15/4/13 - Alanah Knight [KNALD1201]

Italian Food! ♥

You may be familiar with one or more of these brands, if so, you've probably eaten Italian food!

The History of Italian food

Italian food differs depending on which part of Italy it is prepared in. Traditionally, Food from the North includes ingredients such as butter, polenta, and different kinds of creams. On the other hand, traditional food from Southern Italy includes ingredients such as caciocavallo, peconrino and mozzarella cheeses. Both parts of the country use Olive oil in most of their dishes however the olive oil is different depending where you are. In Northern Italy, it is a golden yellow and refined. In southern Italy, it is dark and greener in colour. Even pizza is different depending what part of Italy you're in, with different sections of Italy making the food their own unique way.

An Italian Recipe I enjoy!

This is an Italian recipe that i thoroughly enjoy. This is a traditional Lasagne. The elements of the Dish are a tomato meat sauce,White/cheesy Sauce, Pasta sheets, and of course more cheese!


The Follwing recipe can be found at this address: http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/louises-lasagna-L7414.html

Ingredients

Bolognaise sauce
1 Tablespoon oil
700g lean beef mince
1/2 1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 x 400g cans tomatoes, diced 100g tomato paste 2 tablespoons dried oregano, or to taste 1 tablespoon dried basil, or to taste 1/2 teaspon dried rosemary or to tasty Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese Sauce
60g butter
1/3 cups of plain flour
3 cups milk
1 cup shredded tasty cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Salt, pepper, to taste
Extra's
1 x 250g packet lasagna sheets 1/2 cup tasty cheddar cheese 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Method

Bolognaise sauce
Heat oil in a large saucepan
Add mince, onion and garlic. (cook until meat is browned)
Add remaining bolognaise ingrediente.
Simmer gently for 15 mins.
Cheese sauce
Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat.
stir in flour until smooth, and cook gently, stirring for 30-60 seconds
Add milk, stir and bring to a simmer
Stir constantly until smooth and thickened
Add remaining cheese sauce ingredients
Stir over heat until cheese melts
Spray a rectangular baking dish with oil
Arrange 3 Lasagne sheets over the base.
Spoon one third of the bolognaise sauce over pasta sheets. Spread evenly to the edges of the dish.
Spoon one third of the cheese sauce evenly ofer the meat layer.
Repeat these layers twice
Top with remaining pasta sheets and cheese sauce
Top with shredded and Parmesan cheese
Bake at 180 for 50 mins, covering with foil when the top is a light golden brown.

The evaluation

Overall this is a delicious recipe. I would improve it by changing the packet pasta for traditional fresh pasta, and also something noteworthy is that it takes a long, long time for the sauce to simmer down so it's thick enough that when the lasagne comes out of the oven, it isn't going to be watery and turn mushy. (authough even when mushy it still tastes delicious)

Here is a video on more tips for when making lasagna by Karin Dubois!