Winter Greens Lasagne



Wilting the greens with cream and layering them with ricotta and Parmesan makes this a satisfying lasagne that’s both easy (no sauce to prepare) and vegetarian. Even those who don’t usually get excited by cooking greens enjoy the earthy flavors they provide here.
What to buy: Crème fraîche is a naturally thickened fresh cream with a tangy flavor and a rich texture, and it doesn’t curdle or separate when heated. If you can’t find it, sour cream is a decent substitute.



TIME/SERVINGS

Total: 1 hr 35 mins

Active: 30 mins

Makes: 10 to 12 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium white onion, medium dice
3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups heavy cream
1 pound red kale, washed, tough stems removed, and coarsely chopped about 10 cups
1 pound Swiss chard, washed, tough stems removed, and coarsely chopped about 8 cups
"1 1/2 cups crème fraîche"
1 9-ounce box no-boil lasagna noodles
1 pound fresh ricotta
2 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese about 5 ounces

INSTRUCTIONS
1.  Heat the oven to 400ºF and arrange a rack in the middle. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over
medium heat. When it shimmers, add the onion and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black
pepper, and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

2.  Add the cream and a few handfuls of greens and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly wilted.
Continue adding greens a little at a time until they all are slightly wilted. Cook, stirring
occasionally, until the greens are tender, completely wilted, and coated in cream, about 10
minutes. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and remove from heat.

3.  Spread 1 cup of the crème fraîche evenly over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Cover with
a layer of 4 noodles, allowing them to overlap slightly. Using a slotted spoon, scoop a third of
the greens mixture from the cream and evenly spread it over the noodles, then cover with a third of
the ricotta and a quarter of the Parmesan. Repeat to make two more layers, and end with a final
layer of noodles on top. Evenly pour 1/4 cup of the warm cream over the noodles. Mix together the
remaining crème fraîche and Parmesan and spread it evenly over top.

4.  Cover the lasagne with foil and bake until bubbling and starting to brown, about 45 minutes. Remove
the foil and bake until the top is browned completely and the sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes
more. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.


Beverage pairing: Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Blanc, Italy. The cream and cheese in
this dish suggest a white wine with both acid and some heft, while the chard and kale beg for
something with earthiness and herbaceousness. Sauvignon Blanc is the answer, especially one from
Friuli in northeastern Italy, where it often has great acid structure and fine apple and lime
flavors, as well as a high-pitched green streak.