Cuban Lasagna Recipes

CUBAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook about 5 minutes or until slightly softened. Stir in oregano, cumin and coriander. Cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel plantains; cut each lengthwise into thin strips. In heavy skillet, heat about 1/4 inch oil Fry plantain strips until golden brown on each side. Remove from skillet to paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
• Once beef mixture has simmered and thickened, stir in olives and cilantro. Remove from heat.
• To prepare lasagna, arrange one-third of plantains in even layer in bottom of baking dish. Top with half of beef mixture. Sprinkle one-third of cheese over beef. Arrange second one-third of plantains over cheese, followed by remaining beef mixture. Top with another one-third of cheese. Arrange last one-third of plantains on top. Sprinkle with half of remaining cheese.
• In small bowl, beat eggs and milk with whisk. Pour over top of layered ingredients in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
• Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Cool 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

PUERTO RICAN-STYLE CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute onion, bell peppers, shallots, sweet peppers, and scallions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer until flavors combine, about 1 hour. Add tomato paste to thicken the sauce, if necessary.
• Meanwhile, place chicken in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the thigh bone reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and let cool until easily handled.
• Fill a blender halfway with sauce. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Pour into a pot. Repeat with remaining sauce. Cover to keep warm.
• Pull chicken meat off the bones. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and saute garlic until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the boiled chicken and shred it with 2 forks. Moisten the mixture with chicken broth. Add sazon seasoning and olives; mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a layer of lasagna noodles. Cover with some sauce, followed by some chicken, then a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining noodles, sauce, chicken, and cheese. Cover the final layer of mozzarella with Cheddar cheese for extra color. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake lasagna in the preheated oven until heated through and cheese is melted, about 25 minutes.