When you only make lasagna about once a year, you've got to do it right. It isn't the time for gluten free noodles or "lite" cheese. What it is time for is homemade noodles and ricotta made from your farm-fresh whole raw milk.
HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE
8 cups organic whole milk
4 cups organic cream
2 tsp sea salt
6 Tbsp organic lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Method: Bring the milk, cream and salt to a full boil in pot set over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Pour milk into a sieve lined with cheese cloth and drain until you achieve the consistency you like.
EGG PASTA
2 cups organic unbleached flour
1 cup organic whole wheat flour
3 large organic eggs
3 tsp ev olive oil
a bit of water as necessary
Method: Combine the flour and the salt in a bowl, make a well in the middle, and add the egg and olive oil. Using your fingers, lightly work in the egg. When it is well combined, press the mixture to form dough. Add more water if necessary at this point. Turn it out onto a floured counter and begin to knead for about 5-10 minutes, until it feels smooth and supple. Put it in a bowl and cover with a plate so it can rest for at least half an hour before rolling it out with a pasta machine.
BEEF LASAGNA
1 batch homemade ricotta
1 batch homemade pasta
1 1/2 jars organic pasta sauce, or homemade -
make it a bit watery because noodles need to soak up some liquid
1 1/2 large blocks organic mozzarella, grated
2 pounds organic grass-fed ground beef
1 organic onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 cups cooked greens -
(I used frozen lamb's quarters but spinach or chard works well too)
10 organic mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbsp ev olive oil
Method: Preheat oven to 350*. Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat. Drizzle with some olive oil and sauce the onion, beef and mushrooms until the meat is no longer pink.
Spread some tomato sauce onto the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place 3 strips of lasagna noodles in bottom of pan, spread with sauce, sprinkle with some chopped greens, beef mixture, ricotta, and cheese. Repeat two more times. Final layer is just noodles, sauce and mozzarella. Sprinkle with ground pepper and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until cheese starts to brown. Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before cutting.
