Indo-style Lasagne

Ingredients

In the Indo-style Lasagne, we incorporate traditional Indo spices and flavors to give it a unique twist. The original Italian lasagne typically uses beef or pork as the meat filling, while the Indo version can include chicken, lamb, or even paneer (Indian cottage cheese). The tomato sauce is also spiced up with a combination of Indo spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, adding a delicious kick to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Lasagne, so you can check it out.

• 9 lasagne sheets 9 lasagne sheets
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground chicken 500g (1.1 lb) ground chicken
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste) 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100g) grated mozzarella cheese 1 cup (100g) grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil Cooking oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 20g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (8g sugars)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cook the lasagne sheets according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for another minute.
5. 5.
   Add the ground chicken to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
6. 6.
   Stir in the cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and chili powder. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
7. 7.
   Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
8. 8.
   In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
9. 9.
   Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
10. 10.
    Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in half of the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted.
11. 11.
    Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place a layer of lasagne sheets on top.
12. 12.
    Spread a layer of the chicken mixture over the lasagne sheets. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of lasagne sheets on top.
13. 13.
    Pour the cheese sauce over the lasagne and sprinkle the remaining grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
14. 14.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
15. 15.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
16. 16.
    Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lasagne sheets — Cook the lasagne sheets until al dente to ensure they hold their shape and texture in the final dish.
• Ground chicken — Make sure to cook the ground chicken thoroughly to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
• Indo spices — Adjust the amount of chili powder according to your spice preference. You can also add other Indo spices like garam masala for additional flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the tomato sauce and cheese sauce in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.
• Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or peas to the chicken mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
• For a spicier version, you can add chopped green chilies or red chili flakes to the chicken mixture.
• Let the lasagne rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the layers to set and make it easier to serve.
• Serve the Indo-style Lasagne with a side of raita (yogurt sauce) and a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Indo-style Lasagne hot, straight from the oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color and added freshness. Accompany it with a side of raita (yogurt sauce) and a fresh salad to balance the flavors.

Presentation advice

To make the Indo-style Lasagne visually appealing, cut it into individual portions and serve them on plates. Drizzle some extra tomato sauce on top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro for an elegant touch.