Bianca Lasagna With Pesto Food

BIANCA LASAGNA WITH PESTO

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combined the asiago, mozzarella and Parmesan. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ricotta and egg. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring frequently and controlling the heat to prevent browning, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue whisking until the sauce has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the prepared pesto. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk 1/4 cup of the pesto cream sauce and the remaining 2 tablespoons prepared pesto into the ricotta mixture. Set aside the remaining sauce.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Working in batches, add the pasta sheets to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
• Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with the olive oil. Add 1/2 cup of the pesto cream sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Place 1 pasta sheet on top of the sauce. Spread 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the mozzarella mixture. Drizzle 1/3 cup pesto cream sauce over the cheese. Repeat the process, layering pasta, ricotta, mozzarella and pesto cream sauce twice more (3 layers in total). Finally finish with the fourth pasta sheet on top, and cover completely with the remaining pesto cream sauce and ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella mixture. Coat a large piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray and cover the lasagna; bake until bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and turn the oven to broil. Broil until the top is a spotty golden brown, about 3 minutes. Allow the lasagna to sit for 15 minutes before topping with the roasted pine nuts and chiffonade of basil. Slice and serve.

WHITE SAUCE LASAGNA (LASAGNA BIANCA)

Steps:

• In a small pot of boiling water add peas and cook until tender about 10 minutes, cook sausage in a small frying pan adding a 1/4 cup of water, cook until browned and cooked thoroughly and water has evaporated (watch that it doesn't burn), in a medium frying pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, add mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of parsley ,1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 cup of water, cook on medium heat until tender and water has evaporated, stirring occasionally , watch that they don't burn. When done, add the drained peas, italian sausage to the mushrooms and combine well. In a large pot melt butter over medium heat, blend in flour and salt, gradually stir in milk , cook and stir over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble and thicken, remove from heat. In a medium baking pan (I used a 12x10) spread a ladle (using a 1/2 cup ladle) of sauce on the bottom of the pan (keeps the noodles from sticking) then doing 4 layers , place lasagna noodles (or strips) on top (I used 4 for every level, 1 noodle break in half length wise to fit the pan if need be), add 1 1/2 to 2 ladles of sauce (spread so that it covers the noodles), 1/4 of the mixture spread on top, 1/4 of the chopped mozzarella, and a 1/4 of the grated parmesan cheese for 4 layers. Bake in 350° degree oven for approximately 20-25 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting . Enjoy!
• *the new oven ready lasagne (no boiling needed) is a perfect alternative. I'm sure you can find it in the pasta section of your supermarket.