Pinoy Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 box Lasagna pasta, cooked per box instruction

Bolognes or Meat Sauce

1 1/2 pound Ground Beef
1 1/2 pound Ground Pork
1 cup equivalent chopped Carrots
1 cup equivalent chopped Celery
1 small can Tomato Sauce
1 small can Tomato Paste
2 pieces bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried Basil Leaves
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 1/2 cup water
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 large Onion, chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cooking Oil for Sauteing

Bechamek or White sauce

2 cans Evaporated Milk
2 cups Butter
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
2/3 cup All purpose Flour
3 cups water

Topping

1 - 2 cups Parmesan Cheese

Cooking Procedure:

1. To do the bolognese sauce: saute the garlic and onion and add the ground meat and herbs. Cook until the meat are browned.
2. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Let's do the Bechamel sauce : Set the butter on a small deep pan and add the flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium low heat.
5. Add the evaporated milk, water and nutmeg and mix until thick. Add the cheese.
6. To assemble : Spread a little meat sauce (without any meat) at the bottom of the aluminum foil pan.
7. Set a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by spreading sparingly of the bolognese sauce, and top with the white sauce. Sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese.
8. Repeat the same layering process until you reach the top of the pan, or about 3-4 layers.
9. The top layer should be fully covered by the white sauce and parmesan cheese.
10. Bake on a 350 ° F pre-heated oven for 25 - 30 minutes. Serve hot.


Tips:

•Make sure that no pasta is visible on top of the pan or that part will dry off during baking.
•For added flavor and flair, sprinkle shredded mozarella cheese on top together with the parmesan just before baking.
•You could prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze, then thaw and bake on the day you need it.
•No oregano or basil leaves? Replace the tomato sauce with 1 1/2 cup canned Spaghetti Sauce or bottled Ragu Pasta sauce, but the bay leaves are a must-have!
•No nutmeg? Just omit it in the recipe.
•This particular Filipino lasagna recipe yields 2 rectangular pyrex pans. You could do one on a whole pan, and a few small aluminum foil pans for freezing and later consumption.