Thick Bechamel Sauce With Parmesan And Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipes

BASIC BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour until smooth. Continue stirring as the flour cooks to a light, golden, sandy color, about 7 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in milk until thickened by the roux. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering until the flour has softened and not longer tastes gritty, 10 to 20 minutes, then season with salt and nutmeg.

THICK BECHAMEL SAUCE WITH PARMESAN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
• Add flour and cook until foamy, about 2 minutes.
• Add the warm milk, I usually warm it in the microwave oven, and whisk constantly.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Add parmesan cheese and tomato pesto. Stir until cheese has melted.
• Add nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND PARMESAN SPREAD

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Chill until serving.

SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO BECHAMEL LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch lasagna pan.
• Make the cream sauce in advance as 1-1/2 cups will need to be slightly cooled before adding into the ricotta cheese filling mixture.
• FOR THE BECHAMEL SAUCE; melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add in the flour; stir for 1 minute.
• Slowly add in the cream and milk, then cook over medium heat whisking constantly until bubbly and thickened.
• Remove 1-1/2 cups of the sauce and refrigerate until slightly cooled.
• To the remaining sauce mix in 1/3 to 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste; set aside to spread on top of the lasagna.
• In a bowl combine the cheese filling ingredients until well combined.
• Mix in the cooled 1-1/2 cups bechamel sauce to the cheese mixture; reserve the remaining cheese sauce to spread on top of the lasagna noodles before baking.
• TO ASSEMBLE; place 4 noodles into the bottom of the greased baking dish.
• Spread half of the cheese filling over the noodles, then sprinkle 1-1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella over cheese filling, then 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (can use more mozzarella cheese and/or Parmesan cheese if desired).
• Repeat with 4 noodles, remaining half of ricotta mixture, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, then 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Top with remaining 4 noodles.
• Spread the remaining reserved bechamel sauce over the top of the noodles.
• Set the baking dish onto a baking sheet then cover with foil.
• Bake uncovered in a preheated 350 degree F oven (bottom rack) for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven then sprinkle 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese over the top then continue to bake for another 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly (or you may bake covered with foil for 30 minutes and uncovered for the remaining time).
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or more before slicing.