October 27, 1995
Web posted at: 6:30 p.m. EDT
From Correspondent Carolyn O'Neil
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Lasagna may be the ultimate entertaining dish, but it's been traditionally laden with fat and calories. Eating Well magazine offers a recipe that will allow full enjoyment of the lasagna's flavor and richness without the fat.
"The original lasagna recipe contained about 36 grams of fat," says Patsy Jamieson of Eating Well. "We cut that back to 11 ... primarily by removing the meat from the meat sauce and making a cream sauce with low-fat milk and just a little bit of olive oil."
To make the sauce, heat a half tablespoon of olive oil and stir in onions, carrots and celery. Then add mushrooms, garlic, wine, tomatoes and thyme.
"This is intensely nutritious because you have all the different vegetables and you really don't need the meat," says Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Hiser, "... mushrooms replace the meat and it still has a rich meaty taste."
To make the reduced fat cream sauce, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and whisk in flour. Next whisk in low-fat milk. (153K AIFF sound or 153K WAV sound)
The recipe calls for fresh spinach noodles, but Jamieson says that "the no boil lasagna noodle" can eliminate some of the work involved in using fresh pasta. (260K AIFF sound or 260K WAV sound)
Assemble the lasagna by layering mushroom sauce, noodles, spinach leaves and cream sauce.
"I think it's great to make a lasagna that has spinach and grains," says Hiser. "Most lasagnas have good nutritional value, but they have too much fat."
At 11 grams of fat and 480 calories per serving, this recipe for lasagna can be a healthy alternative for the holidays.
If you would like a free copy of this recipe, write to Contemporary Cooking, c/o Eating Well Magazine, Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT 05445. And remember to ask for the lasagna.
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