A Simplified Lasagna Recipe by Julia Turshen

“Small Victories” is New York chef Julia Turshen’s first solo cookbook, but she’s coauthored some of my favorites including “It’s All Good” with Gwyneth Paltrow and “The Fat Radish Kitchen Diaries”, among many others.

I love her bold yet approachable recipes and her warm, funny tone in describing how to make them at home. This “Nice Lasagna” recipe, for example, might be made with homemade pasta but the ingredients are stripped down and simplified to keep the dish easy and elegant.

Julia skips common lasagna staples like ricotta, béchamel, and veggies, relying on an abundance of creamy sauce made with whole peeled tomatoes, garlic, and crème fraiche instead. It is truly delicious and while cheese is not normally part of my culinary routine, I’ve been reaching for this recipe over and over again since “Small Victories” came out in September. My husband, kids, and friends all love it. It’s one of those crowd-pleasers you can make ahead and know that you’ve got an ace in your pocket for a rainy-day lunch or casual dinner. XXJKE