Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mediterranean Lasagna

I don't normally like to post 2 recipes in a row, but I have to type this out before I forget it! It's in the oven right now, so I will come back and edit it later perhaps, with my review. Also, please let me know if you have any ideas to make this dish yummier for future attempts! I love making recipes up as I go. =)

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cook or soak lasagna noodles, according to the instructions on the box.

Open a large can of crushed tomatoes, and take out a large spoonful and spread over the bottom of your lasagna pan. Set the rest aside.

In a pan over medium heat, saute 1 medium onion (chopped finely), 2 tsp dried parsley, and 1 tsp rosemary in a bit of olive oil. After a couple minutes add 1 lb of ground lamb and several cloves of finely chopped/crushed garlic (I used half a bulb). Cover and cook, mixing every couple minutes, until meat is all cooked. Pour in 3/4 of the can of crushed tomatoes, then add 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic salt (or kosher salt), and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and mix well. Let simmer for a few minutes uncovered.

In a separate covered pan also over medium heat, saute a clove or two of finely chopped/crushed garlic, and a mountain of baby spinach (or chopped spinach) in olive oil, stirring every minute or so. I used a whole package of organic baby spinach, it barely fit in the pan, but it shrunk down a lot once it was cooked. After it is all wilted (it only takes a few minutes), add a pinch of kosher salt and the rest of the crushed tomatoes and mix well.

Put a layer of lasagna noodles down over the crushed tomatoes in the pan. Then add a layer of cottage cheese, topped with the lamb mixture. Add another layer of noodles, top with the spinach mixture, and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and black olives. Then add another layer of noodles, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Loosely cover the pan with tin foil, and cook for 45 minutes. Then remove foil, increase the temperature to 450 degrees F, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until cheese on top browns.

Enjoy with a side of Greek salad!

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