*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                 Polenta Pasticciata - Polenta Lasagne

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Italian                          Grains
               Main dish

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  7       c            Polenta -- see master recipe
                       *** beef, tomato, and red wi
    1/3   oz           Dried porcini or other wild
  3       T            Olive oil
  3       T            Butter
  1                    Med onion, minced
  3       T            Minced italian parsley
  1                    Large carrot, minced
  1                    Large celery stalk, minced
  1       lb           Lean ground beef or 1/2 beef
  3       T            Tomato paste
    2/3   c            Dry red wine
 35       oz           Can plum tomatoes, drained/c
                       Juice
                       Salt and ground black pepper
    2/3   lb           Pecorino cheese, grated (2 3

   TO PREPARE:  Pour polenta on an oiled work surface and spread 1/4"
 thick.  Let stand until cooled completely and firm, about 15 min. Cut
 into 3" squares; set aside.  (Can transfer squares to a baking sheet,
 cover and refrigerate overnight.)

   For the sauce: soak dried mushrooms in 1/3 c warm water until
 softened, about 30 min.  Strain liquid through a fine sieve; reserve.
 Chop mushrooms coarse.

   TO COOK: Heat oil and butter in a large skillet.  Add onions,
 parsley, carrots, and celery; saute until softened, about 10 min. Add
 ground meat; saute until lightly browned, about 8 min.  Stir in
 mushrooms, reserved mushroom soaking liquid, tomato paste, and wine;
 simmer for 5 min.  Add tomatoes and their reserved juice; partially
 cover and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 30 min.  Season
 this sauce with 1t salt and 1/2 t pepper or to taste.  (Can cool,
 cover, and refrigerate overnight.)

   Heat oven to 450 F.  Arrange half of the polenta squares in the
 bottom of an oiled 13x9" baking pan.  Pour half the sauce over the
 polenta squares; spread to cover.  Sprinkle half the grated cheese
 over the sauce.  Repeat with another layer of each.  Bake until
 lasagne is heated through and cheese is golden brown, 15 - 20 min; let
 stand 10 min, cut into squares and serve.

 From Cook's magazine, Nov '89.

                  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -