Cooking Is Easy "Cooking Videos"
The "Cooking Is Easy" cooking videos area great way to learn the steps to making a dish. Follow the steps just like a traditional recipe and click in the video box for a demonstration of that step. Of course for a complete demonstration you can get our DVD, "Cooking Is Easy, Vol 1" (see sidebar)
Video Demo: Vegetable Lasagne
This is an example of our basic Lasagne technique, layering ingredients and baking. The sauce is based on a bechemel sauce with parmesan cheese and dijon mustard added.
The white sauce is really what makes this dish. It is so rich and flavorful. Meat eaters might think of vegetable lasagne as boring but try this one and you'll be hooked.
<watch video demo
See the full video demonstration on our DVD, "Cooking Is Easy, Vol. 1"
Follow the steps below. The video clips will guide you through each step in the process.
Prepare all your ingredients first, they lay them out to assemble dish.
Step 1: Vegetables; Use whatever you like but here's a suggested assortment:
1 zucchini
1 yellow squash
1 red bell pepper
2 carrots
1 red onion
broccoli spears
1/2 lb mushrooms
slice into thin, bit size pieces
<watch video demo
Videos taken from "Cooking Is Easy, Vol 1" DVD
Step 2: This vegetable lasagne will use a white sauce, and that's the only difficult part of this. The rest is simple so let's get started with that.
Make a roux: (this is what will thicken the sauce)
1/2 C butter (1 stick Unsalted)
1/2 C flour
To make a roux:
Melt the butter, then add flour and whisk.
Set to med heat
Important: Whisk continuously. Don't walk away, you don't want this to burn or turn brown. It should have a light "blonde" color
Whisk for about 5-8 minutes
Step 3: Once the roux is thick and had some cooking time, (about 5-8 minutes) add 5 Cups of milk. Add it gradually while whisking. You may see lumps at first, don't worry, just keep whisking.
5 C Whole Milk
Important: Don't walk away. This is part you need to focus on. Whisk throughout the process.
<watch video demo
Videos taken from "Cooking Is Easy, Vol 1" DVD
Step 4a: Add salt and white pepper.
<watch video demo
Step 4b: Turn heat to med high and whisk. It will take about 5 minutes. You will actually feel it getting thicker.
<watch video demo
Step 5: Now that the sauce is thick, we finish it by adding parmesan cheese and dijon mustard.
Turn off heat
1 Cup grated parmesan
2 tsp dijon mustard
<watch video demo
Step 6: The sauce is done. Let it cool a few minutes, then while you prepare the rest of the ingredients here's a great way to keep the sauce from develping a film on top. Cover with cling wrap. Gently press the cling wrap onto the surface of the sauce.
<watch video demo
Step 7: Now saute the vegetables. Divide them into firm and soft types. Firm vegetables include broccoli, carrots, asparagus, etc.
Saute them first for 2-3 minutes.
Next add a little water, cover and steam them for another 3 minutes.
<watch video demo
Videos taken from "Cooking Is Easy, Vol 1" DVD
Step 8: Next get the onions started by making a space in the center, add some olive oil and saute the onions for about 2 minutes.
Next add the other vegetables and saute until they are tender. Approx. 5 minutes
<watch video demo
Step 9: Lay out all ingredients to assemble dish.
Ingredients:
Sauce
boiled lasagne noodles (9 sheets) *
sauted vegetables
ricotta cheese
grated mozzarella cheese
grated parmesan cheese
layers: sauce - noodles - vegetables - cheeses
Layer the ingredients. It usually makes 3 layers
* Boil lasagne noodles according to package instructions. Don't overcook
<watch video demo
Step 10: Cover with foil and bake for 45 min.
Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes.
When sauce is bubbling it's done!
<watch video demo
Step 11: Remove from oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes to allow it to set.
Take a look at your finished product!
Videos taken from "Cooking Is Easy, Vol 1" DVD.
The DVD contains demonstrations of many essential cooking techniques like this basic saute meat with simple pan sauce. Order from Amazon. See right sidebar.
