7/28/09

Tandoori Lasagna


Yes this is lasagna with a twist, a fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine.

I wanted to make a lasagna, spice it up, give it a "desi" (generally used to refer to Indian) touch, but was skeptical about the outcome. Well, the outcome was wonderful , it was a hit and liked by the ones I made it for. Though I could not take decent , "blog-worthy" pictures , the recipe was too good not to share.

Lasagna is made in stages, then assembled and baked, so the list of ingredients may seem pretty long but it actually is a very quick, easy, no-fuss preparation. Using no boil noodles also cuts on the cooking time and process.

Ingredients:

7-8 no boil lasagna noodles,
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese,
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese,
non stick spray, (optional)

For the meat sauce:

2 - 3 tbsp. oil,
1
medium onion, chopped,
1.5 tbsp ginger paste,
1.5tbsp garlic paste,
1.5 lbs minced meat, (lamb/beef/turkey/chicken),
3 medium tomatoes, ground to paste without using water,
6 tbsp. tandoori chicken masala, (I used 2 different brands, 3 tbsp. of "Shan" and 3 tbsp. of "Badshah"),
2 tbsp. tomato ketchup,
salt, to taste,
chili powder , to taste (optional)
4 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
3 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped,
juice of a lemon/ lime




For the ricotta mix:

1 15oz. container of ricotta cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten,
few mint leaves, chopped,
few coriander leaves, chopped ,
3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese,
salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

Cook the meat sauce, make the ricotta mix, assemble the noodles and bake.



To cook the meat sauce:

Heat oil , add onions and fry till translucent. Add the ginger , garlic pastes and fry for a min. Then add the minced meat and cook till its no longer pink. Add the tandoori masala, chili powder if you want it more spicy, salt , coriander and mint leaves and fry for some time. Now add tomato paste and ketchup and cook on low /med. heat until the meat is cooked. Add lemon juice and mix.

To make the ricotta mix:

Beat together all the ingredients .

To assemble and bake :

Preheat oven to 350 deg. F

Spray a 8"X 11" glass baking dish with non stick spray. This is totally optional, i like to do it to make sure the food does not stick and the slices come out easily . Pour some meat sauce and arrange the noodles. Pour some more meat sauce, then layer it with ricotta mix, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and repeat the layer one more time starting with the noodles . Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for an hour or follow the baking instructions on the box of noodles. Remove from the oven and let it rest for few mins. before you serve. Enjoy !

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to a week, it does reheat beautifully.

The tandoori chicken masala is a real saver. I suggest even the vegetarians to keep a packet of this in their pantry. It can be used to flavor paneer, roasted vegetables,potato fries, chips, burgers, soups, sauces, curries, parathas, salads, nuts, vegetable biryani, breads/ rotis etc. etc.

This is my contribution to the following events :


Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Amy originally created by Ruth
and
Original recipe created by Lore of Culinarty.

I am also sending this recipe as an entree menu to Yasmeens Health Nut Challenge where she asks us to prepare a heathy three course meal . My appetizer would be the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and for dessert its Healthy Choco Logs.

15 comments:

Yasmeen said...

Tandoori meat sauce is a tasty twist,looks very filling with ricotta:D

Pooja said...

The tandoori lasagna looks so delicious! I love pasta/lasagna spiced up with Indian spices..gives a lot of flavour and taste!

Rahin said...

Thanks Yasmeen n Pooja

Ruth Daniels said...

What a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. I can't wait to give it a try.

Chef Jeena said...

I love your lasagna Rahin what a great twist. I think Indian flavours go really great with pasta dishes so I just know this tasted wonderful. Pictures look really appetizing and delicious yum. :-)

Rahin said...

Hey Ruth thanks for stopping by, hope you like it ...

Thanks Jeena, I tried fusing Indian with Italian for the first time n I agree they really go well together

Joanne said...

I love the fusion dish you have created! Such a testament to the versatility of pasta.

Rahin said...

I agree Joanne, pasta is a very versatile ingredient, i always cook it the traditional way , this time thought of putting my own spin on it

Faiza Ali said...

wow Tandoori lasagna is a very good idea..must have tasted yummy.First time on ur blog dear, u have got good recipes :)

Rahin said...

Thanks Faiza and Welcome to Lazzat...

Lakshmi said...

I have a pack of lasagne..I must try this recipe, looks interesting

Rahin said...

I am sure you will like it LG , Let me know

Lore said...

Brilliant, love the fusion idea. This is one bold lasagna!
Thanks for sharing it with the Original Recipes Round-Up :)

Rahin said...

Thanks for hosting this event Lore, glad to be a part

mallugirl said...

i like the idea of spicing up the meat. the lasagna itself is otherwise too cheesy and not spicy enough to counter the cheese.