up to this point, and all of the components refrigerated for up to 2 days before completing the dish.
• ASSEMBLY: In separate saute pans, reheat Eggplant Caponata and the Lamb Sauce to just under boiling then simmer until ready to use.
• Heat the remaining one-fourth cup oil in a medium heavy-bottom pot over medium-low heat until it begins to ripple. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Stir in the cooked pasta, then stir in 1½ cups lamb sauce. Gently stir in the Eggplant Caponata. Stir in the grated Grana Padano and vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Spoon the pasta into large serving bowls, and spoon over the remaining lamb sauce. Sprinkle the goat cheese crumbles over the servings then sprinkle over the chopped parsley. Fan roasted tomato slices over each to garnish, and serve immediately.

MOM'S LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and a three-finger pinch of salt and sweat them until they're translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the neck bones and let them brown, about 5 minutes. Add the ground veal, beef and sausage, and season with another healthy pinch of salt. Cook until the meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the white wine, tomatoes and their juice, and the bay leaves. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon, making sure to get all of the browned bits into the sauce. Season the sauce with salt, to taste, and simmer for 2 hours over medium heat. Remove the bay leaves and neck bones and let cool. Skim any fat that rises to the surface.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add enough salt so that it tastes seasoned and allow the water to return to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
• In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta, parsley, basil, oregano, eggs, and Parmesan with a pinch of salt.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Ladle about 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of a lasagna pan. Arrange a layer of noodles followed by a layer of sauce and then some of the ricotta mixture. Top with a layer of mozzarella, smoothing it with a spatula to the edges. Repeat the process until the pan is full. Finish with a final layer of noodles, sauce, the mozzarella, and Parmesan.
• Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest, 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

MAMA ZUQUINIS BRODO

Steps:

• Place turkey wings and beef bones in a 12-qt saucepan and cover with cold water by 4″; place pan over medium heat and let mixture come to a very slow simmer, skimming off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface in the meantime.
• Add celery, carrots, onions, parsley, bay leaf, and garlic, and return to a slow simmer; cook, occasionally skimming fat and any impurities from the surface, for 6 hours.
• Add 5 cups boiling water, and continue cooking, adding more boiling water as necessary to keep solids submerged, for 6 hours more.
• Remove from heat, pour through a fine strainer into a large container, and discard solids. Let broth cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until chilled. Once chilled, remove hardened layer of fat from surface of broth, and discard. Can be frozen at this point.
• To serve, reheat broth in a 4-qt saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring broth to a boil, and then add pasta; cook, stirring, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Ladle pasta and broth into serving bowls, and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

MOM'S LASAGNA, FALL VERSION

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles 3 to 4 minutes less than the package directs. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and pour the pasta onto a baking sheet to cool. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking and set aside until ready to assemble.
• For the Bolognese: Place a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the beef, season with salt, and cook, breaking up any lumps, until it begins to brown. Move the beef to one side of the pan, add the squash and cook until it begins to brown and soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions, celery and garlic with a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and toast for a few minutes until it looks rusty. Add in the white wine, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the crushed tomatoes and thyme bundle and bring to a simmer. Stir in the reserved 1 cup pasta water and cook over low heat, partially covered, until the sauce has thickened and reduced, at least 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove the thyme bundle.
• For the bechamel: Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until it forms a wet sandy consistency. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer, then whisk in the nutmeg and 1 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until thickened and smooth, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the ricotta, pecorino and egg yolks, then set aside to cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place a 7-quart roasting pan or a lasagna pan on the baking sheet.
• To assemble: Spoon a layer of Bolognese into the pan, covering the whole bottom. Add an even layer of noodles and press into the sauce. Add a layer of Bolognese over the noodles, then another layer of pasta. Spoon some of the bechamel over the noodles, covering the entire surface. Add another layer of pasta, pressing down gently. Spoon a layer of Bolognese to cover the surface. Repeat the layering, ending with a layer of Bolognese on top. Sprinkle with the mozzarella, then cover with foil and bake until completely warmed through, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Uncover and continue to bake until golden brown and crusty on top, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and let set 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

LAMB LASAGNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 130C/110C fan/gas 1. Heat the oil in a casserole dish. Season the lamb generously, then sizzle for 5 mins until nicely browned. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook for a minute more, then pour over the passata. Rinse out the passata carton with a splash of water, then pour that in too. Season, then bring to a simmer. Cover tightly with foil, top with the lid, then cook in the oven for at least 3½ hrs or up to 4 hrs, until the lamb is shreddable. Leave the lamb to cool slightly, then use two forks to shred it into the sauce. Will keep in the fridge for two days, or in the freezer for 6 months.
• To make the béchamel, heat the milk in a saucepan until just simmering. In a separate pan, melt the butter, then add the flour and stir to make a sandy paste. Slowly whisk in the hot milk until combined and you have a glossy white sauce. Stir in half the parmesan and season. Meanwhile, soak the lasagne sheets in just-boiled water to soften, then drain.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Spread a thin layer of the lamb sauce over the base of a small lasagne dish, then top with a layer of pasta, followed by a third of the béchamel and a third of the mozzarella. Add a second layer of lamb, then again top with pasta, then béchamel, then mozzarella. Add a final layer of pasta, then top with the rest of the béchamel, the last of the mozzarella, the remaining parmesan and the panko breadcrumbs. Bake the lasagne for 35 mins, then turn the oven up to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Bake for 10 mins more to crisp up the top, then leave to rest for 10 mins before serving straight from the dish with a few dressed chicory leaves, if you like.

MAMMA MIA'S LASAGNE

Steps:

• Brown meat.
• Add next 5 ingredients. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes.
• Cook noodles according to package directions.
• Drain and spread noodles out to cool on wax paper.
• Combine remaining ingredients, except Mozzarella and oil.
• Spread olive oil on bottom of 13 x 9 baking pan.
• Place half noodles in bottom, overlapping slightly.
• Spread 1/2 Ricotta on noodles, using fingers.
• Sprinkle scant half of Mozzarella over all.
• Spread 1/2 meat sauce over all.
• Repeat layers, saving a little Mozzarella for the top.
• Bake 30 minutes at 375°F.
• Let stand 10 minutes, then cut.
• May assemble early, refrigerate; then allow 15 minutes longer in oven.

MAMA ZUQUINIS LASAGNE DI ZUCCA SALSICCIA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and seasoning in medium bowl; mix well.
• Heat large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sausage; cook, stirring to break into pieces, until browned. Transfer sausage to paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Add pumpkin, wine and broth to skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until bubbly. Stir in sauce and sausage; heat through.
• Spread 1 cup sauce mixture over bottom of 11 x 7-inch or 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 4 lasagna noodles. Spread 1 cup ricotta mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Spread 1 cup sauce mixture over mozzarella cheese; top with remaining 4 lasagna noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and remaining sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Pour water around edges of lasagna. Cover with foil.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

MAMA ZUQUINIS LOBSTER FRA DIAVOLO

Steps:

• Heat oil in an 8 qt Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Toss lobster pieces (including reserved bodies) in flour and shake off excess. Add to pot and cook until shells turn red, turning occasionally (about 6 minutes). Transfer lobster pieces to a plate and set aside.
• Add chile flakes, oregano, and garlic to pot and saute until lightly toasted (3 minutes). Add tomato paste and stir once or twice until lightly caramelized (2 minutes).
• Add cognac and stir slowly until almost evaporated (3 minutes). Add stock, tomatoes, and bay leaf and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, partially covered, until thickened (30 minutes). While sauce is cooking, remove lobster meat from reserved bodies and chop into bite-sized pieces.
• Return all of the lobster to pot and cook until cooked through (about 10 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Add pasta; toss with sauce.
• Transfer to a large serving platter; sprinkle with parsley.

MAMA ZUQUINIS PIZZA MARGHERITA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place pizza crust on baking sheet.
• Spread pesto over pizza crust. Arrange tomatoes over pesto. Sprinkle with cheese and crushed red pepper.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Cut into wedges.

MAMA ZUQUINIS PASTA ARABICA

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium-high heat in large saucepan until hot. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute or until fragrant.
• Add tomatoes, broth, salt, cinnamon, coriander, pepper and cloves to saucepan; bring to a boil. Add choice of meats. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in mint.
• Add sauteed zucchini and yellow squash for a side dish.

MAMA ZUQUINIS MALFATTI

Steps:

• Place the frozen spinach in a saucepan with the salt. Cook until thawed (15 min) over low heat. Drain squeezing out the water from the spinach and then mince until fine.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, breadcrumbs, the two cheeses, eggs, the herbs, the nutmeg and black pepper. Mix well and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to make, form oval dumplings 3 inches long and about 1 inch in diameter. Roll each dumpling in the flour. Do not let them touch each other while they stand.
• Bring the salted water to a boil. Drop the dumplings into the salted water to form one layer. When they have risen to the surface, cook for 4 more minutes.
• Lift out the cooked malfatti, letting them drain well, and place into a well-buttered oven proof dish in a 250 degrees F oven while the other batches cook.
• To serve, toss with butter and serve. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and 1 cup marinara per person.
• NOTE: can be frozen after cooking. To serve, toss frozen malfatti in melted butter and Parmesan cheese, place in a well buttered dish and heat in a 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes.