Friday, April 10, 2009

Lasagna Aperta (Open Lasagna with Roasted Tomatoes, King Oyster Mushrooms and Almond Brown Butter)



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We had some pasta in the fridge that had to be used up, and soon. I don't know why, but JS made 3 batches of fresh pasta dough all at once!

This is another case of trying to use up things found in the refrigerator before they turn bad!

In this case, we had oven-roasted tomatoes and king oyster mushrooms, and almonds leftover from our Almond Eggplant "Bisteeya" and Almond Milk.

Pasta with Basil Leaves


[ts]
This was an eggy pasta dough: 6 eggs (instead of 4 eggs) with 4 cups of flour and a tiny bit of olive oil. I just happened to grab this dough from the refrigerator first.

I rolled it out and placed basil leaves between layers. I cut them into rectangles. They went into a quick salted-water bath.

King Oyster Mushrooms & Roasted Tomatoes


[ts]
I did a quick sauté with the king oyster mushrooms, with the usual suspects (olive oil, garlic, thyme, a splash of lemon juice). The roasted tomatoes I found had been roasted in the oven with olive oil, as seen in our sockeye salmon meal. (I'm even using the same picture!)



These two components were set aside until plating.

Almond Brown Butter


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I started melting butter in a pan and added roast almonds. I waited until the butter was a nice brown and then added my cooked pasta sheets.



Plating


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Pasta Sheet + King Oyster Mushroom + Roasted Tomatoes... then repeat and repeat until desired quantity is reached. I topped the whole thing off with the remaining almond brown butter and strewed some torn basil leaves about.



[ts]
This hit the spot. Anything with brown butter will do so! The meaty mushrooms and the tangy-sweet roasted tomatoes complemented each other beautifully. The pasta sheets had a nice al dente texture, as well as little herbaceous bursts from the basil leaves within. The roast almonds provided crunch. What's not to like?

So, if you ever go face to face with some pasta dough and want something really easy and fast, try rolling them out into sheets and do a no-fuss open lasagna!

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We're submitting this to Presto Pasta Nights (created by Ruth of Once Upon a Feast). This edition is hosted by Katie of One Little Corner of the World. [Presto Pasta Nights info]

Recipe

Lasagna Aperta
(Open Lasagna with Roasted Tomatoes, King Oyster Mushrooms and Almond Brown Butter)

This isn't really a recipe, per se. One can substitute the tomatoes and king oyster mushrooms for different vegetables altogether. One can omit the almonds as well, or use plain pasta sheets. One can also make as much or as little of each component as one desires.


Pasta Dough
your favorite recipe, or
4 cups flour
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Combine ingredients in the food processor and process until a dough forms. Turn dough out and knead for an additional 10 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.

Roll out dough and cut into rectangles.

Roasted Tomatoes
tomatoes
olive oil

Preheat oven to 350F. Slice tomatoes and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Roast for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your preferred doneness.

Sautéed King Oyster Mushrooms
king oyster mushrooms
olive oil
garlic
thyme (optional)
lemon juice

Slice mushrooms. In a pan, heat olive oil. Add a whole garlic clove into the cold oil until it starts ot brown. Discard garlic. Add sliced mushrooms and thyme leaves. Cook until mushrooms have softened. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Almond Brown Butter
butter
ground almonds

Heat a pan over medium and add butter. When hot, add the ground almonds. Watch pan and heat until butter is golden brown.

Lasagna Aperta
Bring a pot of water to boil, then add a generous amount of salt. Cook pasta sheets (approximately 2 minutes) and add to the pan with brown butter. Toss to coat.

In individual plates or a large platter, layer pasta sheets, sautéed mushrooms and roasted tomatoes. Top with any remaining almond brown butter. Tear a few basil leaves on each plate/the platter, if desired. Serve.

17 comments:

  1. Yum. Love brown butter. And this pasta recipe may just be easy enough to get me over my phobia of making pasta by hand! Thanks!

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  2. Yay! Let's hear it for not wasting food! And expertly done, I might add. This looks really fantastic!

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  3. I love the basil leaves in the pasta, and the rustic look of it all piled up there. I think this is my favorite.

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  4. Absolutely glorious! I've made pasta with basil in it before too. Jamie Oliver called it "stained glass" pasta and I thought it a perfect name.

    Thanks for sharing this combo with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  5. Pasta with basil leaves is a great idea. ...mmm...roasted tomatoes...so good!

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  6. croquecamille:
    We look forward to seeing handmade pasta on your blog! =)

    Julia:
    Pam:
    Thanks! =)

    Ruth:
    We should've stolen that name!

    Kevin:
    Thanks!

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  7. Your pasta sheets look so pretty, and I love the idea of an open lasagna - so fresh and tasty for spring. Brown butter and pasta are such a natural pairing.
    Nancy

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  8. Beautiful pasta dish!!! Thanks for sharing with PPN. I had fun hosting!

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  9. n.o.e:
    Thanks Nancy! =)

    The Food Hunter:
    Thanks. (I just read your post about getting a reservation at Babbo!)

    Katie's blog:
    We had a blast entering!

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  10. Just to let you know - I'm coming over to dinner ;)

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  11. Love the king oyster mushroom!

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  12. Marija:
    As long as we can come over to your house for dinner too! =D

    Indonesia-Eats:
    They're so "meaty" with their huge stems.

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  13. I am so making this! Beautiful recipe - I'm so happy I found it.

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  14. allisonlemons:
    Thanks for visiting! Hope you like the dish. =)

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  15. Holy Pasta, that looks so good. I'm throwing a All Girls' Lunch and this would be fabulous for the party.

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