Easy cheese lasagna recipe, an adapted version of the classic Cannelloni au Brocciu with ricotta and fresh mint, which makes the taste of Corsica travel to your kitchen.
ovenproof dish large enough to hold the lasagna sheets
Ingredients
500g (18oz)Swiss Chard (or spinach, fresh/frozen)16 cups of fresh leaves or 2 cups if cooked
500g (18oz/ 2 cups)Ricotta cheese or brocciu cheese
2eggsorganic
2tablespoonfresh mint leaveschopped
goodpinchsalt, pepperto taste
pinchfreshly grated nutmeg
1tablespoonolive oil
3garlic clovesfinely chopped
4-5organic tomatoes (or a tin of good quality chopped tomatoes)peeled and chopped
1mediumonion
1tablespoontomato purée (concentrate)
1sprigfresh thyme
110-sheet packfresh lasagna sheets (no pre-cook, bake only)or dried cannelloni tubes (add 20 mins to baking)
30g (2 tbsp)Parmesan cheesefreshly grated from a block (optional)
Instructions
Cut the leaves from the swiss chard, if using, and cook in salted boiling water for 5 minutes (same for fresh spinach. If using frozen, follow packet instructions). Drain well, leave to cool then chop finely.
Make the tomato sauce: gently fry the onion in olive oil and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. As soon as translucent, add the garlic, tomatoes, purée and thyme. Boil quickly then reduce the heat and simmer (uncovered), for about 10 minutes. Remove the thyme stalk.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. In a large bowl, mash the cheese with a fork and gradually mix in the cooled chopped swiss chard/spinach leaves, eggs, mint, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Lightly oil an oven dish large enough to fit the lasagna sheets.
Spoon on a thin layer of tomato sauce, cover with a lasagne sheet, then top with a layer of the cheese and mint mixture. Continue each layer of lasagna and cheese mixture until the last lasagna sheet. Top the last layer with the rest of the tomato sauce.
Finish off with some grated parmesan, if using, and bake for about 20-25 minutes.If using dried cannelloni tubes, add another 20 minutes to baking time.
Notes
Wine Suggestions with Corsican Cheese LasagnaIdeal served with chilled rosé or red wines. Enjoy with a Corsican wine such as a Nielluccio, which is a typical grape variety for rosé and red wines from Patrimonio (north of Corsica). Known as Sangiovese in Italy, choose a Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, or Montepulciano which is easier to find.
Keyword Cannelloni au Brocciu, Corsican Cheese Lasagne