Open-Face Lasagna with Morel Mushrooms and Asparagus

Name: Open-Face Lasagna with Morel Mushrooms and Asparagus
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds wild or morel mushrooms, or mushrooms of your choice; 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Pinch of chile flakes; 1/2 cup shallots, finely chopped; 16 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic; 1 cup dry white wine; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 4 lasagna sheets; 12 ounces Taleggio or triple cream cow's milk cheese of your choice; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish; 1/2 cup fresh basil, shredded

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In this recipe, which is quicker to prepare than traditional lasagna, you get the rich, sweet goodness of tomatoes, the heat of chile, and the earthy vegetable heft of mushrooms and asparagus-a beautiful medley of flavor contrasts.

Yield: Serves 4

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds wild or morel mushrooms, or mushrooms of your choice

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of chile flakes

1/2 cup shallots, finely chopped

16 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 lasagna sheets

12 ounces Taleggio or triple cream cow's milk cheese of your choice

2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish

1/2 cup fresh basil, shredded

Directions

1. Rinse off the mushrooms and pat dry. Cut off the thickest part of the stems and discard. Cut the mushrooms into 1-inch pieces, roughly halves or quarters, depending on the size of the mushrooms.
2. In a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mushrooms, salt, pepper, and chile flakes. Stir to coat the mushrooms evenly with the olive oil. Saute until the mushrooms become golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the shallots and asparagus, stir, and cook until the mushrooms are deep golden and the asparagus is tender but firm, about 8 more minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, just to bring out the flavor of the garlic but not to brown it.
3. Add the white wine and simmer until reduced by half. Turn off the heat and set aside. Stir in the butter until melted and fully incorporated.
4. While the mushrooms are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, cook the lasagna according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, pull it out of the water and drain (do not rinse). Rub with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking and set 1 sheet of pasta on each of four plates.
5. Divide the Taleggio and Parmesan evenly across the pasta. Spoon the mushroom-asparagus mixture over the cheeses. The heat will partially melt the cheeses. Shower the basil on top of each plate. Drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil and a touch more Parmesan over each. Serve.