Balsamic Lasagna Food

THE BEST LASAGNA

Steps:

• Place the beef in a large bowl and "pull" it apart with two forks as if you were shredding pulled pork, breaking up the clumps and loosening the meat without compacting it.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pancetta to a large bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
• Spread the beef in an even layer in the same pot and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps and scraping up any browned bits from the pot, until the meat is browned and completely cooked, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the browned meat with a slotted spoon to the bowl with the pancetta, leaving the fat in the pot.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, celery, onions, half the garlic, the bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it's very fragrant and brick red colored, about 2 minutes. Stir in the wine, bring to a boil and reduce until the liquid is very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the reserved pancetta and beef, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Add the basil and Parmesan rind and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce resembles sloppy joes, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. There shouldn't be any rapid bubbles while cooking. Instead, the ragu should release occasional small bubbles. If the ragu reduces too quickly, add 1/2 cup of water and continue cooking. Repeat if necessary. The ragu needs the full 2 to 2 1/2 hour cook time to develop the flavors.
• Discard the bay leaf, basil and Parmesan rind. Break up any remaining clumps of meat with the back of a spoon, making an even textured sauce. Season with salt and set aside until ready to assemble.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles, stirring occasionally and separating them to prevent sticking, until softened and bendable but are still hard and chalky in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl of cold water and set aside until ready to assemble.
• Stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the Parmesan, the remaining grated garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Set aside until ready to assemble.
• Lightly oil a 13-by-9-inch glass or ceramic baking pan. Spread 1 cup of the ragu evenly in the bottom of the pan. Lay a single layer of noodles over the ragu (if you're using long noodles, you will need to cut some noodles to fill the gaps). Spread 1 1/2 cups of the ragu over the noodles. Dollop 3/4 cup of the ricotta mixture over the ragu and spread lightly with a small offset spatula. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, followed by another layer of noodles. Repeat with the remaining pasta, ragu, ricotta mixture and mozzarella, creating 4 layers of pasta and ending with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. (The lasagna should come just above the top of the pan but it will sink down slightly as it cooks.) Top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Lightly oil a piece of foil and cover the pan. Put the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake the lasagna until bubbling gently around the edges, about 1 hour.
• Remove the lasagna from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F. Remove the foil and then continue to bake the lasagna until the top is browned and crisp around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

EMILY'S STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, place the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a mini food processor. Pulse until blended. Slowly pour in the olive oil, and pulse again until thoroughly blended. Set aside or refrigerate until needed.
• Divide lettuce between 6 serving plates, and top with red onion, almonds, strawberries, and feta cheese. Serve dressing on the side.

BALSAMIC LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oil in pan. Saute onions until tender. Add garlic and saute another 30 seconds. Add balsamic vinegar and continue heating for about 1 minute, stirring often.
• Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, pepper flakes, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer until sauce is thick, about 20 minutes. Stir often, then set aside.
• Cook the lasagna noodles in 4 quarts of lightly salted water until they are al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool.
• Combine the ricotta, eggs, and parsley. Stir well and set aside.
• Combine the mozzarella and gouda in a bowl. Set aside.
• To assemble the lasagna, start with some tomato sauce on the bottom, then noodles, then ricotta mixture, then a little shredded cheese. Repeat this order twice. The last layer should be tomato sauce topped with a little cheese.
• Bake the lasagna uncovered in a 350 degree oven about 40 minutes.

WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• NOODLES: Place lasagna noodles into the bottom of a long pan. Pour hot tap water over the noodles until they are submerged. Let them soak while you prep the lasagna - at least 30 minutes. Agitate the noodles with your hands occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
• FILLING: Add all of the Ricotta Filling ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• ALFREDO SAUCE: Melt 5 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat then whisk in flour and garlic. Cook, while stirring for 2 minutes. Turn heat to low then gradually whisk in half and half, chicken broth and all spices/seasonings.
• Bring to a boil, whisking constantly then reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened (but not overly thick), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted. Stir in chicken until well combined. Add additional milk if needed to thin.
• ASSEMBLE: Lightly grease a deep 9x13 pan. Spread 1 cup Alfredo sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan (layer will be thin). Place 4 noodles (dried off) lengthwise and part of a 5th noodle on top to cover. Spread with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat these layers 2 more times: Alfredo sauce (use one third of remaining Alfredo per layer, about 2 cups), noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella for a total of 3 complete layers. To finish, top with remaining third Alfredo sauce and remaining mozzarella (1 cup).
• BAKE: Cover lasagna with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Turn the oven to broil (550 degree F) without moving the lasagna. Broil until the top is golden in spots, about 3 minutes, watching closely so it doesn't burn. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing.

BALSAMIC-GLAZED TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Sprinkle tuna with pepper and salt. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill fish, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until slightly pink in the center., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Serve with fish.

BALSAMIC ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly oil a large roasting pan.
• Toss together potatoes, carrots, onions, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Arrange vegetables on pan.
• Roast vegetables for 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
• Add cut green beans to pan and roast vegetables for an additional 10 minutes.
• Arrange roasted vegetables on a serving platter and season with salt and pepper.