Ep 10. All About Lasagna
- May 16, 2006
- 20 min
In the tenth episode of Everyday Italian's first season, host Giada De Laurentiis delves into the world of lasagna. As the title suggests, this episode is "All About Lasagna" and Giada shares some of her favorite recipes and techniques for making this classic Italian dish.
The episode begins with Giada visiting The Pasta Factory in Los Angeles to see how fresh lasagna noodles are made. She then returns to her kitchen to show viewers how to make homemade lasagna noodles.
Giada starts by making a classic lasagna with beef and bechamel sauce. She explains each step in detail, from browning the beef to making the bechamel sauce from scratch. She also shares tips on how to layer the lasagna for the best results, as well as how to make ahead and freeze for later.
Next up is a vegetarian lasagna with roasted vegetables. Giada uses a variety of vegetables, including zucchini, eggplant, and red bell peppers, and shows how to roast them for maximum flavor. She then layers them with ricotta and mozzarella cheese for a meat-free but filling lasagna.
Giada also shares her recipe for a seafood lasagna, which includes shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat. She uses a white wine sauce instead of the traditional tomato sauce and adds a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for extra texture.
Finally, Giada puts a twist on traditional lasagna with her mini lasagna cups. She uses wonton wrappers to make individual cups and fills them with a combination of ricotta cheese, ground turkey, and marinara sauce. These mini lasagnas are perfect for parties and entertaining.
Throughout the episode, Giada shares insights into the history of lasagna and the regional differences in how it's made throughout Italy. She also provides helpful hints and tips for making lasagna successfully at home.
Overall, "All About Lasagna" is a great episode for anyone who loves this classic Italian dish or wants to learn more about making it from scratch. Giada's tips and recipes are easy to follow and provide a great starting point for experimenting with different fillings and flavors.