Author Notes
This recipe can be followed as is, or tweaked to your climate. Our dry test kitchen, for example, had our chef increasing the eggs called for until the dough just came together. Danford also encourages readers to adjust all recipes in the book as they see fit. “Italians are very ‘loose’ with recipes. Adjusting on the fly is certainly in the spirit of the book and Slow Food.”
Like many baked dishes, this lasagna is even tastier the day after it is prepared, as the flavors meld together as it sits. It’s a great dish for entertaining, as you can make it entirely in advance and simply reheat it when your guests arrive.
The recipe come from the "Vegetariano" cookbook via Barbara Torresan, of Milano, Lombardia.
Featured in: A Spiced & Creamy Lasagna to Fall Head Over Heels For —Food52
Ingredients
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6 cups
unbleached all-purpose flour, divided
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4
large eggs (plus more, as needed)
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Salt, to taste
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1 tablespoon
golden raisins
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1 1/2 pounds
spinach
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8 tablespoons
(1 stick) unsalted butter
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1 tablespoon
pine nuts
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7 ounces
fontina
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4 cups
whole milk
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1 tablespoon
curry powder
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Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste
Directions
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Shape 5 1/4 cups flour into a well on your work surface. Add the eggs and a pinch of salt to the center of the well. With a fork, gently beat to break up the eggs. Begin pulling in flour from the sides of the well until you have a crumbly dough. Knead the dough until it is smooth and compact. Roll out into a very thin sheet and cut into large rectangular noodles. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it rises to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon or skimmer and drain, then blot dry.
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Soak the raisins in warm water to soften, then drain. Blanch the spinach in lightly salted water, then drain and squeeze dry. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small pot and sauté the spinach, raisins, and pine nuts. Mince the spinach mixture and set aside. Thinly slice the fontina cheese.
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Prepare the béchamel: combine the remaining 3/4 cup flour with 1 1/2 cups of the milk and whisk until there are no lumps. (You can use the mini-chop attachment of an immersion blender to do this quickly and easily.) In a small pot, melt the remaining 7 tablespoons butter. Add the curry powder and a pinch of salt. Whisk in the milk and flour mixture, then add the remaining 2 1/2 cups milk in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Whisk over medium heat until thickened.
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Preheat oven to 400˚ F. Spread about ¼ cup of the béchamel on the bottom of a baking pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spread some of the spinach mixture on top. Spread on a little more of the béchamel and arrange a few slices of fontina cheese on top. Continue making layers in this order until you have used all of the ingredients, ending with a layer of béchamel (you'll likely have some leftover noodles). Sprinkle the grated Parmigiano on top. Bake in the preheated oven until browned and crisp on top, about 20 minutes. Let the lasagna settle for a few minutes before serving.
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