Baked Lasagna with Asparagus and Pesto

Prep Time:

1 hr 15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

hr min

Cook Time:

15 min

Level:

Serves:

4 servings

Recipe Courtesy of Mario Batali

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus, medium-sized
• 1 recipe basic pasta, rolled to thinnest setting on pasta machine
• 2 cups salsa balsamella
• 1 cup pesto sauce (see below)
• 1 cup grated pecorino sardo
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

To Make Pesto Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, preferably picolo fino
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated pecorino
• 5 ounces Ligurian extra virgin olive oil

Directions

In a large stone mortar, place pine nuts, basil, garlic and salt and grind with a pestle until paste. Add cheeses and drizzle in olive oil, beating with a wooden spoon. Store in jars, topped with extra virgin olive oil.

To Prepare Baked Lasagna Dish:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Bring 6 quarts water to boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Set up ice bath next to boiling water.

Trim asparagus and boil one minute. Drain and refresh in ice bath. Remove, drain well, and cut into 4-inch to 5-inch pieces and set aside.

Cut pasta into 5-inch squares and drop into same boiling water as asparagus. Cook one minute until tender. Remove and refresh in ice bath. Drain on towels and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, stir balsamella, pesto, and grated cheese together until mixed well. Butter 4 gratin dishes and place one piece of 5-inch pasta on the bottom of each one. On top of pasta, place the following: 3 pieces of asparagus, followed by 2 tablespoons pesto, followed by another piece of pasta. Continue with this layering until you have 4 pieces of pasta and 4 layers of asparagus and pesto mixture. Lay one more piece of pasta on top, followed by a spoonful of pesto mixture and sprinkle each of the 4 gratin dishes with bread crumbs. Put all 4 dishes in oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown on top. Remove and serve immediately

Grilled Vegetable Lasagna with Puttanesca Sauce and Pesto Oil

Prep Time:

1 hr 0 min

Inactive Prep Time:

0 min

Cook Time:

1 hr 25 min

Level:

0

Serves:

8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ricotta
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pesto Oil, recipe follows
• Puttanesca Sauce, recipe follows
• 1 1/4 pounds lasagna noodles
• Grilled Vegetables, recipe follows
• 8 ounces mozzarella, coarsely grated

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl mix the ricotta cheese with salt and half a cup of Pesto Oil.

Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish, then spoon 1/2 cup of Puttanesca Sauce onto the bottom of the dish. Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles. Top the lasagna with a layer of ricotta, then a layer of eggplant, zucchini, onion and red pepper, a layer of grated mozzarella, and a layer of puttanesca sauce. Repeat layering the lasagna, ricotta, vegetables, mozzarella and sauce in this manner until all ingredients have been used, ending with mozzarella on top.

Bake until the lasagna is bubbling and golden brown, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving, drizzled with some of the remaining pesto oil.

Puttanesca Sauce:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 2 (28-ounce) cans Roma plum tomatoes, broken into pieces, with juice
• 1 cup tightly packed, pitted, chopped Kalamata olives
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons drained capers
• 2 tablespoons (about 8) minced anchovy fillets
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt

In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and lightly caramelized, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the remaining ingredients and simmer until the sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, about 40 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste, cover and set aside.

Pesto Oil:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

In the bowl of a food processor or blender place the garlic and basil and process on high while adding the olive oil in a steady stream. Continue to process until well blended, season with salt to taste and set aside until ready to assemble lasagna.

Grilled Vegetables: 4 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices 4 red or yellow bell peppers, roasted, seeded and peeled 2 medium eggplants (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch rounds 2 large yellow onions, cut into 1/4-inch rounds 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Light the grill or pre-heat the broiler.

In a large shallow bowl, toss the eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper and onion with the oil and salt. If using the broiler, arrange the vegetables in a single layer on 2 lightly greased or non-stick baking sheets. Grill or broil in batches, turning the vegetables once, until they are tender, lightly browned, and have released most of their moisture, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.

SOUP Provencal Vegetable

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

1 hr 0 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
• 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 to 4 leeks)
• 3 cups 1/2-inch-diced unpeeled boiling potatoes (1 pound)
• 3 cups 1/2-inch-diced carrots (1 pound)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 quarts homemade chicken stock or canned broth
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/2 pound haricots verts, ends removed and cut in 1/2
• 4 ounces spaghetti, broken in pieces
• 1 cup Pistou, recipe follows
• Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot, add the onions, and saute over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, salt, and pepper and saute over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and saffron, bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the haricots verts and spaghetti, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 more minutes.

To serve, whisk 1/4 cup of the pistou into the hot soup, then season to taste. Depending on the saltiness of your chicken stock, you may need to add up to another tablespoon of salt. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and more pistou.

Pistou:

4 large garlic cloves

1/4 cup tomato paste

24 large basil leaves

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/2 cup good olive oil

Place the garlic, tomato paste, basil, and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and puree. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil down the feed tube to make a paste. Pack into a container, pour a film of olive oil on top, and close the lid.

Yield: 1 cup

DESSERT Plum Tart

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), diced
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 pounds firm, ripe Italian prune plums, pitted and quartered lengthwise

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the flour, walnuts, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until crumbly.

Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the plums in the pan, skin side down, to form a flower pattern; begin at the outside and work your way in.

Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over the plums. Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it's lightly browned and the plum juices are bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and transfer the tart to a flat plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ENTRE Zucchini Gratin

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping
• 1 pound yellow onions, cut in 1/2 and sliced (3 large)
• 2 pounds zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick (4 zucchini)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup hot milk
• 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated Gruyere

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.

Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.

APPETIZER Tomato Basil Palmiers

Copyright, 2005, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Yield: 20 serving pieces

1 1/4 cups sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
5 cups basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup good olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)
1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

To make the paste, place the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for 15 seconds. Set aside.

Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured board. With a rolling pin, lightly roll the dough until it's a 13-inch square. Using a knife, spread the paste over the top of the puff pastry. Fold the sides of the square toward the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the 2 folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold one half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Brush each piece with egg wash and place in the oven. Bake for 6 minutes. Turn each pastry slice over and continue baking an additional 5 minutes.

ENTRE Sangria Glazed Prawns

Recipe courtesy Guy Fieri

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Glaze:
3/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sherry
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water

For the Prawns:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 apple, cored, diced
1 pound shrimp (21 to 25 count), cleaned and deveined
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
Sprigs fresh mint

For the glaze: In a small sauce pot add all ingredients except cornstarch and water. On medium-low heat, simmer and reduce mixture by 1/3. In small sauce bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Then whisk this into the hot mixture. Turn heat to low and simmer until reduced by half.

For the prawns: In medium saute pan add butter and oil. When butter is melted add onions and peppers. Cook until translucent but not to achieve color. Add apples and prawns, and cook until prawns turn pink. Toss with paprika and glaze.

Garnish with fresh mint.

ENTRE Garlic Onion Tortilla Cake

Recipe courtesy Guy Fieri

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 1 hour
Inactive Prep Time: 28 hours
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 16 portions

2/3 cup canola oil
4 cups small chopped red onion
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup roasted garlic, from jar
5 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper
12 flour tortillas
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to caramelize but not over brown. Add butter and sugar and cook until onions have nicely caramelized, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Once cooled mix together the remaining ingredients except for the tortillas and vinegar; refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

After mixture has had time to meld, set aside 1/3 of the mixture for the dipping sauce and evenly spread the remaining mixture on the top of 11 tortillas. Stack the tortillas on top of one another, with the last tortilla on top having no mixture spread on it. Wrap tortilla stack in plastic wrap and let set up for 12 to 24 hours in refrigerator.

Heat a grill heat. Cut the stack into 16 wedges. Grill each wedge on each side until warmed and grill marks appear. Mix reserved mixture with balsamic vinegar for dipping sauce. Serve tortilla wedges with dipping sauce.

ENTRE Grilled California Pizzas

Copyright, 2004, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 pizzas

For the dough:
1 1/4 cups warm (100 to 110 degrees F) water
2 packages dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons good olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
2 teaspoons kosher salt

For the toppings (select 8):
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound fresh mozzarella, grated
1/2 pound Italian Fontina, grated
1/2 pound mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, sliced
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and julienned
1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced and julienned
1 bunch arugula, cleaned and dried
6 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
4 pork or turkey sausages, cooked and sliced
1 bunch basil leaves, cleaned and dried
4 garlic cloves, roasted
Crushed red pepper flakes

For prep:
1/2 cup good olive oil
Cornmeal

For the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups flour, then the salt, and mix. While mixing, add 1 more cup of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with flour, if necessary, to keep it from sticking to the bowl.

When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it several times to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each one into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

If you've chilled the dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature. Roll and stretch each ball into a rough 8-inch circle and place them all on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. (You will be able to fit 2 pizzas on each 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.)

Light your grill and wait until it's hot.

Place the pizzas directly onto the grill and cook on 1 side for 1 minute. Turn the pizzas over and brush with olive oil or garlic oil.

Top the pizzas with any toppings you wish, piling them high. Drizzle each pizza with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Put the lid on your grill and cook for 5 minutes more, until the crust is crisp and the toppings are cooked.

DESSERT Australian Outback Damper

Recipe passed down to me from my grandfather, Colin Joseph Sattler, who was Assistant Stationmaster at Toronto Railway Station, New South Wales, Australia

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf

3 cups self-raising flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. (375 degrees F. for fan-forced ovens)

Beat together egg, sugar then milk. Combine with dry ingredients in mixer using dough hook attachment. Add wet ingredients to mixer at medium speed, using a little extra milk if necessary to get to a good dough consistency. Form loaf on a floured baking sheet, brush top with a little of the remaining egg mixture, and mark on bias with a sharp knife. Bake 30 minutes until nicely browned. Wrap in tea towel until cool. Slice and serve with jam and whipped or clotted cream.

DRINK Pomegranate Soda

Copyright 2006, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

1/3 volume pomegranate juice
2/3 volume sparkling water
1 freshly squeezed lime
1 tablespoon superfine sugar

Mix the ingredients together in a pitcher and serve over ice.

APPETIZER Parmesan Thyme Crackers

Copyright 2006, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 30 to 36 crackers

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 ounces grated Parmesan
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until creamy. Add the Parmesan, flour, salt, thyme and pepper and combine.

Dump the dough on a lightly floured board and roll into a 13-inch long log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the log crosswise into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a sheet pan and bake for 22 minutes.

SIDE DISH Garlic and Herb Tomatoes

Copyright 2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home, All Rights Reserved

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

3 tablespoons good olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
2 pints cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a saute pan large enough to hold all the tomatoes in one layer. Add the garlic to the oil and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to loose their firm round shape. Sprinkle with a little fresh chopped basil and parsley and serve hot or at room temperature.