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Carmella
02-26-2007, 08:40 PM
I just made Russell's Lasagne again today but with a few slight variations.

Here is the recipe again, in case you haven't had the chance to visit his blog (http://therawchef.blogs.com/russell_james/2007/01/lasagne_recipe.html) yet.

Lasagne
By Russell James

Serves 9 large portions. Can be made in a 33 x 27cm -(or similar size) lasagne dish, or made as individual portions on the plate.

Nut Cheese
2c macadamias
1c pine nuts
2 T lemon juice
2 T nutritional yeast
2 yellow peppers
2T fresh parsley
1T fresh thyme
2t salt ½c water as needed

Process all ingredients together adding as little of the water as possible until a fluffy consistency is achieved.

Walnut Meat Layer
1 ½c walnuts soaked 1 hour or more
1c sun-dried tomatoes, soaked for 1 hour or more
2T dark/brown miso
2t dried oregano
2t dried sage
5T nama shoyu
½t cayenne pepper
2T olive oil
1T agave nectar
1t sea salt

Grind all ingredients in a food processor, leaving the mixture slightly chunky.

Tomato sauce
1 ½c sun dried tomatoes
2 soft dates
2 cloves garlic
2c tomato, seeded and chopped
1 ½T dried oregano
2t salt (depending on how salty your s/d toms are)
1/3c olive oil
2T lemon juice

Process in a food processor until smooth.

Green pesto
2 c tightly packed basil leaves
¾c pine nuts or walnuts
½c olive oil
1t salt
1 clove garlic
1T lemon juice

Process all ingredients, leaving plenty of chunkiness!

Spinach Layer
6c torn spinach
5T dried oregano
3T olive oil
2t sea salt

Place all ingredients in a bowl to marinade and wilt for 1 hour or longer, putting the covered bowl in a dehydrator will help this process but it’s not essential.

For the assembly
5 medium courgettes (zucchini), cut lengthwise and marinated in 2T of salt and 3T olive oil for 10 minutes.
Pinch black pepper

Assembly method:
Line the base of your dish with a layer of the courgette strips that slightly overlap.

On top of this put down a layer of the walnut meat, then the cheese, then tomato sauce and finally the pesto on top. Finish this with another layer of slightly overlapping courgette strips.

Repeat step 2 but before adding the final layer of courgette, take your wilted spinach and create an additional layer with that.

Placing the whole dish in the fridge for several hours will firm it all up slightly which will make it easier to cut into portions.

Garnish individual portions with black pepper and a sprig of basil.

OK, now for my mods...

First of all, I halved the recipe as it is really quite big.

I also cut down on the salt as last time I made it, we found it a little too salty for our taste.

It occurred to me that his Nut Cheese was very similar to the Rich Cheddar Sauce, so I used that instead.
Recognize it?

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w281/Carmella_Soleil/Raw%20Main/RJsLasagnaCheeseW.jpg

I also used whatever pesto I had handy (which happened to be dill pesto).

To assemble, I put a layer of zucchini, then walnut meat, followed by Cheddar Sauce. Then more zucchini, a layer of pesto, topped with tomato sauce.

I repeat this sequence, only after the pesto, I put the spinach layer, followed by more zucchini. I finish the lasagne with a layer of tomato sauce. I find that the presentation is nicer that way, plus, it gives me the option of putting the lasagna in the dehydrator for a few hours to warm up (which isn't really possible with a final zucchini layer as in the original recipe.

Here is the assembled lasagna before going into the D:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w281/Carmella_Soleil/Raw%20Main/RJsLasagnaBefDW.jpg

... and after a couple of hours at 105:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w281/Carmella_Soleil/Raw%20Main/RJsLasagnaAftDW.jpg

Soooooooo yum!

moonstone523
02-26-2007, 09:12 PM
Can you put that whole glass baking dish in the dehydrator???

I though stuff that was dehydrated had to be on trays.

Looks yummy. Could you eat it with out dehydrating?

Carmella
02-26-2007, 09:20 PM
Hey moonstone,

The Excaliburs have removable trays so you can fit pretty much anything in there.

And the original recipe doesn't call for dehydration at all (like most lasagna recipes). It's just that we like it to be slightly warm...

Ama
02-26-2007, 09:38 PM
Carmella... you've done it again! That looks amazing!!! Wish I lived next door...

carolg
02-26-2007, 10:00 PM
Don't tell Carmella that I am going to be her new neighbor and when she posts another gem, I'll be right there at the door. Kidding, but just was thinking about Russell and he forgot to post for Feb. He's behind schedule. May have to drop him a note. Carmella, really we need his cannoli he posted or he has to remove that teaser. He said it is someone else's well, then he has to do his own to share. Thanks for the Carmella version. I really love the pictures especially when it is a more complex recipe.
carolg

misslinda
02-26-2007, 10:07 PM
You are quite talented Carmella. If only you had your own restaurant!!!:)

Snownoir
02-26-2007, 10:42 PM
Glad that recipe came out well for you. I think I'll try that this weekend since it requires a lil planning. Thanks for sharing.

Eilene
02-27-2007, 07:06 AM
Oh...Carmella...I want a slice NOW!

Carmella
02-27-2007, 12:45 PM
Alright y'all!

Next time I'll make sure to do the whole recipe and you can all have a piece!:D

Apasaraw
03-04-2007, 05:23 PM
Carmella thanks for the inspiration! I made this recipe with only a blender, knife and my veggie peeler for the zuc pasta and it is stupendous. The cheesy sauce is sure convincing...I was literally licking the bowl! (I even skipped the nut. yeast) It's in the fridge now setting up and I am going to have lasagne for lunch everyday this week.:) I will be using the cheese mixture in the future with tons of garlic for "fettucine". I have never made a raw recipe this involved...and it only took 20 minutes from start to assembly. Just lotsa bowls...
My only warning is to skip the salt in the spinach if anyone is salt sensitive...no need with the other layers.

Side note: Where I was holding the zucchini as I used the peeler to make strips is very very soft...I didn't realize the bennies of slippery squash juice until today. ;)

Carmella
03-04-2007, 05:50 PM
Hey Apasaraw, (btw, what does your username mean? It just feels like it might have an interesting story...)

Yay for lasagna!

Did you make it with Russell's cheese or the Rich Cheddar Sauce?

Yeah, I thought the salt in the spinach layer was too much as well...

WannaBraw
03-04-2007, 08:28 PM
Carmella,

Your Lasagne looks so delicious. I can't wait to try it.
Thanks for the recipe. I could get my mom to eat it with me. She loves trying my raw experiments! ;)


She loved my raw sweet potato pie tonight.

I love this board. Thanks Alissa, and thank you all.

Carmella
03-05-2007, 01:11 PM
Hey WannaBraw,
You're welcome! Sharing awesome recipes is the best part! LOL

I'm sure you're mom would love it. I made lasagna once for a dinner party with a few non-rawfoodist people who thought raw was about carrot sticks and lettuce and they were amazed! he he

Let us know how yours turns out!

Beckla
03-05-2007, 01:31 PM
Hey there! That's just what I made yesterday. Isn't it fabulous?

Carmella
03-05-2007, 01:55 PM
Absolutely!

Yours looks gorgeous, btw... Great idea to put the spinach on top!

Beckla
03-05-2007, 02:04 PM
Thanks! I'll have to dehydrate some and see how it compares.

Apasaraw
03-05-2007, 08:58 PM
Hey Apasaraw, (btw, what does your username mean? It just feels like it might have an interesting story...)

Yay for lasagna!

Did you make it with Russell's cheese or the Rich Cheddar Sauce?

Yeah, I thought the salt in the spinach layer was too much as well...


I used Russell's cheese...I am still amazed how cheezy it tastes!
My real name is Apasara (Uh-PAH-Suh-Rah) and I just put a "w" on the end for an ID because my husband occasionally yells "ApasarRAW!" when he sees me eating. He's silly.:rolleyes:

Carmella
03-05-2007, 09:17 PM
Ahhhhhhh! Thanks for enlightening me! How beautiful!

And good to know about Russell's cheese. I'll make sure to use it next time.

star1919
03-06-2007, 07:03 AM
Apasaraw... you have me giggling about your husband calling your name... you are so funny!

Carmella... Thanks for all you bring to raw cooking! You have inspired me so much... and I am uncooking more because of your wonderful recipes, pictures. You are such a warm, giving person. I love your site... and the new recipe index too. THANK YOU! :D

Carmella
03-06-2007, 03:20 PM
star,

Oh wow! Thank you... You're making my heart sing!:)

Apasaraw
03-06-2007, 09:02 PM
I second that star1919! (Your posts are always so sweet btw.)

A magazine writer AND and organizer of information...we love you Carmella!
Can't wait for the cheesecake.:)

*star1919 and apasaraw smiling and awaiting with gleeeeee!*

carolg
03-06-2007, 09:19 PM
I'm waiting for the cheesecake too, but I can't wait for the cannoli...yes, the one that Russell teased us with. Any connections from anyone to Russell????????????

I want that special cannoli from Russell he won't share as he said it is not his. I respect that but then again, why can't he get one that is his he can share?
carolg

Apasaraw
03-06-2007, 09:38 PM
http://www.imaginecreativity.com/rawfood/weekly-emails.html

There's one here....may not be similar...Scroll to Thanksgiving 2006....

Carmella
03-07-2007, 01:13 PM
Apasaraw,

Thanks again for your kind and sweet comment! *Hug Hug*

We had some cheesecake last night, well, you know, gotta know what I'm talking about... (Ahhhhhh! Tough life! LOL)

Carolg,
Do I detect a slight cannoli obsession by any chance? he he

Carmella
04-14-2007, 04:44 PM
Bumping this up for Erica...

Actually, come to think of it, it's so yum I'm gonna be making it again in the next few days. (Yay!)

carolg
04-14-2007, 09:20 PM
Carmella,
What's happening in the kitchen? I'm in between two root canal experiences, two abcesses there, other teeth problem so I can appreciate some of your inspirations. Tell Don if I was closer I would be right over, but not around the corner sadly. I love your posts. So much fun to read even if not making at the moment.

carolg

SchoolOfRAWk
04-14-2007, 09:25 PM
Thank you!!!!

Carmella
04-14-2007, 10:04 PM
Hey carolg,

Ouch! Hope you get better soon...

Tonite we had a fantastic Indian Feast: samosas, rice, curry sauce and curried broccoli.

Oh my! Don couldn't get over how wonderful everything was!

Oh, and I also came up with a delicious soup too. Mmmmmmmm...

Pics coming up soon...

eatyourbroccoli
04-14-2007, 10:14 PM
You are quite talented Carmella. If only you had your own restaurant!!!:)

yes! move to boulder, colorado and open a restaurant. :D

spicyfull
04-15-2007, 01:07 AM
That's a LOT of Work but it LOOKS Great and you take the PRIZE.........

Carmella
04-15-2007, 12:36 PM
yes! move to boulder, colorado and open a restaurant. :D

Colorado? Huh, I thought you were in Ontario somewhere... ;)

Davylp25
04-16-2007, 05:18 AM
Hey...

Looks good, was wondering, what size dish was used? I have none, and really wanna try lasagna. What size?

Also, everytime I see zucchini which is used in this, their so smallll...... Do you use alot?

Carmella
04-16-2007, 03:12 PM
Hey Davyl,

The dish was roughly 6 " by 12 " , but as you can see on the pics, I only filled part of it. Yeah, getting good-sized zucchinis for noodles can be difficult. I find that I usually use way less zucchnis than called for in recipes. It just goes to show how it all depends on sizes. I used about 1 med. zucch or so for the above lasagna.