Dessert Lasagne 


Source: I Love Pasta

Third Place -- Dessert Category
Search for "America's Signature Pasta Recipes" Contest 



Serves 8 

12 pieces lasagne 
4 cups ricotta cheese 
1 cup sugar, divided 
8 kiwis, peeled 
4 cups strawberries, washed and trimmed, 8 reserved for garnishing 
4 cups blackberries, washed 
1/2 cup toasted, sliced almonds 
Mint sprigs, to garnish 

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Rinse, drain and set aside. 

In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside. 

In the food processor, puree 4 kiwis with 2 tablespoons sugar. Transfer the puree to a bowl and set it aside. Rinse the processor bowl. 

In the processor, puree half the strawberries with 2 tablespoons sugar. Strain the puree into a bowl and set it aside. Rinse the processor bowl. 

In the processor, puree half the blackberries with 2 tablespoons sugar. Strain the puree and set it aside. 

Slice the kiwis into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Slice the strawberries into 1/8-inch thick pieces. Slice the blackberries in half. 

Reserve 1/4 cup of each of the purees to use as a garnish when serving. 

To assemble the lasagne, first cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch glass baking pan with 3 pieces of pasta. Spoon 1/3 of the ricotta on top and spread it evenly. Pour the kiwi puree over the cheese and arrange the kiwi slices on the puree. Lay on 3 more pieces of pasta and cover with 1/2 the remaining cheese. Pour the strawberry puree over the cheese and sprinkle with sliced strawberries. Lay on 3 more pieces of pasta and cover with the remaining cheese. Pour the blackberries puree over the cheese and sprinkle with blackberries. Top with a final layer of pasta. Cover tightly with plastic and refrigerate overnight. 

Just before serving, sprinkle the lasagne with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and with the toasted almonds. Cut into 8 rectangles and use a spatula to set the pieces on dessert plates. Decorate the plates with dots of reserved purees. Garnish each piece of lasagne with a strawberry and a sprig of mint.