We at Delitay’s have brought the tradition of lavish Italian lasagne as a handmade meal-for-one in the elegancy of a simple glass. But if you want to make this from scratch for family or guests, we can help you on the way. Being a versatile comfort food, it can be prepared ahead making it a smart option for entertaining.
So before you begin, select your recipe and consider the
following 15 points for a terrific lasagne!
1. BE SELECTIVE!
It seems self-evident, but really the taste and consistency will always depend on the quality and freshness of your ingredients.
2. CHOOSE EGG PASTA!
We recommend using dried egg lasagne sheets, which are both richer and silkier than plain lasagne sheets.
3. PASSATA FOR BOLOGNESE!
This is made from uncooked, puréed tomatoes and doesn’t have the aggressive acidity of tomato paste or the lumpiness of tinned tomatoes.
4. BE PATIENT!
Rome wasn’t built in a day . For a good sauce, time is a keycomponent. Let your sauce simmer for the length of time stated in your chosen recipe. The longer you simmer your sauce the richer and flavoursome it becomes.
5. SPICE IT UP!
Add bay leaves, oregano, rosemary or thyme while your sauce is simmering and don‘t skimp on salt and pepper - constant seasoning throughout cooking helps!
6. EXPERIMENT!
There is no one true Italian lasagne recipe, so be bold and make your own, combining different sauces, meats, vegetables and cheeses to create your own special one.
7. GET CHEESY!
Add some luxury and use mascarpone to enrich the red sauce and sprinkle some grated parmesan over the dish before serving.
8. WATCH THE SLOTH!
Keep an eye on how much liquid you’re using. Remember, vegetables cook down and can create a lot of excess liquid. Try roasting or sautéing your veggies prior to layering that will help you regulate the liquid.
9. STOP THE DRYING OUT!
Cover it in the oven with tin foil, remove it halfway so the top can brown nicely. Refer to your chosen recipe for the right oven temperature to slow-bake your lasagne.
10. DON’T BE SHY WITH THE WINE!
If you are cooking for dinner guests, add some full-bodied red wine to the sauce to give it that extra kick.
11. BEFORE SERVING!
Before serving let your lasagne rest and settle uncovered for 15-20 minutes to avoid a sloppy mess when you take it out of the form
12. HOW TO BEGIN!
To make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the dish, start with a layer of red sauce. Make sure the final layer of pasta is completely covered by a white sauce topped with cheese.
13. FREEZE AND EAT!
You can freeze the lasagne once cooked, or allow the unbaked lasagne to cool completely and freeze unbaked.
14. TASTES GOOD FOR LONGER!
Some foods should be eaten fresh but the best thing about lasagne is that you can make it a day ahead and can reheat it with the taste still being fantastic.
15. SERVING IDEAS!
Lasagne is a filling and satisfying dish, so go light and serve it with a bit of tomato feta salad, green salad or roasted veggies.
DROP US A LINE IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE DON’T IN MAKING A TERRIFIC LASAGNE!
