I'm not convinced that Italians would put tofu in their lasagna and therefore cannot vouch for the authenticity of the Italian-ness of this recipe. I can vouch for it's deliciousity and at the very least will claim it to be some sort of Italian-Asian fusion and therefore close enough to post as Italian.
The inspiration for the recipe came out of a cookbook on my mother's shelf many many years ago. I do not remember the name of it and have made so many adaptions over the years that I think by now it is pretty much my own ...
Here's how I make it ...
1 (big) jar of Pasta Sauce - I like Bertolli Five Brothers Oven Roasted Garlic and Onion !!
8 ounces lasagna noodles
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach ... thawed and drained
Mix the following to make the tofu/cheese mixture.
1 cup tofu
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Mozzarella cheese, grated - to put on top
Makes 8 servings.
8 ounces lasagna noodles
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach ... thawed and drained
Mix the following to make the tofu/cheese mixture.
1 cup tofu
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Mozzarella cheese, grated - to put on top
Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Assemble ingredients in a 9x13 baking dish in the following order. Small amount of pasta sauce, noodles, 1/3 of the spinach, 1/3 of the tofu/cheese mixture, pasta sauce. Repeat. And repeat again ! Finish with sauce and then top with moz cheese. Bake for about 40 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
2 comments:
As for authenticity, I would quote Thomas Sowell, in his wonderful book, Ethnic America, which should be required reading in all so-called Social Studies classes (they don't teach history any more):
http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-America-History-Thomas-Sowell/dp/0465020755
Many ethnic trademarks originated on American soil. Sowell says "Chow mein, the St. Patrick's Day parade, and the Afro hairdo all originated on American soil. The first president of Ireland was born in Brooklyn. The first prime minister of Israel, Golda Meir, was born in Milwaukee. Liberia was for more than a century ruled by the descendents of freed American slaves."
Whether or not any Italian dishes actually originated outside Italy, they have certainly been refined in other countries. Furthermore, I would bet that, international communication and interaction being what they are, Italians have adapted tofu into some of their favorite dishes.
Bottom line. This looks yummy, and it is certainly in the best traditions of fine Italian cooking (and since you lived there part of your life, it can be called Italian cooking by virtue of that fact alone!).
Loved this comment Dad !
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