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Mrs. Cuillo
Sous Chef
Great idea! Thanks Amy!!
Soupy Lasagna
- Thread starter Mrs. Cuillo
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Essiebunny
Senior Cook
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2006
- Messages
- 473
Someone may have already suggested this, but it is important to drain the ricotta, well. I put it into a cheesecloth lined sieve, in the refrigerator, usually overnight.
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
Essiebunny said:
I wonder if it would work to wrap the ricotta in cheese cloth and spin it in the salad spinner? That way, you wouldn't have to remember the night before to start it draining.
BreezyCooking
Washing Up
I have to admit that I was always a fan of regular lasagne noodles. But after using the Barilla brand "no-cook" noodles, I've had a hard time going back unless I'm making a specialty lasagne that doesn't call for a lot of sauce.
This pasta has consistenly produced fabulous lasgane - always firm, but tender, never soggy.
Although I do definitely agree with everyone who's said that you do have to allow baked pasta dishes - especially lasagne - to "rest" awhile after baking. Twenty minutes at the very very least. Just like when you allow a roast turkey or beef to rest before carving, many/most of the "juices" need time to soak/redistribute into the meat/dish.
This pasta has consistenly produced fabulous lasgane - always firm, but tender, never soggy.
Although I do definitely agree with everyone who's said that you do have to allow baked pasta dishes - especially lasagne - to "rest" awhile after baking. Twenty minutes at the very very least. Just like when you allow a roast turkey or beef to rest before carving, many/most of the "juices" need time to soak/redistribute into the meat/dish.
VeraBlue
Executive Chef
In my family, we always add raw eggs to the ricotta cheese @ 1 egg per pound of cheese. Ricotta cheese is very watery and tends to weep when it's heated. Adding the raw egg helps to bind it. The only other suggestion is to be certain you've drained all the fat from the beef, before you add it to the pan.
VeraBlue
Executive Chef
Andy M. said:
If you don't want to wait overnight....you could put the cheese into a clean, new stocking...and wring it out, pressing as firmly as possible to get out all the moisture. I've never done the straining step for lasagna, only for canolis.
Mrs. C., here's my Italian family's lasagna recipe. The sauce is nice and thick and the ricotta mixture contains eggs, which several members have mentioned. It's delicious and cuts out of the pan like cake. There's never any left when I make a pan of it.
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Mrs. Cuillo
Sous Chef
Thank you all for your help. I will try it again soon!
Thanks for the recipe Katie...sounds delicious!!!
Thanks for the recipe Katie...sounds delicious!!!
apple
Assistant Cook
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 19
such an oldpost but i'll try,
i always only cook my noodles like 2/3 done so that when i cook in over later they finish cookin with some of the moisture with the sauce and then let it sit before cutting, never soupy
and then the noodles arent mushy either
i always only cook my noodles like 2/3 done so that when i cook in over later they finish cookin with some of the moisture with the sauce and then let it sit before cutting, never soupy
and then the noodles arent mushy eitherAMSeccia
Sous Chef
I never boil the noodles, I let them absorb the moisture from my sauce. You were using jarred sauce, so its consistency should have been just fine. You might also try mixing in an egg or two and a cup of mozz with the ricotta and layer in order ... sauce on bottom, lasagna sheets (I like Barilla), ricotta mixture, more mozz, sauce and layer on up, finishing with sauce and cheese. Be sure to bake long enough, at least one hour, and allow to rest. I worked at an Italian restaurant in college (UP Michigan) and each lasagna dish was served in its own Corning casserole baker ... a huge square smothered in sauce and cheese and baked until melted and swimming. Okay, that doesn't sound as appetizing as it was, but it's pure heaven. Maybe that's the memory of a starving college student?
buckytom
Chef Extraordinaire
vb, with your advice i tried this and it was a disaster.
the fishnet stockings did nothing to help remove any moisture at all...
LadyCook61
Master Chef
VeraBlue
Executive Chef
Dave Hutchins
Head Chef
I would add a small can of tomato paste to your Jared sauce. use a instant read thermometer it should read 180* or slightly more. And let it rest
expatgirl
Master Chef
Hear, Hear!!!!!I think you need to schedule an appointment,.....
GrantsKat
Executive Chef
DramaQueen
Head Chef
To the original poster: Your first responder, ANDYM gave you the perfect solution. You've probably done everything right and if you like your recipe, stick to it. Lasagna has to "set" and 30 minutes is the right amount of time. You will then be able to cut it easily into solid servings. No need to go through the gyrations of changing your recipe or drying noodles.
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