Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Easy Lasagna

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 pound (500 g) ground beef (mince)
1 pound (500 g) jar pasta sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine
1 tablespoon mixed herbs
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound (500 g) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup milk
8 ounce (240 g) packet instant lasagna noodles
8 ounces (250 g) Mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Microwave Method:

1. Place oil, onion and garlic in a 2 quart (litre) casserole, cook for 2 minutes on HIGH.
2. Stir in beef. Cook, uncovered, for 6 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH. Stir in halfway through cooking. When cooked, drain excess meat juice.
3. Add pasta sauce, tomato paste, wine, mixed herbs, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cook a further 5-6 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH. Stir once during cooking. When cooked, remove bay leaf.
4. Combine ricotta cheese and milk together.
5. Cover the base of a 11 x 8 inch (28 x 20 cm) lasagna dish with one-third of meat sauce.
6. Dip lasagna noodles in hot water and place on top of meat sauce. Top with one-third of remaining meat sauce, one-third of ricotta and one-third Mozzarella cheese.
7. Repeat process ending with Mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
8. Cook for 10-12 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH. Allow to stand before serving.

Convection Microwave Method:

1. Place oil, onion and garlic in a 2 quart (litre) casserole, cook for 2 minutes on HIGH.
2. Stir in beef. Cook, uncovered, for 6 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH. Stir in halfway through cooking. When cooked, drain excess meat juice.
3. Add pasta sauce, tomato paste, wine, mixed herbs, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cook a further 5-6 minutes on MEDIUM HIGH. Stir once during cooking. When cooked, remove bay leaf.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
5. Combine ricotta cheese and milk together.
6. Cover the base of a 11 x 8 inch (28 x 20 cm) lasagna dish with one-third of meat sauce.
7. Dip lasagna noodles in hot water and place on top of meat sauce. Top with one-third of remaining meat sauce, one-third of ricotta and one-third Mozzarella cheese.
8. Repeat process ending with Mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
9. Place on Low Rack and cook for 16-20 minutes on HIGH MIX/ROAST. Allow to stand a few minutes before serving.

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