Lasagna

The big project of making lasagna at home finally came to fruition this evening. With just the lasagna sheets brought from Melb, I had to source everything locally in Beijing, specifically from the 4 major supermarkets in our neighbourhood. Found most of the ingredients from Carrefour, but could not find baking dish anywhere. Also missing from these supermarkets is lasagna sheets. Improvised with a baking tray that came with the oven though it was too shallow to fit more than two lasagna sheets.

I follow a recipe from YuanYuan, but recipe on back of lasagna sheet pack is almost identical. I added a bunch of slender celery and 1 carrot, finely chopped, and 5 fresh tomatoes in addition to 700gm of bottled tomato paste. Added a layer of grated tasty cheese in between lasagna sheets (instead of into white sauce). Topped with shaved Parmassan cheese. Very nice.

Caohui and son Dudu came by and lasagna became their dinner too. We were all totally, pleasantly surprised:(1) Caohui was not due to visit us until the next evening, but apparently there was a cross-wire between Grace and Caohui; (2) Didnt expect Dudu to love the lasagna so much. He couldnt wait for any cutlery and could care for any table manners---he ate directly from the plate. No fork, no spoon! Grace and Dudu had second helpings.

Serve 8 - 10
Cost RMb60
Lasagna sheets Y 8
Fresh Tomato Y 5
Tomato Paste (Italy) Y15
Onion, Celery, carrot
nutmeg, dried parsley,
oregano Y 4
Minced Beef Y16
Cheeses Y12

Photos show -meat sauce, -cheese sauce, -before oven, -mixer/helper, -happy customer