Margaret Hirsch loves artichokes, and with her in mind; this enchanting and delicious artichoke lasagne recipe was devised. This has since become a family favourite, which they prepare for a lazy lunch with the family.
Ingredients
Roasted tomato purée:
- 1 kg red tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 3 large red onions, peeled and sliced
- 45 ml olive oil
- 15 ml sugar
- Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
- 15 ml fresh or 5 ml dried basil
- 300 ml tomato purée
Cheese Sauce:
- 120 g butter or margarine (120 ml)
- 120 g cake flour (180 ml)
- 1 litre milk
- Salt and white pepper, to taste
- 100 g mature Cheddar cheese, grated (250 ml)
- 15 ml prepared mustard
Topping:
- 100 g Cheddar cheese, grated (250 ml)
- 60 g mozzarella cheese, grated (125 ml)
- 50 g fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
Main Dish
- Precooked lasagne sheets
- 2 – 3 x 410 g tins artichoke hearts, drained, cut
- into halves or quarters
Method
1. Roasted tomato purée: Place tomatoes, red onions, olive oil, sugar, salt, pepper and basil, into a
roasting pan. Roast in an oven at 200.C/180.C fan/Gas mark 5 for 25 – 30 minutes; add the tomato puree
2. Place into a food processor fitted with the double-knife stainless-steel blade; or use a plunge blender,
and process or puree together, until mixture is still slightly coarse. Check seasoning.
3. Make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the flour, and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Pour in the milk; whisk well. Keep stirring until sauce thickens. Season to taste. Add in cheese and
mustard, and whisk well to combine.
4. Assemble: Place a thin layer of cheese sauce on the bottom of a lasagne dish; arrange lasagne sheets
on top of sauce, followed by a layer of tomato sauce. Scatter half of the artichoke hearts evenly over the
tomato sauce. Follow this with a layer of cheese sauce.
5. Repeat layers, ending with cheese sauce.
6. Top with a mixture of the Cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
7. Bake at 180.C/160.C fan/Gas mark 4 for 35 – 40 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Garnish with artichoke hearts and serve your Enchanting Artichoke Lasagne dish.
Want more exciting recipes? Check out our His & Hirsch’s Cook Book packed full of delicious dishes just for you!