🍂🍽️ Autumn Lasagna with Chicken Ragù, Pine Nuts, and Raisins 🍂🍗
Autumn Lasagna with Chicken Ragù, Pine Nuts, and Raisins is a delicious and unique twist on traditional lasagna, perfect for the fall season. It combines savory and sweet flavors to create a comforting and hearty dish.
📜 History:
This dish doesn’t have a long historical record, as it’s more of a modern fusion recipe. It likely draws inspiration from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, where the combination of savory and sweet flavors is not uncommon. The use of seasonal ingredients, like raisins and pine nuts, reflects the essence of autumn.
🥘 Components:
- 1 pound of lasagna noodles
- 2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup of tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of pine nuts
- 1/4 cup of raisins
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Boil the Lasagna Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Prepare the Chicken Ragù: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the cooked chicken and cook for a few minutes until it starts to brown. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for a few minutes. Then, stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the ragù simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
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Toast the Pine Nuts: In a separate pan, lightly toast the pine nuts over low heat until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
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Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, start assembling your lasagna. Begin with a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a portion of the chicken ragù, a sprinkle of pine nuts, raisins, and basil. Repeat this layering process until you’ve used all the ingredients, finishing with a layer of noodles on top.
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Bake: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese on the top layer. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
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Serve: Allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving. The combination of savory chicken ragù, sweet raisins, and nutty pine nuts creates a delightful taste of autumn in every bite.
⏲️ Preparation Time:
The total time needed to prepare Autumn Lasagna with Chicken Ragù, Pine Nuts, and Raisins is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, including prep and cooking time. It’s well worth the effort for a unique and delicious autumn meal.
Enjoy your hearty and comforting autumn lasagna! 🍁🍽️🍗🧀🍂
Here are the approximate nutrition facts for a serving of Autumn Lasagna with Chicken Ragù, Pine Nuts, and Raisins. Please note that these values can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes, so consider them as a general guideline:
- Calories: Approximately 400-450 calories per serving.
- Protein: About 20-25 grams per serving from the chicken and cheese.
- Carbohydrates: Around 30-35 grams per serving, primarily from the lasagna noodles and raisins.
- Dietary Fiber: Approximately 2-3 grams per serving.
- Sugars: Around 5-7 grams per serving, mainly from the raisins and a small amount from the tomato sauce.
- Fat: About 20-25 grams per serving, with most coming from the cream, cheese, and olive oil.
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 7-10 grams per serving, mainly from the cheese and cream.
- Cholesterol: About 60-70 milligrams per serving, primarily from the cheese and chicken.
- Sodium: Around 400-500 milligrams per serving, mainly from the cheese and salt.
- Vitamins and Minerals: This dish provides various vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin C, and iron from the ingredients.
Health Information:
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While this dish is flavorful and satisfying, it’s moderately high in calories and fat due to the cream and cheese. It’s best enjoyed in moderation, especially if you’re watching your calorie and fat intake.
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The chicken in this dish provides a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle and tissue repair.
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The raisins and tomatoes in the recipe provide some vitamins and antioxidants. Raisins also contribute natural sweetness.
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The pine nuts contain healthy fats and can be a good source of protein and fiber.
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It’s relatively high in saturated fat due to the cheese and cream. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can consider using reduced-fat cheese or cream.
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The dish also contains carbohydrates from the lasagna noodles, which provide energy.
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Be mindful of portion sizes, as lasagna can be calorie-dense. Enjoying this dish as an occasional treat in a balanced diet is a good approach to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Remember that these nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, so if you have specific dietary requirements or restrictions, it’s a good idea to calculate the exact nutrition facts using the specific brands and amounts of ingredients you use.
