Jamaican Lasagna

Here is one of those classic recipes that if you don't prepare for yourself and partake of it, you will forever be asking yourself why you didn't...

Jamaican Lasagna....Sounds completely off the charts doesn't it?  Everybody knows that Lasagna is a pasta dish...An Italian pasta dish....But food really knows no nationality...And every culture can put their spin on a certain dish...This is what brings us together as human beings...

This recipe is from Chris's Kitchen....I got it from a Facebook page I liked called "Foodie TV"  (Free advertisement and plug)

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb jerk sausage, minced
3/4 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
12 Lasagna noodles
16 oz Anchor white Cheddar Cheese, grated
1 egg
8 oz mozzarella (preferably Sargento brand)
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
6 oz Carrots , diced into small cubes
3/4 tsp scotch bonnet pepper, minced
Coconut oil

DIRECTIONS: 

 1) Heat coconut oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepot, saute garlic and onion until the onions become translucent, then cook jerk sausage and ground beef in the saucepot until well browned.

2) Stir in crushed tomatoes,1 can tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced carrots and water. Season with sugar, basil, scotch bonnet pepper,fennel seeds, 1 tbsp salt, pepper, and 2 tbsps parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

3) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine cheddar cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

4) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

5) To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the cheddar cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese .

6) Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

7) Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

8) Tap the pan to force out the air bubbles, if any.Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes.

9) Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes so the noodles will settle and cut easily. Cut into 3-inch squares , serve, top with chives and enjoy!!!

Have with a red wine!

Enjoy!  Eat Well My Friends!