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White Lasagna with Shrimp, Squid, and Green Lemon

17/11/2023

White lasagna with shrimp, squid, and green lemon is a refined and tasty variant of the classic Italian dish. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of lasagna noodles (fresh or dry requiring pre-cooking)
  • 300 g of peeled shrimp
  • 300 g of cleaned squid, cut into rings
  • Grated zest of one green lemon
  • Juice of half a green lemon
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 500 ml of bechamel sauce
  • A bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino) for gratin

Preparation

  1. If you’re using dry lasagna noodles that require pre-cooking, boil them in plenty of salted water following the instructions on the package, but drain them a couple of minutes short of the indicated time so that they remain al dente. If you’re using fresh lasagna, you can skip this step.

  2. In a large skillet, heat a little oil and lightly sauté the garlic cloves. Add the squid and sauté for a few minutes on high heat, then add the shrimp and continue cooking until they have turned pink and are cooked but still juicy.

  3. Add the green lemon zest and juice along with half of the chopped parsley. Sauté for another minute, then turn off the heat and set the seafood mixture aside.

  4. Prepare the bechamel sauce with butter, flour, and milk if you haven’t already; season with salt, pepper, and, if you like, a pinch of nutmeg.

  5. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil. Begin with a layer of bechamel on the bottom, followed by a layer of lasagna, some of the seafood mixture, and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Continue layering the ingredients until all are used up, finishing with a layer of bechamel and a generous sprinkling of grated cheese.

  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 25-30 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.

  7. Let the lasagna rest for 5-10 minutes before serving and garnish with the remaining fresh parsley.

Curiosity

This recipe is an example of how Italian cuisine lends itself wonderfully to creative interpretations, blending traditional ingredients with more exotic flavors like that of green lemon. The addition of lemon not only brings freshness and lightness to the dish but creates a pleasant contrast with the creaminess of the bechamel and the sweetness of the seafood.