après ski

February 08 2010 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Uncategorized » 26 comments

Before a ski trip in Utah a couple weekends ago, it had been a while since I’d hit the slopes. A couple years, even. During my extended off-season, it seems I’d forgotten several things. For one, ouch. My muscles and joints still hurt. Also, between renting the equipment and packing the gear and buying the lift tickets and lugging around the unwieldy skis and boots, skiing is a lot of work. A lot. And, speaking of the gear and equipment, I’d forgotten that you look absolutely ridiculous while doing it, especially when said gear and equipment date back to the late (okay, fine, early- to mid-) nineties. Too-small goggles in a ravishing shade of neon pink, a puffy parka in a garish color, a helmet that morphs you into a life-sized bobblehead, and pants that swish-swish-swish at even the slightest movement all combine to create quite a look. Let’s not mince words: a ski bunny I am not.

But, you know what else I forgot?

It’s all completely worth it. Because skiing happens in the mountains (at least it does if you’re not skiing in much of the midwest), which afford sweeping, breathtaking vistas, clear (if less oxygenated) air, tall trees and big sky. It’s also an activity best done in large, rowdy groups, as it was on this trip to Utah, the group comprised of college friends and the mates they’ve picked up along the way (all of whom, for the record, are sufficiently rowdy). Also, there are hot chocolate breaks in chalets and Snickers bars zipped into parka pockets for emergency chair lift snacking. There is lunch at the lodge, a bowl of turkey chili crowned with a healthy plop of sour cream. A day skiing has you outside for hours and hours during a time of year that is better known for hunkering down inside by the fire. It’s exhilerating and leaves you feeling pleasantly exhausted, cheeks reddened by the wind and eyes twinkling from the fresh air, at the end of the day.

And about the end of the day: well, it’s my favorite part. Cap the day off with an après-ski drink (I’ll have a Bailey’s and coffee) or a dip in the hot tub (in which case I’ll change my order to a well-chilled bottle of beer), grab a shower, and don your coziest sweater. Then it’s time to really get down to business.

That’s right: dinner. It must be hearty and substantial; after all, you’ll have earned it. It should be warm, too, and, with any luck, it won’t be overly fussy and will lend itself to a team effort in the kitchen. The answer, my friends, is this lasagna.

It’s a pretty classic version of the dish—dried pasta sheets stacked up like bricks, bound by alteranating layers of delicious mortar: a slather of doctored-up ricotta and goat cheese, slices of mozzarella and a turkey-sausage-studded tomato sauce. The whole thing goes into a hot oven, where the pasta softens up, the sauce sets to bubbling, the ricotta becomes silken, and the mozzarella goes melty-and-stringy. Alongside a big salad and plenty of red wine, this meal is one aspect of our ski weekend that I won’t forget anytime soon—despite another extended off-season.

More photos from the weekend in Park City are here.

Turkey Lasagna
Ina Garten

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound lasagna noodles

15 ounces ricotta cheese

3 to 4 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled

1 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling

1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a large (10 to 12-inch) skillet. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the sausage and cook over medium-low heat, breaking it up with a fork, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.

Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with the hottest tap water. Add the noodles and allow them to sit in the water for 20 minutes. Drain.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, the egg, the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

Ladle 1/3 of the sauce into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch rectangular baking dish, spreading the sauce over the bottom of the dish. Then add the layers as follows: half the pasta, half the mozzarella, half the ricotta, and one 1/3 of the sauce. Add the rest of the pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, and finally, sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling.

26 comments so far. »
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The Duo Dishes says on February 08 2010 at 1:07 pm:

Hard work deserves a good meal. After all the snow, cold and fun, lasagna works.
carolyn says on February 08 2010 at 1:09 pm:

This is our all time favorite lasagna recipe. Leave it to Ina to add goat cheese and fresh mozzarella. It’s fantastic!
Shannalee says on February 08 2010 at 1:26 pm:

Yay, I was looking forward to a post about your ski trip! It makes me laugh to read about a fellow not-regularly-skiing person go skiing because trust me, I would have given your puffy parka a run for its money. Pretty sure the only time I’ve gone skiing was junior high, and I never made it off the bunny hill. But anywayyy…. the lasagna looks warm and comforting, a perfect recipe for a post about a snow trip. Glad you guys had fun and glad you had this to enjoy after.
Whitney says on February 08 2010 at 1:35 pm:

I love this recipe as well!

I haven’t been skiing since HS (so sad!) but I love going to Breckenridge. I think the best part is getting in a hot tub, when the snow is falling into the tub.

Magical.
andie says on February 08 2010 at 1:44 pm:

Last year, around this time, my hubby and I went to Utah to ski. We spent a day in park city sightseeing – loved it. it’s so beautiful up there!
Tracey says on February 08 2010 at 2:25 pm:

Gorgeous photos Kristin! I’ve only been skiing a few times and not only do I not look the part, but I’m not any good.

We love lasagna but I’ve never tried Ina’s recipe. It looks great – perfect for the end of a long day spent out in the crisp air!
Hannah says on February 08 2010 at 4:00 pm:

Oooh that lasagna looks amazing, and with red wine too, delicious. Your photos are wonderful. I can’t wait for the ski season here in New Zealand, still a few months away though.
Danielle says on February 08 2010 at 5:39 pm:

Heavenly! Though I’m from the South (West Tennessee), snow-skiing is by far one of my favorite winter-time activities. Your photos took me back to some really special memories – and that lasagna looks fantastic! Going on the menu for next week.
Emily says on February 08 2010 at 7:12 pm:

LOVE the photos and the lasagna!!
Sues says on February 08 2010 at 9:28 pm:

I’ve always loved the idea of going skiing. But mostly just for the cozy lodge, warm drinks, hot tub dips, and nice scenery.

Sounds like you found the perfect balance… And I love your photos
amylouwho says on February 08 2010 at 10:48 pm:

snowboarding on the weekends was the only thing that kept me sane while enduring the Utah winters – for just the reason you said – being outside!

This lasagne looks divine.
Liren says on February 08 2010 at 11:14 pm:

Hi there! I’m a new-ish reader and I’m having such a fun time on your blog. My husband and I met in Chicago, so I have an affinity for your part of the world.

And this post on skiing and apres-ski food…we’ve returned to skiing after a long hiatus, this time with children, but each time we take a trip up to Tahoe, we learn something new to make the next trip even better. Especially when it comes to the right foods to pack and eat! Glad you had fun in Utah!
Jennifer says on February 08 2010 at 11:23 pm:

That lasagna is one of our favorites. Glad you enjoyed your trip to Utah. Our snow is great!
Rebecca says on February 09 2010 at 8:32 am:

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I am loving your turkey lasagna! Great idea for a cold day.
Barbara says on February 09 2010 at 10:28 am:

It’s been a while since I’ve been skiing. Must admit I don’t miss the ski part, but do miss the apres part!
Loved sitting around the fire getting cozy and warm with a hot drink. Your turkey lasagne would be just right to fill a cold tummy and aching muscles!
Margaret Holt says on February 09 2010 at 1:05 pm:

My mom and Jim loved all the pics from Utah! And I can attest to the deliciousness of the lasagna!
Jennifer says on February 09 2010 at 1:32 pm:

GORGEOUS photos! I love skiing in Utah! that is one fine looking lasagna
Betsy says on February 09 2010 at 7:17 pm:

Sounds like you were in style on the slopes – the early 90’s are back on the slopes too! This dish looks great!
Devon says on February 09 2010 at 7:56 pm:

This weekend I am going on my first ski trips after a two-year hiatus. I HEAR YOU. My goofy, mismatched gear is piled high and your lasagna looks like a reward worth copying.
Vanessa says on February 09 2010 at 8:04 pm:

I am going to HAVE to make this during the weekend as a cold spell has take us over and this warms me just looking at it.
Lisa (AuthenticSuburbanGourmet) says on February 09 2010 at 9:41 pm:

A healthier lasagna and great for these cold winter nights. Great photos!!!
hannah says on February 09 2010 at 9:57 pm:

That’s a mighty fine looking lasagna you’ve got there!
Monika says on February 10 2010 at 9:25 am:

Oh skiing. I was traumatized cross-country skiing on a school trip once and never went again. I’d somehow ended up on the advanced trail. I couldn’t control my speed (or stop!) and managed to glide right over top of the skis of the person in front of me and flop over his back. Mortifying.

I will, however, attempt this lasagna in the hopes of erasing that memory…
Kasey says on February 13 2010 at 6:17 pm:

Reading this post made me really want to go skiing (even though I just went to Lake Tahoe a few weeks ago). I know that feeling exactly–of feeling like you could dig into a massive plate loaded with warm, rich carbs–and feel totally deserving of it
Danielle says on February 14 2010 at 10:07 am:

Gorgeous looking lasagna! Going to have to try it out!
RonnisSweetTooth says on February 16 2010 at 3:30 pm:

This lasagna is really good. I made it this past weekend. I followed Ina’s recipe instead of your recipe. Next time, I’ll follow your recipe. 1 pound of lasagna noodles (Ina) is too much. I ended up throwing half of them away because after soaking them and not using them, they were useless. Also, 20 minutes (Ina) isn’t enough baking time. Those extra 10 minutes are very helpful. One last thing I’ll do is use 1/2 pound of mozzarella instead of a full pound. I love cheese, and usually believe there’s no such thing as too much, but I felt like it could have used a tad bit less.
All that said, this really is an incredibly easy and delicious recipe that I will make again and again.