Winter Lasagna

During the Winter, I am always trying out new foods to warm me up! This Lasagna recipe is a fun twist on traditional Lasagna, and is a perfect winter dish to share with friends. I think I will make it this week and hope you do the same!  Any food with greens, noodles and cheese usually make me happy and are worth a weekend indulgence.

Winter Greens Lasagna

 By Amy Wisniewski

Wilting the greens with cream and layering them with ricotta and Parmesan makes this a satisfying lasagne that’s both easy (no sauce to prepare) and vegetarian. Even those who don’t usually get excited by cooking greens enjoy the earthy flavors they provide here.

What to buy: Crème fraîche is a naturally thickened fresh cream with a tangy flavor and a rich texture, and it doesn’t curdle or separate when heated. If you can’t find it, sour cream is a decent substitute.

This recipe was featured as part of our Cooking with Winter Ingredients photo gallery.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, medium dice
• 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 pound red kale, washed, tough stems removed, and coarsely chopped (about 10 cups)
• 1 pound Swiss chard, washed, tough stems removed, and coarsely chopped (about 8 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups crème fraîche
• 1 (9-ounce) box no-boil lasagna noodles
• 1 pound fresh ricotta
• 2 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 5 ounces)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 400ºF and arrange a rack in the middle. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When it shimmers, add the onion and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the cream and a few handfuls of greens and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly wilted. Continue adding greens a little at a time until they all are slightly wilted. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender, completely wilted, and coated in cream, about 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and remove from heat.
3. Spread 1 cup of the crème fraîche evenly over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Cover with a layer of 4 noodles, allowing them to overlap slightly. Using a slotted spoon, scoop a third of the greens mixture from the cream and evenly spread it over the noodles, then cover with a third of the ricotta and a quarter of the Parmesan. Repeat to make two more layers, and end with a final layer of noodles on top. Evenly pour 1/4 cup of the warm cream over the noodles. Mix together the remaining crème fraîche and Parmesan and spread it evenly over top.
4. Cover the lasagne with foil and bake until bubbling and starting to brown, about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the top is browned completely and the sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Beverage pairing: Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Blanc, Italy. The cream and cheese in this dish suggest a white wine with both acid and some heft, while the chard and kale beg for something with earthiness and herbaceousness. Sauvignon Blanc is the answer, especially one from Friuli in northeastern Italy, where it often has great acid structure and fine apple and lime flavors, as well as a high-pitched green streak.