krispy84

The mornay sauce is a good point rather than a strict béchamel. I use a strong cheddar over here, not authentic but I like the flavour. Then a generous grating of Parmesan over the final mornay layer. As per the previous poster, I don't make lasagne often, but when I do I like to make it with a sauce and bolognaise from scratch.

What are people's thoughts on nutmeg? I add a generous amount to the mornay sauce and over the top of the finished dish before it goes in the oven. I like the background fragrance it gives.

bigguyinpasadena

Yes on the nutmeg- preferably freshly grated. And a good really aged English Cheddar (such as a bandaged Neal"s Yard Cheddar-which I love) would be an okay substitution. This is totally different than most cheddar Americans buy.

CDTraveler

It's a lovely cheese, but why waste it in a lasagne?

I prefer it at room temperature with a glass of something nice and a tart apple.

obscure2k

Nutmeg is essential when making a spinach lasagna. @:-)

Cloudship

I HATE nutmeg, so no, I don't want it. Then again I hate spinach too so probably wouldn't make a spinach lasagne to begin with.

Good lasagne needs to be cooked, cooled and sit for a day, and then reheated.

obscure2k

Agree about cooling and reheating (slowly). Everything sets nicely and less likely to fall apart.

bigguyinpasadena

I really only like it when it is fresh out of the oven (after resting a bit to settle) but being as there are usually left overs I will eat it again.
Being single I do not cook like this very often and this is a dish I only make for people I like/love. Folks make a big deal out of a standing rip roast or a whole roast turkey- those are easy! A dish like this takes time and care and you have to know what you are doing if you are going to make it right.

Cloudship

Unfortunately I have discovered that lasagne freezes awfully well, meaning I can make a pan of it and have 8 lunches for the next few weeks. My waistline has been paying the price.

cubbie

Made lasagna today. Glad to see people think it's better upon reheating, because it took so long to make that I had to eat lunch in the middle of the process, and now I'm not hungry at all. I look forward to having lasagna for dinner and freezing the rest in portions for future meals.

I doctored up a large jar of Victoria tomato sauce (too acidic for my taste on its own; added a dash of baking soda, salt, pepper, sugar, Italian seasoning, parsley, a spoonful of concentrated beef broth base, white wine, and a slug of half & half)...

and I doctored up a tub of ricotta cheese (two beaten eggs, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, a slug of half & half) ...

and, persuaded by previous posts, I gave up my idea of tomato sauce only/ricotta sauce only layers, and went with a sequence of tomato sauce/pasta/ricotta, tomato sauce/pasta/ricotta, etc. Topped it with tomato sauce and generous sprinkling of a grated Italian cheese mix and a last dash of Italian seasoning.

Covered with foil, 35 minutes in the oven at 375 deg F, removed foil, turned oven up to 450 deg F, 10 more minutes.

Oh, forgot to mention I used Barilla no-boil noodles, five layers, I think.

It looks fantastic. I'll find out at dinner if it tastes fantastic; I'm optimistic.

stut

Another factor - having seen a telly programme last night that was trying out using kelp in place of pasta for lasagne sheets (verdict: tasty but chewy) - what are people's preferences on the sauce thickness.

The lasagne presented was sloppy - a fairly liquid bechamel and fairly liquid ragu combining as a leaky pink mess. IMO, it should be able to stand on its "own two feet" as it were. What say the jury?

kipper

Thick sauce. Not too thick so as to be a paste, but thick enough that it doesn't run out of the lasagna.

bigguyinpasadena

Since the pasta absorbs much of the liquid using kelp would require adjusting the sturdiness of the filling. Also since the actual name "Lasagna" refers to a pasta product it should be called Kelp Casserole or Kelp Strata

stut

Yeah, I file it up there with cauliflower couscous or courgette spaghetti (aka courgetti).

I have, however, seen plenty sloppy lasagne in my time, with kelp nowhere near them.

violist

Yes, a certain solidity is expected of the dish.

Exactamente. And let the whole casserole (not just the thing
with a square or two taken out of it) set for several hours
before cutting into it.

It shouldn't happen in the first place, but if it must, changing the
consistency of the sauce and the filling would be mandatory. And
it should in fact be called "coastal-style lasagne-type abomination"
or something like that.

krispy84

Yes I agree on the 'solidity' of the lasgane. You should be able to eat it from a plate rather than needing a bowl. I find this requires it being left to rest for a couple of hours (at least) once it's been cooked, then reheated if needed. If I don't let it rest and try and take a portion too soon the lasagne and the portion collapse, v unsatisfactory!