Beef Lasagne (Very Yummy !!)

Lasagne
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion finely chopped
2 oz carrot finely chopped
4 oz button mushrooms sliced
2 oz pancetta (or un-smoked streaky bacon)
1 clove garlic crushed
1 lb good mince beef.
8 oz tin chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato puree
¼ pint dry white wine
¼ pint beef stock
1 ½ pints whole milk
A few slices of onion carrot and celery
6 black pepper corns
4 oz butter
3 oz plain flour
2 bay leaf
¼ tsp sugar
12-15 sheets lasagne
4 oz fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Method:
11 Heat oil in large heavy based pan. Add the onion, carrot mushrooms, pancetta and garlic. Fry, for 2-3 minutes, stirring. When onion has softened add the minced beef.

2. Stir in the tinned tomatoes and juice, tomato puree, wine and beef stock. ¼ teaspoon sugar and bay leaf. Bring to boil reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Adjust seasoning.

3. Meanwhile make the sauce. Pour the milk into a saucepan, add a few slices of onion, carrot and celery, the peppercorns and remaining bay leaf. Bring slowly to the boil, then remove from the heat, cover and leave to infuse for 15 minutes.

4. Make the sauce. Strain infused milk into a jug. Melt butter in a pan, add the flour and cook over a low heat stirring with wooden spoon for a couple of minutes. Remove from the heat and gradually blend in the milk, stirring all the time to prevent lumps. Bring gently to boil and keep stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add seasoning to taste.

5. Brush inside of baking dish with some butter or oil. Spoon just under 1/3rd of meat sauce over base of the dish. Cover this with a layer of lasagne and spread 1/3rd of béchamel sauce. Repeat these layers twice more, finishing with the béchamel sauce which should cover the lasagne completely. Sprinkle the grated parmesan over the top.

6. Bake in hot oven at 180C for at least an hour.


Notes:
I prefer to cook this in advance and cook it for about 40-45 minutes. Then reheat at 180 for 45 minutes

Serve with a simple crisp green salad.

No need to pre cook the sheets of lasagne