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Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 Anna Maria Volpi - All Rights reserved.
for the balsamella sauce
6 tablespoons (75 gr approximately) butter
3 oz (75 gr approximately) flour
3 1/4 cups (750 cc) milk
salt
2 oz (60 gr) parmigiano reggiano, freshly grated
pinch of nutmeg
for the broccoli filling
1 cauliflower, approximately 2 lb (1 kg)
salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 oz (60 gr) butter
for the lasagna
salt
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 oz (150 gr) fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and diced
4 oz (120 gr) parmigiano reggiano cheese, freshly grated
Lasagna con
Crema di Broccoli
Lasagna with
Cauliflower Cream
Put 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 oz butter in a skillet. When the butter starts foaming, add mashed cauliflower, and sauté until the broccoli are tender.
Combine the balsamella sauce, adjust salt and pepper if necessary, and turn heat off.
Preparing the cauliflower filling
Clean the cauliflower (as indicated on the recipe at the link). Place the cauliflower in a pot full of boiling lightly salted water. Boil the cauliflower until tender but still firm. Drain thoroughly, transfer to a bowl, and coarsely mash them with a fork.
Assembling the lasagna
Check on the recipe for the Lasagna Bolognese how to boil the pasta strips:
* Bring the water to a boil in a stockpot. Add salt and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Prepare a separate container of cold water.
* Cook the pasta until al dente (firm but not too soft or overcooked). Check the manufacturer’s instruction for cooking time, but test a little piece for readiness from time to time.
* Remove the pasta with a slotted spoon, drop briefly in the cold water to stop the cooking process, and place in a colander to drain.
* After the strips are drained, place them flat on a kitchen cloth and tap them gently with the cloth to dry.
Preheat oven 350 F. Butter a flat oven pan approximately 9 x 12 inch (22 x 30 cm) and spread over it 2 – 3 tablespoons of cauliflower cream.
Place one layer of pasta strips . . . .
. . . . spread some of the broccoli cream. . . .
. . . diced mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano cheese.
Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
Finish topping the last layer of pasta with diced mozzarella . . .
. . . . and grated parmigiano cheese. Place in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes or until golden. Serve it hot but let it set 5 minutes before serving.
To taste for readiness pierce the lasagna with a fork. When ready the lasagna will be soft.
Lasagna can be conveniently prepared in advance, refrigerated or frozen, to be cooked at a later time.
The quantity of fresh pasta indicated in the recipe could be excessive for this dish. Leftovers of the flattened dough can be cut into a different shape (such as fettuccine) and used for a different preparation.
Adele Volpi Monini
Antica
Favorita
** NOTE **
The pictures have been taken at the “Antica Favorita” restaurant. The quantities shown are much larger than this recipe.