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Unexpected Ingredient to Elevate Your Lasagne Dish
For those seeking to enhance the taste of their lasagne, there’s an unconventional component that can significantly amplify its flavour profile, and it might be something entirely unexpected. Lasagne, a beloved staple across Britain, boasts Italian heritage and has become a favoured meal in UK households and a common offering on pub menus. This layered creation, typically composed of minced beef, pasta sheets, vegetables, and creamy white sauce, consistently pleases palates. However, incorporating a surprising element can elevate this popular dish even further.
Culinary Experts Champion Cinnamon in Lasagne Recipes
Numerous cooks have shared this culinary tip online, advocating its consistent use in lasagne preparation. Lindsay Funston, Editor in Chief at The Kitchen, and Lauren Rothman, author for Tasting Table, are among those who regularly include cinnamon in their lasagne recipes. Both acknowledge that cinnamon might initially appear to be an unusual addition for many home cooks, but they strongly recommend giving it a try to enhance the overall flavour.
Cinnamon Enhances Ricotta Filling, Expert Says
Rothman suggests that cinnamon is a superb complement to the ricotta cheese filling in lasagne. Funston notes that it was the secret ingredient her Italian grandmother, a seasoned cook, always incorporated into her lasagne recipe, highlighting its heritage and flavour-boosting properties.
Online Community Embraces the Cinnamon Lasagne Hack
This flavour-enhancing technique has also gained traction within online culinary communities. On Reddit, a user seeking advice on making their lasagne exceptional received a recommendation to introduce two teaspoons of cinnamon to the recipe.
Another online contributor shared a family tradition: “My Italian granny prepared lasagne with a ricotta layer instead of béchamel. The layers consisted of meat sauce (bolognese for purists, but we used minced beef or pork in regular tomato sauce), pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, repeated. She enriched the ricotta with an egg and a couple of shakes of cinnamon. It sounds peculiar, but it’s the most exquisite lasagne I’ve ever tasted,” emphasizing the surprising yet delightful flavour impact.
Nutmeg: Another Aromatic Alternative for Lasagne
Some cooks also suggest nutmeg as an alternative to cinnamon, added to the ricotta to impart an extra dimension of flavour to the lasagne. Both spices offer a subtle warmth that complements the rich ingredients in the dish.
Cinnamon: A Family Secret from Tony Bennett’s Mother’s Lasagne Recipe
Adding cinnamon to lasagne was reportedly a cherished secret of the mother of legendary Italian-American singer Tony Bennett. According to Donna John from 30 Seconds Food, “Her lasagna recipe features simple, foundational ingredients: minced beef, onions, spicy Italian sausage, garlic, canned plum tomatoes, tomato purée, tomato paste, fresh basil, cinnamon (a surprising touch), lasagne noodles, eggs, fresh ricotta, and Pecorino Romano cheese,” underscoring the unexpected yet flavourful role of cinnamon in even classic recipes.