Richmond BC, Canada #richmondartgallerybc
Isolating because of COVID I started learning Spanish online, when I came across this recipe I thought I'd give it a try. I got some push back as my regular lasagna is a family favourite and they were not thrilled with me messing with it, in the end it was a big hit.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
Serves: 8
Vancouver Sun Feb 2020
■ 1 can (14 oz/398 mL) kidney beans, rinsed & drained
■ 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil
■ 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
■ 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped onion
■ 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) diced tomatoes
■ 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) medium salsa
■ 1 can (4 oz/114 mL) diced green chilies, drained
■ 1 pkg. (1 oz/35 g) taco seasoning mix
■ 1 tsp (5 mL) oregano, crumbled
■ 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin
■ 1/4 tsp (1 mL) garlic powder
■ 1 ½ cups (375 mL) Tex-Mex shredded cheese
■ 1 cup (250 mL) creamed cottage cheese
■ 3/4 cup (180 mL) light sour cream
■ 9 oven-ready lasagna noodles
Topping
■ 1 ½ cups (375 mL) Tex-Mex shredded cheese
■ 3/4 cup (180 mL) light sour cream
■ Diced tomatoes
■ Chopped green onions
1. Place beans in a food processor. Process, using an on/off motion, until almost puréed; set aside.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
3. Add beef and onion. Cook, stirring to break up beef, until browned and completely cooked, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
4. Stir in beans and next 7 ingredients (tomatoes through garlic powder). Combine 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) cheese, cottage cheese and 3/4 cup (180 mL) sour cream.
5. Spread 1 cup (250 mL) of beef mixture in a greased 9-by-13inch (23-by-33-cm) baking dish.
6. Place 3 noodles on top. Layer one-third each of cheese mixture and remaining beef mixture over noodles. Repeat layering twice using remaining noodles, cheese mixture and beef mixture.
7. May be prepared to this point and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 20-30 minutes.
8. Bake, covered, at 350 F (175 C) for 1 hour or until bubbly and heated through.
9. To prepare topping, combine 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) cheese and 3/4 cup (180 mL) sour cream.
10. Remove baking dish from oven. Uncover and spread topping over lasagna.
11. Continue baking, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until topping is melted and heated through.
12. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with tomatoes and green onions.
Oven-ready lasagna noodles are sometimes referred to as no-boil or instant lasagna noodles. They do not need to be cooked prior to assembling the lasagna. Tex Mex Shredded Cheese is a blend of mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers.
We diverted somewhat from the recipe by making our own taco seasoning mix (following,) we used ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese, and used regular noodles, cooked, it was a hit.
Taco Seasoning 1tbsp = 1 pkg
1 tbsp chili powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
¼ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
1 ½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
