Slow Cooker Lasagna
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 10 ounces eggplant, about 1 small, quartered lengthwise and sliced on mandoline
- 10 ounces zucchini, about 1 small, sliced lengthwise on mandoline
- 1 pound hot and mild grass-fed beef sausage links
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning , divided
- 1/2 ounce all-purpose flour
- 1/2 ounce goat's milk powder
- 2 large portobello mushroom caps, sliced
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella, grated
- Place the lasagna noodles in a 13 by 9-inch metal pan and pour over enough hot water to cover the noodles.
- Set aside until pliable, about 30 minutes.
- Drain the water from the noodles, separate, and set aside.
- Place the eggplant and zucchini in the bowl of a salad spinner.
- Sprinkle with the salt and purge for 20 minutes, tossing after the first 10 minutes.
- Remove the sausage from its casing and chop or pinch into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Set aside.
- Rinse the eggplant and zucchini under running water and spin until mostly dry.
- Use 4 pliable lasagna noodles to line the sides of a 3-quart slow cooker.
- Overlap the noodles slightly and press against the sides so they stick.
- Crush 1 tomato with your hand onto the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cover with half of the sausage.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning, one-fourth of the flour, and one-fourth of the goat's milk powder.
- Add one-fourth of the purged vegetables in a layer, slightly overlapping the pieces.
- Add one-fourth of the sliced mushrooms in a layer.
- Add one-fourth of the remaining noodles in a layer, cut to fit any gaps, slightly overlapping the pieces.
- Gently press down on the noodles before building next layer.
- Crush another tomato and place atop the noodles.
- Add half of the ground pork, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning, one-fourth of the flour, one-fourth of the goat's milk powder, one-fourth of the vegetables, and one-fourth of the mushrooms.
- Repeat 2 more times with the remaining ingredients.
- You will have 4 layers.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of the tomato juice from the can on the top of the last layer of the noodles.
- Set the slow cooker to low, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
- Remove any excess fat that has accumulated by pressing down directly on the top of the lasagna with a dish or small lid.
- Turn off the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
- Cover and leave for 30 minutes.
- Brown the cheese, if desired, using a propane torch or heat gun.
- Propane gas torches are highly flammable and should be kept away from heat, open flame, and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- They should only be used in well-ventilated areas.
- When lighting a propane gas torch, place the torch on a flat, steady surface, facing away from you.
- Light the match or lighter and then open the gas valve.
- Light the gas jet, and blow out the match.
- Always turn off the burner valve to "finger tight" when finished using the torch.
- Children should never use a propane gas torch without adult supervision.
lasagna noodles, eggplant, zucchini, kosher salt, tomatoes, italian seasoning, flour, goats milk, portobello mushroom caps, ground pork, mozzarella
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/slow-cooker-lasagna-recipe.html (may not work)