Ravioli Vegetable Lasagna
- 2 packages chopped frozen spinach, defrosted in microwave
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
- 4 -6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 cans quartered artichokes in water, drained well
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, a couple of handfuls
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 sack, 2 cups grated provolone or Italian 4 Cheese Blend, from dairy aisle, 10 ounces
- 1 large package (marked "Family Size") fresh ravioli, such as Contadina brand, 24 to 28 ounces, or choose your favorite filling, such as wild mushroom or 4 cheese
- 1 pound thin asparagus spears, trimmed of tough ends
- Bring a pot of water to boil for ravioli.
- While water comes to a boil, drain defrosted frozen chopped spinach by wringing it dry in a kitchen towel, working over a garbage bowl or your sink.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons or 2 turns of the pan, and the garlic.
- Saute garlic in oil 1 minute, then sprinkle spinach into the garlic oil.
- Add artichoke heart pieces to the pan and turn to combine and heat through.
- Season vegetables with and remove from heat to a bowl.
- Place skillet back on the heat and melt butter.
- Whisk flour into butter and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
- Whisk stock into flour and butter and let it bubble.
- Whisk in cream and Parmesan.
- Season sauce with nutmeg, salt and pepper and thicken 1 to 2 minutes.
- Preheat broiler to high.
- Set rack between middle of oven groove and top rack groove, about 8 inches from heat.
- When water boils, salt water, add ravioli and cook 4 to 5 minutes.
- Ravioli should be less than al dente, still a bit chewy -- it will continue cooking when combined with sauce and vegetables.
- Place a colander over ravioli as it cooks and add asparagus to it.
- Cut thin, trimmed asparagus into 2-inch pieces on an angle.
- Steam the chopped asparagus while pasta cooks, 2 to 3 minutes, until just fork-tender, but still green.
- Remove asparagus and add to bowl with spinach and artichokes.
- Place colander in your sink and drain ravioli.
- Drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil onto the bottom of a medium oval casserole or a rectangular baking dish and brush pan to coat evenly.
- Arrange a layer using 1/2 of cooked ravioli in the dish.
- Layer 1/2 of the cooked vegetables over the ravioli.
- Next, add a few ladles of sauce, then vegetables, then top casserole with the last of the ravioli.
- Dot top of "lasagna" with any remaining sauce and cover liberally with gratedprovolone or 4 cheese blend.
- Brown cheese 8 inches from broiler, 5 minutes.
frozen spinach, extravirgin olive oil, garlic, water, salt, butter, flour, vegetable, cream, nutmeg, salt, sack, fresh ravioli, thin
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/ravioli-vegetable-lasagna-recipe.html (may not work)