Coco Cooks has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds.

If not, please visit http://www.coco-cooks.com and update your bookmarks and RSS feed.

4.23.2008

Seasonal Lasagna...Golden Beet Chicken Lasagna

My Vegetable Box finally arrived after postponing my order. It was chock full of Golden beets, Red Swiss Chard,regular Swiss Chard,assorted lettuces, garlic, zucchini, spinach, green beans,parsnips, and I'm sure I few other things I am forgetting.Because of the organic nature I have to consume them quickly. I made the mistake of leaving some out on the counter last time and they turned quickly. No pesticides require refrigeration. Anyway I never get to use the beets in time before the greens turn. I wanted yo use them in a recipe. I remember the current Top Chef contestant made a lasagna with rutabagas, So why not Golden Beets? Normally my lasagne's uses red sauce and no Bechamel. I decided to try to make Bechamel and use it with ground chicken., fresh sage, sliced portabellos, garlic,sliced golden beets,beet greens which had been Chiffonade, Farmers Cheese( a low fat alternative to cream cheese, and in place of Ricotta),Gouda, Mozzarella, etc. Certain Someone was impatient to eat and was pleasantly surprised by it. Of Course he had seconds.


Golden Beet Chicken Lasagna

1 package of Lasagna Noodles

1 lb Farmers Cheese

3 Golden Beets with their Greens

2 eggs

4 Cups of Bechamel

3 cups grated Gouda

1 cup low moisture mozzarella

Parmesan / Regianno or both

Fresh Sage

1 pound ground Chicken

1 cup fresh Portabello Mushrooms sliced

Garlic to taste

salt

pepper

nutmeg

olive oil

Boil Lasagna noodles and set aside. I drain mine and soak in water to keep moist and workable.Prepare Bechamel. Wash beets , peel, cut off tops, and slice thinly.Now the choice is yours to precook the beets a bit. I didn't , but they cooked up fine as long as they are cut thinly.Take the greens, and roll. Slice them in a Chiffonade. In a bowl mix the Farmers cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, greens, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Set aside . Brown ground chicken, sage, garlic, and mushrooms. Oil bottom of Lasagna pan. Place first layer of Lasagna . Take half of Farmers Cheese/greens mixture and smooth over. Sprinkle half of chicken/mushroom mixture.Add half of the thinly sliced golden beets. Sprinkle some Gouda and Mozzarella. Pour some bechamel. Repeat with 2nd layer of lasagna ,Farmer's cheese chicken,golden beets, etc. Save some grated cheese and Bechamel for the top. Cover with 3rd layer of lasagna. Pour remaining Bechamel liberally. Add some grated cheese and Parmesan. Cover with Foil . Bake in a Bain Marie at 375 degrees for at least 45 minutes.Take off foil and brown for a additional 15 minutes.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

24 comments:

Proud Italian Cook said...

Courtney, I think you got something going here with that combo you created! It all sounds (and looks) yummy to me!

Nina Timm said...

I love the idea of the golden beets. Sounds delicious.

Pixie said...

Wow, that pasta certainly looks golden and I could see why a 'certain someone' would go back for seconds ;)

I fumbled along the way with my tamales - you'll see what I mean hopefully tomorrow-latest saturday.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Yummy! Your lasagna sure looks delicious! Really original and appetizing!

Cheers,

Rosa

Peter M said...

Courtney, this rocks for creativity and good looks. You also get bonus points for making the Bechamel too...no more droopy lasagna.

G said...

Mouth-watering. Thanks again for your skilful photography. I've not even heard of golden beets. :)

Mary said...

You're so very creative! I love golden beets!

breadchick said...

I've never heard of golden beets but this makes me want to go seek them out and try this. What an original take on a classic dish!

Lisa said...

Looks gorgeous. I made a lasagne, myself, last weekend, after going to the on-farm sale near me. Mine also had bechamel, and spinach, mint, wild leeks, fresh shiitakes, and the farm's homemade goat milk ricotta! I was also in the "what can I do that will use up a lot of this beautiful fresh produce?" mode.

Anonymous said...

I can just taste the creamy goodness of this dish! Great job here, Courtney :)

L Vanel said...

Now is such a good time for all kinds of great things in lasagna. Thank you for the inspiration!

Just a Girl said...

You amaze me, pulling recipes out of your head like that. I would never have thought of putting golden beets in a lasagna. Great idea!

Cakespy said...

Give me a mound of this extreme deliciousness!! Whoa, it looks so good. I love beets too! Even better!!

Emily said...

This is a creative way to use up those beets. It looks delicious. I'm glad Certain Someone liked it.

I've never seen or eaten golden beets before. I need to come up to Chicago.

Unknown said...

Very unique!

Helene said...

Cheese and bechamel, now that's a great way to get my beet hating man to eat them! Looks fantastic!

Toni said...

Courtney, you've been reading my mind, I think. I've been pondering a lasagna recently. Hadn't thought of golden beets, but I LOVE them! Thanks for this idea!

Rosie said...

Coco this rocks girl!! What a great Lasagna dish and it looks so golden and inviting for my fork - yum!!

Rosie x

Tempered Woman said...

Oh how I covet your vegetable box~ I lurve me some swiss chard. Did the beets give the lasagna a rustic flavor or was it a little sweet? I'm curious. I love white chicken lasagnas cause we don't eat beef or pork. And this sounds divine!

Anonymous said...

yet again, courtney, you've done it... put your twist on something and made it sound interesting and delicious. you could even submit this recipe to the livestrong food events that I've seen happening on other blogs. The yellow is bee-u-tee-ful.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This is a very innovative recipe Courtney. Better to use up what you have in crteative ways than see it go to waste..that would be a shame:D

Jen said...

What a beautiful lasagna, Courtney! Also, you might want to blanch and freeze what you can't eat and then have it for later. Our CSA starts soon and I can't WAIT! ;-)

Chef Erik said...

1st time on your blog. Your recipe sounds outstanding! I would love to host a recipe on my next carnival. You have some great books as well :)

Cynthia said...

Just look at that photograph! absolutely drool-worthy!