Sichuan Lasagna
A spicy, creamy Sichuan-inspired lasagna loaded with umami flavors from a unique ragù and creamy béchamel. Perfect for those who love comfort food with a kick.
By @xiensscran
Cook time: 180 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 7 oz Pancetta finely chopped
- 1 White Onion finely diced
- 1 stalk Celery finely diced
- 1 Carrot finely diced
- 12 oz Pork Mince
- 12 oz Beef Mince
- 1 tbsp Sichuan Peppercorns crushed
- 5 tbsp Chili Bean Paste
- 3 tbsp Black Bean Chili Oil
- 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 3 Bay Leaves
- 6.8 fl oz Red Wine
- 6.8 fl oz Milk
- 27 fl oz Chicken Bone Broth or water + bouillon
- 14 oz Tinned Plum Tomatoes
- 3.5 oz Butter
- 3.5 oz Plain Flour
- 34 fl oz Milk
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 oz Parmesan finely grated
- 17.6 oz Fresh Lasagne Sheets
- 8.8 oz Mozzarella shredded
- 1.4 oz Parmesan grated
- 0 Black Bean Chili Oil to taste
- 0 Chives finely chopped
Instructions
- Fry the pancetta over medium heat in a large pot until the fat renders and it starts to crisp.
- Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot to the pancetta. Cook until softened.
- Add the pork and beef mince. Break up with a spoon and fry until just cooked.
- Crush the Sichuan peppercorns and add to the meat along with chili bean paste and black bean chili oil.
- Add the remaining seasonings and sauces: light soy sauce, oyster sauce, bay leaves, red wine, milk, chicken broth, and plum tomatoes. Simmer for at least an hour.
- Prepare the béchamel: Melt butter in a pot, add flour to form a roux, and gradually whisk in milk until thickened. Add nutmeg and Parmesan.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Cut the lasagne sheets to fit your baking dish. Cook according to package instructions, then transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Drain.
- Assemble the lasagna: In a baking dish, layer pasta, béchamel, ragù, and mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients are used up. Top with Parmesan.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until golden and edges start to crisp up.
- Serve with a drizzle of black bean chili oil and a sprinkle of chopped chives.