RECIPE: REC: Spinach Bechamel Lasagna. I was sure I had posted this here, but when a friend asked for it,

RECIPE:

joe

Well-known member
I had to retrieve it from Gail's archives.

This is a rich creamy white lasagna from Moosewood collective, great on its own or as a vegetarian option next to a traditional meat and tomato sauce lasagna.

SPINACH BECHAMEL LASAGNE

From Sundays at Moosewood.

For a 4-quart (10x15") pan, serving at least 12. To feed a crowd, a triple recipe fills 4 regular Pyrex (9x13") pans. It can be assembled a day or two before baking and refrigerated, or it can be frozen. Defrost thoroughly before baking and allow a little longer for a chilled dish to cook.)

3 bunches fresh spinach

Salt

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cups chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 lb ricotta cheese, preferably whole milk

2 eggs

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped parsley

6 cups milk, plus more if needed

cup butter

1 cup flour

Salt, pepper and nutmeg

1 lb. lasagne noodles (or sheets of fresh pasta, if you have the time)

2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese, preferably whole milk

1-1/2cups grated Parmesan cheese

SPINACH: (Original recipe has you simply chop the spinach and stir it into the onions, but it's so much better if you blanch it first). Put a large pot of salted water on high heat. Pull the stems off the spinach backwards and wash in several changes of water. Drain. When water is boiling, add spinach and blanch until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain quickly and rinse in a colander under cold water to set the color. Squeeze excess water out of spinach with your hands. Chop roughly and set aside.

Saute the onions in the olive oil until tender and translucent, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Add spinach and the 1/2 cup parsley and saute about 5 minutes more. Set aside.

FILLING: Mix together the ricotta cheese, the 1/4 cup parsley and the 2/3 cup Parmesan. Beat in the eggs. Set aside.

BECHAMEL SAUCE: Heat the milk in a saucepan or in the microwave. To make a roux, melt the butter in another saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, 3-4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the hot milk. Bring to the simmer, stirring constantly, and simmer for several more minutes. It will be very thick. If it's too thick to stir add more milk. Season highly to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove from heat, but stir it from time to time so it doesn't form a skin on top.

ASSEMBLY: Preheat the oven to 350:F. Boil the lasagne noodles in salted water until almost tender. Drain and rinse. Now layer the dish as follows:

1-1/2 to 2 cups sauce

A single layer of noodles, trimmed to fit

1/2 of the spinach mixture

All of the mozzarella

1-1/2 to 2 cups sauce

Another layer of noodles

All of the ricotta mixture

The rest of the spinach

1-1/2 to 2 cups sauce

A final layer of noodles

The rest of the sauce

All of the parmesan

Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more, or until bubbling hot and golden brown. Let rest 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.

 
I have made Ina's spinach gratin, but not everyone likes so much spinach. This lasagne gives a

smaller, delicious dose. Thanks for posting this.

 
You're welcome, Ang. I used to make this all the time, and then abandoned it when Bon Appetit

came out with their Wild Mushroom Lasagna.

I had made it for my brother's reheasal dinner 12 years ago, and just last week his sister-in-law requested the recipe--she still remembered it. I think it's time I revise it myself.

 
I will cut it into smaller squares than if I were serving it as the main dish. We are

having prime rib and I think it would be a nice addition, in small servings. There are usually plenty of other veggies and salads and someone usually makes stuffed potatoes, but I think this will be a nice choice.

 
the foil helmut is working and I'm not going to make this, I talked a friend into doing it "-))

 
It's amazing how nice a vegetarian entree like this can be....

when served with a big juicy hunk of prime rib!

 
You can't escape. The foil just deflects my channelling to your friends......

and besides, I know some Italian:

balsamella......................balsamella........................balsamella.......................

 
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