Italian Fresh Tuna Strata

This strata uses lasagna noodles and tuna. Other layers contain cheese, olives, capers, spinach and basil, and marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh tuna steak
• 4 TB olive oil, divided
• 2 TB fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
• 2 TB Italian herb blend (such as McCormick's brand)
• 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
• 26-ounces marinara sauce, store-bought or home-made
• 1/2 cup chopped mixed black and green olives
• 1/2 cup capers
• 1 1/2 cups packed fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• Garnish: Italian parsley
• Optional garnish: 2 tablespoons caviar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook the lasagna noodles per package instructions, rinse with cold water and set aside. Slice the tuna steak horizontally into 1/4-inch thick slices and toss with a mixture of 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, lemon juice and the crushed red pepper. In a bowl combine ricotta, sour cream and Italian herb blend. To assemble strata: Spread 2 Tbsp olive oil over bottom of a 9x13-inch lasagna dish or pan. Spread 1/3 of the marinara sauce over pan bottom. Lay 3 cooked noodles in lasagna pan, without overlapping. Dot 1/3 of ricotta mixture evenly on next, followed by 1/3 of the shredded cheese, then 1/2 of the seasoned tuna, all of the olives and capers and 1/3 of the marinara sauce. Lay another layer of noodles on next, followed by 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, 1/3 of the shredded cheese, the remainder of the tuna, all the spinach and basil leaves, and the remainder of the marinara sauce. Finish the strata with a noodle layer, and the remaining ricotta mixture and finally the remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes covered. Remove cover, sprinkle with pine nuts and bake about 10 more minutes, being sure tuna is done. Let strata rest for 7 minutes. Cut and garnish with lemon slices and caviar, if desired.

Number of Servings: 6

Notes from the Cook: This is a beautiful and delicious dish I invented to liven up the same old lasagna. Our family loves it! You can really fancy it up with a sprinkle of caviar and fresh lemon slices as the garnish!