Lasagna al forno

Lasagna consists of flat, thin pasta sheets. There are also lasagna sheets with ridged surfaces. Between these sheets, ground meat in tomato sauce, vegetables and cheese are stuffed. The minced meat in tomato sauce is called ragu. Usually there are three to four layers of pasta sheet in the dish. Al forno means that it is baked in a oven. Traditionally, this is a wood-fired oven. In our sought-after Italian restaurant in Stockholm, all dishes would be placed on a wooden board with a long handle and placed in the center of a brick oven. All pizzas from the eatery Forno Romano used to have that awesome charred flavor.

 

 

The ingredients required to knock up a delish lasagna..

 

Lasagna sheets - 4

Water

Chicken, boneless - 300g

Green bell peppers - 1

Olive oil - 2 tsp

Carom seeds - 1/4 tsp

Onions - 2

Ginger - 1/2 inch

Garlic - 4 cloves

Green chili - 1

Tomato - 2

Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Freshly ground pepper - 1/4 tsp

Oregano - 1 tsp

Shredded mozarella - 5 Tbsp

 

 

 

 

 

 

The method to summon the fabulous lasagna..

Place lasagna sheets in boiling water with a drop of oil and a pinch of salt. Cook until al dente.

Chop onion, tomato and bell pepper into small slices. Mince garlic, ginger and green chili. Slice chicken into half inch pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a saucepan, drizzle oil and add in carom seeds. Throw in onions, garlic, ginger and chili. Sautee till the onion becomes soft. Add in tomatoes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few minutes, add salt, pepper, garam masala and oregano. Stir. Allow to cool.

Grind to a rough paste. This is the tomato sauce.

Cook chicken bits in little oil, salt, pepper and oregano till the pink color disappears and is replaced by a deep cream hue. Keep aside to cool.

Grind chicken to a rough mince texture. Add assembled tomato paste to it. Keep for later.

Cook bell peppers in a tad bit of oil for a few minutes. Intermingle with the prepared ragu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layer pasta sheet and ragu. Top off with mozarella.

Bake in oven at 180C for 10 minutes. Slice square pieces and serve when the cheese is sizzling hot and melting.