Asparagus & Mushroom Kugel

Hello again to Presto Pasta Nights, this week at Daily Unadventures in Cooking. Here's a dish that's just a wee bit time-consuming, but actually very easy to put together. A bit like lasagne really, but with no tomato sauce and also no fiddling with layers. Like lasagne, pair it with a crisp green salad and dinner is ready.

4 to 6 servings
1 hour 30 minutes - 45 minutes prep time


300 grams (2/3 pound) egg noodles
450 grams (1 pound) asparagus

1 large onion
5-6 garlic scapes or other onion greens
300 grams (2/3 pound) button mushrooms
2 tablespoons sunflower seed oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon rubbed thyme
500 grams ricotta cheese
5 extra-large eggs
1 cup finely grated Parmesan, old Cheddar, or a mix

Put a large pot of salted water on to boil. When it boils, add the noodles and cook them until 3/4 cooked. Three minutes before they are to be drained, add the asparagus, cleaned and cut in bite-sized pieces. Drain the pasta and aspargus; if you are not ready to proceed with mixing them with the other ingredients, rinse them in cold water until cool.

Meanwhile, peel and chop the onion, and mince the garlic scapes or other onion greens. Clean and slice the mushrooms.

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Sauté the onions in the oil until just softened, then add the garlic scapes and continue cooking for a minute or two more. Add the mushroom slices, and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned. Add the salt, pepper and thyme.

Beat the ricotta cheese and eggs in a very large bowl. Add the sautéd vegetables, and mix in well. Add the drained noodles and asparagus, and mix in well. Spread the mixture in a large lasagne pan, and sprinkle over the grated cheese. You may wish to oil it first if it is not glass or otherwise non-stick. Bake the kugel for 40 to 45 minutes until lightly browned. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.





Last year at this time I made Roasted Beet & Asparagus Salad and Spinach Sautéed with Mushrooms & Green Onions.