One major reason I’ve been trying to complete my blog is so that I could get into the Daring Bakers.  About six months ago, I was perusing foodgawker for recipes and noticed a lot of pictures for a specific recipe.  I was compelled by the concept, creativity and the community aspect.  This was definitely something I wanted to be involved in and set to work to finish my site.

This was my first Daring Bakers challenge and it was a doozy.

I’ll admit that I was a little disappointed with a “lasagne” challenge.  I’ve made lasagne before and when people tell you it’s the best they’ve had you figure what more do you need to learn?  Not to mention that my sweet tooth was aching for a challenge that was more in the ‘dessert’ category.  However, without a doubt, this recipe was definitely a challenge and forced me to learn a lot.  Grind your own meat?  Make your own pasta noodles?  Find meats that only Giada De Laurentiis talk about in that sassy Italian accent?

The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and Caviar, Melinda of Melbourne Larder and Enza of Io Da Grande. They have chosen Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna from The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Kasper as the challenge.

It took two days to make this lasagna. Two days. I now have so much respect for little old Italian grandmothers that still cook this way.  However, I don’t think I ever want to make my own lasagna noodles again.  I’ve never been more frustrated, confused, and frazzled in the kitchen as I was today.  At least not since I made a cake with fondant and that was a tag-team effort.

Imagine strips of wet dough slowly sticking to each other on an undersized counter.  Imagine every piece of counter space being used for this recipe. Imagine three burners going on the stove.   Over here is a sauce with five meats and took three hours to make.  Over there is a sauce I’ve never heard of that’s burning and requires constant stirring.  Boil, stir, cool, dry, assemble, grate, stir, lower temperature, raise temperature, burn your hand, ugh!  Imagine it!

Take a look at the entire recipe and then you can probably figure out why I don’t have any pictures of the actual process.  There wasn’t a moment to spare.  I will admit that despite all the hard work the lasagna was very good.  We nearly ate the whole tray.  I was also able to get a picture of the completed dish just as the sun was setting.

It was great getting so many new experiences in the kitchen.  I’m a total convert now with fresh ground meat (I sure do love my Kitchenaid).  I’m looking forward to the next Daring Bakers challenge.