OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS DELISH! Tricolor Chicken and Spinach Lasagna

[Juicygirl]

I just had to give this one to you guys. Easy to prepare, quick and downright fabulous. I just made it for dinner tonight and it was defnitely a hit. I've added the alterations to it that I made. It's a good lasagna

Calories per serving - 424
Fat content per serving - 7.2

INGREDIENTS:

12 oz of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (I personally used fresh spinach and chopped it finely. Spinach is a very crisp green so with a sharp knife is simple to dice. OR you can simply put it in a food processor without liquifying it.)

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 lb lean, cooked chicken, skinned and diced
4 sheets (I used six) lasagne verde
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (I omitted this only because of my husband's allergy to milk which is required for the white sauce to be explained later)
1 3/4 skim milk (again, I omitted)
4 tbsp Parmesan cheese (I used 6)
about 1/2 cup of Mozzerella cheese (OPTIONAL)
salt and pepper

TOMATO SAUCE:

2 medium fresh tomatoes (seeds and goo removed from inside)
1 14 oz can of tomato sauce (I used about 13 oz of a canned spaghetti sauce for more flavor)
1 medium onion, freshly chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
2/3 cup white wine (cooking wine works, however I used a crisp white wine)
3 tbsp Tomato Paste
1 tsp dried oregano

CHICKEN:

Season your chicken to taste with thyme leaves, rosemary, and I personally used a lemon pepper seasoning to taste. This really adds to the lovely flavor of this dish.

1>> Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. To make the tomato sauce, empty your can of spaghetti sauce (or tomato sauce) into a saucepan. Add in the onion, garlic, white wine, tomato paste and oregano. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until thick. Season well.

2>> As you're cooking your sauce, begin cooking your chicken and seasoning. Be careful not to cook the chicken thoroughly (only until most of the pink is gone) or it will be dry. We want it moist when it comes out of the oven.

3>> Spread a light layer of your tomato mixture on the bottom of the pan and sprinkle layer of spinach over top. ***If you opted to use frozen spinach, make sure it is THOROUGHLY thawed. Drain it and spread it out on absorbant paper towels to make sure that as much water possible has been removed.*** Sprinkle the nutmeg to season.

4>> Arrange a portion (about a third) of the chicken over the spinach, and spoon some tomato sauce mixture over the top. Arrange half of the sheets of lasagne over top. (you may have to break the lasagne into pieces to fit the pan)

5>> Blend the cornstarch (if you opted to use this step) with a little of the milk to make a paste. Pour the remaining milk into a pan and stir in the cornstarch paste. Heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Season with a bit of salt and about 1/2 tsp of pepper.

6>> Repeat the tomato, spinach, chicken and noodle steps once more. Add half of the parmesan cheese to this layer.

7>> Top the dish with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the remainder of the spinach and chicken on top. If you opted to use the Milk/cornstarch mixture now is the time to add it before the cheese(s). Add the remaining parmesan cheese to the chicken on top. I used about a half cup of Mozzerella cheese (low fat) to add a bit of extra and flavor.

8>> bake in the oven covered with aluminum foil for approximately 10 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking for about 15 minutes or until your noodles are tender. (this can be tested by poking your lasagna in the middle with a fork.)

****Hint - this recipe works very well with the "no bake" lasagne noodles! I recommend them. No hassle****

Serve with a salad and VIOLA! dinner is served

I made pretty many alterations to fit my taste. But I usually do that - change a recipe and it turns out delish Most of the time. No one's perfect. This isn't your everyday lasagne as it is tangy, with a bit of a different flavor.

***********USE A SMALLER BAKING DISH FOR THIS MEAL. ABOUT A 6X6 IS IDEAL. You can buy a disposable aluminum one in any grocery store if you don't have one.**************

ENJOY!

J the cooking fool.

[Robyn]

Damn Emeril, chill! Really though sounds scrumptious!

[Juicygirl]

BAM! lol

I can't help it. I found one of my scrapbooks from years of collecting recipes so i have been a cooking fool. I just have to share my new cooking with you guys! Soon you'll all be taking cooking classes to learn how to make more delish things too.