Spinach Lasagna with a Desi twist

Grated cheeses

Spinach Lasagna
Ingredients:

Spinach mixture

• 10 to 12 Lasagna noodles(sheets)
• 2 or 3 cups of any pasta sauce of your choice
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese(any pizza blend will do)
• 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1/2 lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 1 clove crushed garlic(optional)
• 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
• 1tsp of Italian spices (any kind)
• 2 tbs of rasam powder
• 4 tbs of olive oil
• 2 tsp salt

Method
Boil about 3 quarts of water in a large pot. Add 1 tsp salt and pasta noodles and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 10 to 12 minutes, until the desired tenderness is reached. Remove from heat and drain.
In a pan saute garlic and onion in 2 tbs of oil on medium heat. Add the 3/4 tsp spices, 3/4 tsp pepper, 1 tsp salt and spinach. Continue to stir, mix and cook on medium heat till the spinach is nicely wilted, about 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Lasagna slice

Smear 2 table spoons of oil in a 9"x13" pan. Spread about 1/2 cup of pasta sauce at the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of rasam powder. Place 2 or 3 pasta noodles in a single layer and spread about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cooked spinach mixture on top of the pasta noodles. Spread 1/2 cup of sauce on top of it. Then spread 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle 1/2 tsp pf rasam powder over it all. Repeat layering. Top the last pasta layer with the Mexican cheese blend. Sprinkle the remaining spices and pepper on top. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. then, increase the oven temp to 450 degrees. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese is browned lightly and is bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Cooking tips:
Can also sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan cheese on the top layer during the last 10 minutes of the incovered baking. Also spread 1/8 cup freshly chopped parsley on the top layer to spruce up the lasagna. For drier lasagna spread the pasta sauce stringently, for juicer lasagna add pasta sauce more generously in between layers.
Serving tips:
Serve with salad and bread sticks.