Dessert for Dinner
March 27, 2009 at 12:01 am | Posted in Baking / Cooking, Food | 84 CommentsIf there was one crowd-pleasing dinner option out there, that title might just go to the classic lasagna. What with the pasta, protein, “cheese”, and countless veggie options, not to mention all of the flavor variations available, there’s always something for everyone at the table to enjoy. And yet, I will be the first to admit that to this day, I have never made a traditional lasagna. Sure, it has something to do with the long wait time from oven to table, and all of the labor involved if you start from scratch, but really, it’s more than that. I may get booted off the island for saying this, but I find the whole thing far too heavy! Much preferring light meals and decadent desserts, this is one main dish that doesn’t suit my eating habits very well. That’s why when the most recent Daring Baker challenge was announced, my heart dropped all the way to the floor.
The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and Caviar, Melinda of Melbourne Larder and Enza of Io Da Grande. They have chosen Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna from The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Kasper as the challenge.
Seriously, this is wrong! It’s barely even applicable for the group, if you ask me! Has there been some mix-up with the new Daring Cooks starting up soon? I thought in frustration, loath to begin upon this task. Having accepted the fact that the challenge will be something I dislike or am unenthusiastic about 90% of the time now, this was still over the line. For the first time in 1 1/2 years, I truly thought about sitting this one out. Besides, there were plenty of other things to be done, and it wouldn’t kill me to take it easy for this once.
…And if you know me, you would know that I got over it pretty quickly, and began to make some radical changes to make this challenge work for me.
It may look totally different, and be sweet instead of savory, but I promise I adhered to the rules and stuck with all of the required components!
Making my pasta, I threw in a good pinch of ground ginger to perk it up a bit, along with a handful of powdered sugar to sweeten the deal somewhat. After rolling it out paper-thin, it air-dried on the counter for 2 days to get as much moisture out as possible. Of course, I could have easily dehydrated it for an hour or two instead, but I took the lazy approach this time around. The drying step is very important though, because then the little rectangles went straight into… A vat of bubbling oil! That’s right, I fried my pasta!
Once beautifully browned and crisp, my ginger pasta was layered with pomegranate “fluff” made with versawhip, and a simple dark chocolate mousse. The colors were meant to somewhat represent the “tomato sauce” and “meat,” if you will. Placed on a dollop of almond bechamel and finished off with a curlicue of marzipan, it was certainly one of the most unusual lasagnas I had ever seen!
The combination of flavors and textures ensured that each and every bite was just as exciting as the last. This is why I love layered desserts, and I’m just happy I was able to turn an otherwise plain jane lasagna into something that I actually wanted to make!
84 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a Reply
My Cookbooks
My Ebooks
Subscribe Via RSS
-
Sponsors:
-
Awards
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez. Fonts on this blog.
Entries and comments feeds.
I love it! What a great way to complete the challenge yet still make it something you like. I’m also amused at how many of us were confused by having lasagne as a challenge instead of, you know, the usual stuff. ;)
Comment by Candice— March 27, 2009 #
Wowza, you certainly took “lasagna” to the next level. Great job!
Comment by Michelle— March 27, 2009 #
Fantastic effort Fried pasta I have hear of it but never thought I would see it. Excellent photo. Great job on this challenge.
Comment by Audax Artifex— March 27, 2009 #
MMMM!
Comment by Megan— March 27, 2009 #
That is gorgeous and so incredibly creative! It looks delicious.
Comment by informalblathering— March 27, 2009 #
This is the best idea!! I have to say, I have never been a fan of lasagna either. I prefer decadent desserts and a light meal over heavy food as well.
PS: There is a slight possibility I am moving to Fairfield! Nothing is set yet, but NYC is proving to be far too expensive at the moment.
Comment by Nicole— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, that is a nice looking “lasagne”. Fried pasta, I will have to try that!
Comment by yaelian— March 27, 2009 #
That looks incredible! And what a great idea to turn a savoury into a dessert! I love it!
Comment by Vegetation— March 27, 2009 #
Gorgeous! Very creative and definitely my kind of lasagna!
Comment by peasepudding— March 27, 2009 #
What a fabulous creation. I’d love to eat your lasagna any time. I’m so glad you made this challenge work for you!! The idea of your sweet fried pasta is just FABULOUS!! Layered with all that creaminess…mmm, mmm! I’m just so impressed.
Comment by Elyse— March 27, 2009 #
What a pretty dessert! Beautiful and surely extremely delicious! a great idea.
cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa— March 27, 2009 #
I was thinking of frying the pasta too when I was leaning toward a dessert lasagna! Now I wish I did, since yours came out so gorgeous! AMAZING job and it looks delish!
Comment by lisamichele— March 27, 2009 #
I wondered how many people would do sweet rather than savory! It’s really pretty.
Comment by shellyfish— March 27, 2009 #
Very interesting.
Comment by rachel— March 27, 2009 #
Looks gorgeous, Hannah and its a really inspire dessert. I just saw another one, but with pistachio flavoured pasta.
Comment by Aparna— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, such a creative idea!
Comment by Happy Vegan Lady— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, this looks absolutely fabulous!
Comment by Dimah— March 27, 2009 #
that is genius!
Comment by Virginia— March 27, 2009 #
MARVELOUS!
Comment by VeggieGirl— March 27, 2009 #
Creative genius at it’s best! It’s STUNNING!! Well done indeed!
Comment by deeba— March 27, 2009 #
Scrumptious lasagne!!!
Comment by shelby— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, Hannah. That’s super-amazing.
Comment by mihl— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, you’re the second person I’ve seen who fried their pasta – I totally need to try that sometime. I love your take on it, especially the curlicue of marzipan – I’m a sucker for that stuff!
Comment by Caitlin— March 27, 2009 #
I thought the same thing when I read about this month’s challenge: did they make a mistake? It’s not a baked good, and it’s not sweet! (Well, I suppose, technically, lasagna is “baked”). But I much prefer your interpretation of the challenge! Bravo for meeting (and besting) this month’s DB Challenge!
Comment by Ricki— March 27, 2009 #
Great work with the challenge Hannah! This looks amazingly delicious!
Comment by veron— March 27, 2009 #
Haha! Hannah you crack me up. Your protest to lasagna is to make it a whimsical treat. :)
It looks amazing, as always.
Comment by Theresa— March 27, 2009 #
Wow, great job in interpreting this month’s challenge. Love your dessert version of it and wish I had a taste of it.
Comment by Jo— March 27, 2009 #
I hate lasagna too!I have never made it, and I’m never excited about this dish. I don’t know why everyone is so crazy about it…I didn’t do the daring bakers challenge this month, because I wasn’t excited about it and I was way too busy.
But your lasagna is AWESOME.
Comment by Veggie Wedgie— March 27, 2009 #
This is wonderful! What an inventive, fun twist on the classic lasagna. Very well done, as always!
Comment by The voracious Vegan— March 27, 2009 #
Though I do like lasagna a lot, I didn’t like this challenge in the sense that I thought it was cooking and not baking. But what can you do? A challenge is a challenge ;)
Love your approach a lot! And I bet it was delicious! Still thinking what to make…obviously something sweet :)
Comment by linda— March 27, 2009 #
Even though I am a true lasagna lover, I love that you stuck to the rules and made something totally amazing!! Great job!! And it just looks so adorable :)
Comment by stephchows— March 27, 2009 #
what a great way to solve the problem! you’re so creative, as always :)
Comment by allularpunk— March 27, 2009 #
You’re amazing not only are your photos outstanding but everything you make is creative, yours,and vegan! I struggle with the first three and can’t even imagine the challenges that come along with the last one.
~ingrid
Comment by ingrid— March 27, 2009 #
The thought of fried pasta is pretty dangerous for me…I just sneaked my mom’s circa 1970 fry-daddy out of her house! Your sweet lasagna looks quite wonderful! I love the twist. :)
Comment by Jes— March 27, 2009 #
You never cease to amaze me.
Comment by Vegyogini— March 27, 2009 #
Oh, I love it. I’m not a big lasagne eater to begin with. This is definitely more up my alley.
Comment by pinkstripes— March 27, 2009 #
Hannah, how brilliant is this. I love your take on Lasagna. I would have never thought of this in my life. Wonderful!
Comment by Chuck— March 27, 2009 #
How naughty! I was a bit lukewarm about the challenge, but I’m glad I tried the spinach pasta!
Comment by jennywenny— March 27, 2009 #
I really dislike lasgana with a passion…but your interpretation is BRILLIANT! I would eat it every day – gorgeous :)
Comment by Lucy— March 27, 2009 #
I would take your version over the traditional lasagne ANYTIME! I’ve made them before and it is way too much work. I’m glad you found a way to make it fun!
Comment by Jessica— March 27, 2009 #
Yum!
Comment by melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 a Day— March 27, 2009 #
I had the exact same thoughts as you. Was there a mix up with the DB and DC? I felt like sitting this one out too. But I guess we both decided to make a deep fried sweet pasta dessert that mimics a lasagna. Yours looks amazing.
Comment by Mary Alpineberry— March 27, 2009 #
This is a really interesting twist! I never would have thought of frying the lasagne. Fantastic idea! And it looks really tasty.
Comment by Singing Horse— March 27, 2009 #
I’ve never thought of lasagna as adorable but yours fits the bill! oh my gosh I wish I had your sort of creativity to make the challenge as sugary as I was hoping.
haha and I was also confused… but apparently your confusion can still rock the challenge :) great job!
Comment by brie— March 27, 2009 #
Kudos to you for seeing this challenge through and coming up with such a creative adaptation of the recipe! Admittedly, I haven’t been crazy about the challenges lately myself.
Comment by Janet— March 27, 2009 #
This is beautiful! How could you even dare take one bite! You are so artistic at what you do. Anyways can’t obviously say enough about it.
Comment by dreamin'itvegan— March 27, 2009 #
Now THAT’S a a lasagna that no one could dislike! Fried dough sounds oddly delicious right now…haha
Comment by Animal-Friendly— March 27, 2009 #
You are too much! That is truly an inspired and creative lasagna! It looks so beautiful and delicious! :-D
Comment by chowvegan— March 27, 2009 #
Great job! I always love it when people think outside the box, lots of creativity! Beautiful
Comment by Lori— March 27, 2009 #
OMG…this is brilliant! You have taken the classic to a whole new level, bravo! Very well done.
Comment by Namratha— March 27, 2009 #
That is so much fun!
Comment by Esther— March 27, 2009 #
Simply gorgeous!
Comment by Stephanie— March 27, 2009 #
Very clever and the combination sounds delicious! You should have snuck in some matcha to make the pasta green like all the spinach versions. Are you going to come out with an e-book or otherwise start sharing your Verswhip recipes? I’d love to give them a try and offer my testing services *wink*.
Comment by Maggie— March 27, 2009 #
Very nice… a beautiful, delicate and colorful sweet lasagna, in a sea of savory ones! How refreshing! How creative!
Two thumbs up!!!
Comment by Vibi— March 27, 2009 #
This is so amazing, Hannah! You are incredibly creative. Ginger, pomegranate, almond, and chocolate is a fantastic flavor combination.
Comment by Diann— March 27, 2009 #
Oh my goodness! Is that really lasagne? How clever! :D
Comment by Y— March 28, 2009 #
Adorable! I would have scoffed at a lasagna for Daring Bakers as well!
Comment by Melisser— March 28, 2009 #
This is amazing!!! Great job!
Comment by Ashley— March 28, 2009 #
Yum Yum….one of this day I definitely will serve this lasagna as dinner…
Comment by Juliana— March 28, 2009 #
YUM! I love the dessert take on this dish =D!
Comment by Lauren— March 28, 2009 #
You better win!
Comment by Ed Coffin— March 28, 2009 #
Honey, you so rock :) I love that you made this savory challenge sweet. Brilliant!
Comment by Jen Yu— March 28, 2009 #
My toddler said it’s Ice-cream and insisted that I ‘plucked’ it out from the screen for him to eat! Well executed! 4 thumbs up from here! :-D
Comment by pixen— March 28, 2009 #
Mmmmm, looks delicious. Those flavors all sound incredible together!
Comment by sara— March 28, 2009 #
Looks great!
Comment by Jenn— March 28, 2009 #
wow wonderful :)
Comment by snooky doodle— March 28, 2009 #
Wow, great interpretation of the challenge. As soon as I saw it on the forums I thought wow, I have to see this up close!
Comment by Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella— March 28, 2009 #
Way to go Hannah!! You always come up with something so unique and creative for the DB challenges! How cool that you fried the pasta. Looks delicious.
Comment by Vegan_Noodle— March 28, 2009 #
This is the best! You are so creative with all of your kitchen endeavors. Glad it worked out in the end, and you didn’t have to sit this one out.
Comment by Hayley— March 28, 2009 #
this is one of the most creative things i have ever seen you do!!!! well, ok everything you do is creative and perfect! but this one is like magic! love it!!!
Comment by Mariposa— March 28, 2009 #
This looks like the best kind of lasagna.
Comment by peabody— March 28, 2009 #
HA! Dessert Lasanga- too creative! :D
I have similar habbits- not too heavy dinner and decadent dessert, but obviously it varies :)
Comment by laci— March 29, 2009 #
Genious! I absolutely loving your entry this month! Top it with a stunning photos and plating.. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous!
Comment by asti— March 29, 2009 #
Mmm great take on lasagna! The fried pasta squares look so good.
Comment by Ashley— March 29, 2009 #
oh my! YUM!
Comment by Stephanie M.— March 29, 2009 #
Brilliant!!
Comment by Linda @ Tender Crumb— March 29, 2009 #
Interesting! Different! Creative! Delicious! Wow!!!!
Comment by teaandscones— March 29, 2009 #
Firstly what a lovely blog you have!
Secondly, wow, wow, wow!!! What an amazing lasagne :) I’ve never made a sweet one before but I really must, oh yum!!!
Comment by Kitchen Goddess— March 30, 2009 #
hannah,
i recently stumbled upon your blog and have marvelled on your creations, your text and your images. you are an excellent vegan recipe resource!
i love your approach to this month’s DB challenge. a few years ago, i made something similar, sandwiching lychee mousse between wafer thin sheets of lasagna – baked instead of fried.
your creation not only bring back fond memories but inspire new ones. thank you for sharing your wonderful work with all of us.
li
Comment by Li— March 30, 2009 #
You and I had the same thoughts about this challenge- I thought, ugh- lasagna? Really? I think there were only a few of us that made it into a dessert… Your’s looks adorable and more whimsical than mine!:)
Comment by DJ Karma— March 31, 2009 #
Simply beautiful!
Comment by Natalie— March 31, 2009 #
O wow!! I’ve been a little behind in reading your posts since I’ve been busy but… this is one hell of a lasagna!! How incredibly creative to make this beautiful dessert out of the Daring Bakers challenge! So far you’re the most creative one I have seen!!
Comment by Simone (junglefrog)— April 2, 2009 #
Very pretty!
Comment by Jenny— April 2, 2009 #
Mummm sa m’a l’air tellement excellent que sa me fait froid dans le dos,nous aussi nous faisons de plats alléchants comme vous si vous pouvez nous donner votre avis sur notre blog sa nous ferais très plaisir
Merci votre blog est super
Les 2 chefs
Comment by les 2 chefs— June 28, 2009 #