HELP......looking for something wo make for our friends...

[kwormann]

DH's oldest friend and his wife just had their first child. We are going to cook for them. We are making Lazy Lasagna for their freezer, and wanted to make something else for all of us to eat while we are there. I was sure there was a SW lasagna, or a SW casserole with black beans (I know there is chicken enchilada casserole that I could make with beans), but thought there was also something else.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know ASAP!

TIA
KIM

[slknight]

What about the Chipotle Tamale Pie? It has beans in it, and was in the Jan/Feb 2001 issue in the community section about making meals for others. It's really good and transportable.

[ama47369]

Kim-

Here is the Black Bean Lasagna, I don't know if this is what you are looking for...


Black-Bean Lasagna

SOURCE: Cooking Light YEAR: April PAGE: 176

INGREDIENTS FOR 8 SERVINGS:
4 jalapeno peppers
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chopped tomato
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 (8-ounce) carton reduced-fat sour cream
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 (16-ounce) bottle chunky salsa
Cooking spray
12 cooked lasagna noodles
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:
The filling for this lasagna has a Southwestern flavor that's similar to that
of black-bean burritos.

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper
halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil
4 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand
5 minutes. Peel and chop. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.

3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell
peppers, and garlic; saute 6 minutes. Add tomato, cumin, and coriander; cook 3
minutes. Add jalapeno and beans; cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 10
minutes. Stir in cilantro, sour cream, and egg.

4. Spread 3 tablespoons salsa in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated
with cooking spray. Arrange 4 noodles slightly overlapping over salsa, and top
with half of the bean mixture, 1/2 cup cheese, and 3 tablespoons salsa. Repeat
the layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining salsa over noodles, and
sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5
minutes. Yield: 8 servings.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
CALORIES 452 (25% from fat); FAT 12.6g (sat 6.7g, mono 3.4g, poly 1.3g);
PROTEIN 21.8g; CARB 65.2g; FIBER 7.5g; CHOL 55mg; IRON 5.4mg; SODIUM 559mg;
CALC 262mg

[kwormann]

Thats is, AMA http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Thanks!

Kim

[ewatkins]

I made the black bean lasagne last week. It was ok, but not "lasagne" enough for me. It was just a Mexican filling stuck in noodles --I wanted that cheesy, saucy feel of lasagne. Maybe if I just renamed it "Mexican Casserole" I would like it better. The kids loved it.

[kwormann]

I bet it would be good with corn tortillas instead of lasagna noodles!

Kim

[LaraW]

Kwormann, one thing to keep in mind if you are making that Black Bean Lasagna is that it is relatively spicy. If she is nursing, you may want to back down on the jalapeno and salsa a bit.

[clairea]

Originally posted by LaraW:
Kwormann, one thing to keep in mind if you are making that Black Bean Lasagna is that it is relatively spicy. If she is nursing, you may want to back down on the jalapeno and salsa a bit.

Also, you might want to check and be sure she can eat beans if she is nursing (if you haven't already). Sometimes foods like that can give nursing infants really bad gas.


[This message has been edited by clairea (edited 05-14-2001).]

[BlueMoose]

What a nice thing to do for a new mom! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Chef Cindy]

Kim you are so thoughtful for doing this for your friends. I have a recipe that sounds like what you are looking for. It is very easy to throw together and can be made a day ahead (I think it tastes better made ahead). When putting it together it will look like a mess, but don't worry it all works out. I like to spice it up a bit. You might want to check with Mom to see if that is a good idea.
Here it is...

Easy Black Bean Lasagna
1 15-oz can black beans drained and rinsed
1 28-oz can tomatoes crushed undrained
3/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green pepper (sometimes I use green chiles)
1/2 cup of chunky salsa (homemade or bottled)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 cup light ricotta cheese
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
10 uncooked lasagna noodles
6oz. (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar (sometimes I use sharp cheddar and decrease quantity)

Heat oven to 350*F. Spray a 13x9 in. baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, mash beans slightly. Stir in tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, salsa, chili powder, and cumin; mix well.
In another bowl combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder, and egg; blend well.
Spread 1 cup of the tomato mixture over the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the noodles, overlapping slightly. Top with half of the remaining tomato mixture. Spoon ricotta mixture over top; spread carefully. Top with half the cheese, then the remaining noodles, tomato mixture, and cheese. Cover tightly with spray coated foil.
Bake at 350* F. for 40 to 60 mins. or until noodles are tender. Uncover; let stand for 15 mins. before serving.
Serves 10.