Category Archives: VEGETARIAN RECIPES

EINKA FARRO WITH KALE AND SLIVERED ALMONDS

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I just get so excited when I follow, or as in this case adapt a recipe for a healthy dish and it turns out to be amazingly delicious. And this modified version of Stuart Dietz’s recipe for Einka farro is no exception.

Last evening Mr. C again brought me a package of meat from the freezer that desperately needed to be eaten. His latest effort to clean out the freezer resulted in a package of chicken sausages with spinach and feta cheese. So wondering what would go well with the sausages, I glanced in the pantry for inspiration. After a cursory review of what was available, my eyes lit on my new unopened package of Einka farro. I glanced at the package for recipes, but none were exactly what I was envisioning. So I went on line and found Mr. Dietz’s recipe for Einka Salad with Tuscan Kale & Butternut Squash.

This recipe immediately appealed because I had leftover butternut squash purée in the refrigerator and some kale that was almost as old as I am! I thought I would use the puréed squash as a bed for the farro. However, after tasting the farro, I decided the squash would be better on the side. The farro was delightful in its own right. All I thought it needed was a little crunch. So I quickly toasted some slivered almonds and added them along with the fresh parsley just before serving. The result was a wonderful and healthy new whole grain side dish.

I love it when the stars are in alignment and dishes work out as planned. Just don’t ask me about the other recipe I tried yesterday. It sounded good at the time, but the reality was less than stellar. I love maple flavored sausage links, but they are expensive and contain ingredients (corn syrup and MSG) that I am trying very hard to eliminate from our diet. So I thought I would try my hand at making a maple flavored breakfast sausage. Does the term “stinko” mean anything to you? But I’m not going to let one little defeat get the best of me. Don’t hold your breath, but I am going to continue working on this recipe, because I know I am not alone in my love of maple syrup sausage links. Wish me luck!

In the mean time, put maple flavored pork out of your mind and think healthy. Give this recipe a try!

  • 1 c. whole grain Einka farro* (I use Bluebird Grain Farms brand Organic Whole Grain Einka Farro)
  • 2½ c. water
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 c. ¼-inch sliced kale
  • 1 T. sherry vinegar
  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ c. minced shallot
  • 1½ tsp. finely chopped fresh sage
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 T. dry white wine
  • 1/3 c. toasted slivered almonds
  • 2 T. chopped Italian parsley

In a medium sized covered saucepan, add the farro, water, and ¼ teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer over moderate heat until farro is tender, about 25 minutes. When done, add the kale, cover and remove from heat; let stand until the kale is wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pour back into the pan. Add the vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the oil; season with salt and pepper and toss. Cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook over moderately high heat until shallot is translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sage and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer, stirring, until evaporated. Scrape the shallot and garlic into the pan with the farro and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning. When ready to serve, stir in the toasted almonds and parsley.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Serve warm or at room temperature.

*You can substitute Emmer Farro for Einka Farro. Use the following cooking instructions if you make the substitution:

Place the water, emmer farro, and a pinch of kosher salt in a covered pan. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 35 minutes or until berries are plump and chewy. When the farro is done, add the kale, cover and remove from heat; let stand until the kale is wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain well and pour back into the pan. Continue recipe as written above.

VEGETARIAN THREE BEAN CHILI

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In an effort to reduce the amount of meat, fat, and dairy products in our daily diet, while at the same time increasing the number of beans we consume, I decided to work up a vegetarian chili recipe.

I prepared this chili last night for dinner and both of us thought it was wonderful. The saucy part was very flavorful. The corn actually provided a bit of a crunch and the olives had enough of a different texture as to create a lovely mouth feel. (Not to mention a wonderful taste). Then of course the crisp and pungent bite from the red onion added just before serving – marvelous. And nary a morsel of meat, sprinkling of cheese, or dollop of sour cream to be seen or needed. This chili and a nice piece of cornbread (made with canola oil, not butter) and you have a lunch or dinner that anyone watching their cholesterol would be happy to eat on a regular basis. And did I mention it was really easy to prepare?

So give this recipe a try. Just don’t forget to stock up on “beano” when you purchase the ingredients for this dish. And if you don’t know what “beano” is, suffice it to say you have lived a charmed life!

  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 1 medium carrot, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28-oz.) chopped tomatoes (Italian preferably)
  • 1 can (6-oz.) tomato paste (again – Italian preferably)
  • 2 c. water
  • 1 T. Dijon mustard
  • 2-3 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • pinch ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 can (15-oz) cannellini, kidney, or chili beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15-oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15-oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15-oz) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1-2 cans black olives, drained and halved (I use about a can and a half and munch on the rest later)
  • chopped red onion, opt.

Heat olive oil in a large covered soup pot. Add the carrot, onion, and celery and sauté until the onion is transparent. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, water, mustard, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cloves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir periodically. Add the beans, corn, and olives and simmer covered for another 30 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Serve garnished with chopped red onion.

SAVORY GERMAN BREAD PUDDING WITH MUSHROOMS

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This is the second savory bread pudding I have posted to my blog. They are basically very similar. The recipe entitled Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding however has more of an Italian bent to it. For example, Parmesan cheese is one of the ingredients.

This recipe is much more consistent with a dish that would be served in Germany. Both savory puddings are delicious and a wonderful addition to any meal where the starch needs to be a key player but not become a participant in a “who’s the star” battle with the meat. (I hate it when food starts fighting right on my dinner plate.)

This dish can also be served as a vegetarian main dish. The mushrooms provide that toothsome mouth feel that is so necessary to a good vegetarian entrée.

So by all means, give this bread pudding a try. The sourdough bread gives the pudding a special tang, and the truffle oil – OMG, it really puts the mushroom flavor over the top. And as you can see, you only need 1 teaspoon of truffle oil to enhance the entire dish. But please do not be tempted to add more because of the old theory that if some is good, more is better. (I have never been an advocate of that practice.) Truffle oil is very potent stuff. It must be treated carefully and with great respect. (Think approaching a yellow jacket’s nest without appropriate head gear!) Or if you need a cooking analogy, using too much thyme. Not a good thing even though thyme is a lovely herb and used in many wonderful recipes.

And I know some culinary arts experts are saying that truffle oil is passé. Or if it simply must be used, it should only be used as a drizzle. Well to these experts I say – fooey! In my opinion you can take many dishes to a new level of deliciousness with the judicious use of a drop or two of this amazing ingredient.

Wonderful drizzled over scrambled eggs, in vinaigrettes, almost any dish with mushrooms, and the most decadent use of all – over popcorn along with a little salt.

So if you don’t already own a bottle of truffle oil, don’t hesitate to get yourself a bottle at your earliest convenience. In my opinion, white truffle oil is great as an ingredient or a drizzle. I tend to use black truffle oil only as a finishing oil, in much the same way I might garnish a dish with a light sprinkling of Fleur de Sel.

  • 1 c. very hot water
  • ¼ c. chopped dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 T. butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 lb. coarsely chopped mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button)
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt, div.
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 c. milk
  • 1 c. whipping cream
  • 3 large eggs, room temp.
  • 1 tsp. white truffle oil (Trader Joe’s carries truffle oil certain times of the year or you can purchase on line)
  • ¼ tsp. dried thyme
  • 2 T. chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 c. packed cubed sourdough bread (1 or 2 day old bread is best for this recipe)

Place hot water and dried shiitake mushrooms in a small bowl. Set aside. Melt butter in a medium sized frying pan. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add the garlic and ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper; cook for one minute. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwhile combine milk, cream, eggs, truffle oil, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley in a large bowl. Gently fold in bread cubes and set aside. Scoop the reserved mushroom mixture into the bowl with the bread cubes. Drain the re-hydrated shiitake mushrooms and add to the mixture. Stir gently and pour mixture into a lightly buttered pan. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator until about 30 minutes before baking.

 

 

 

 

EGGPLANT, ZUCCHINI, AND TOMATO CASSEROLE (RATATOUILLE) – PROVENÇAL STYLE

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Since this is the time of year when zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes are in every farmer’s market or home garden in America, I decided to post an absolutely delicious way to serve these delightful vegetables. (And I know what you are thinking. Not another zucchini recipe. But if I may speak frankly, this is not just another zucchini recipe. This is a killer way to use zucchini if I say so myself!)

This dish came about because I started re-reading (for the third time, I think) Peter Mayle’s wonderful tale about the joys of living in Provence entitled “A Year in Provence”. For a foodie like myself, half the reading pleasure in this book is in the telling of the food they eat. So that got me researching recipes from the south of France. When I saw a variation of this dish using zucchini (I had 2 large zucchini in my refrigerator) and tomatoes (I had lots of cherry tomatoes from our garden), I decided I just had to work up a recipe that incorporated these two ingredients. And this recipe is the result.

This dish can be served as a meatless main course or as a side dish that compliments just about any meat you feel like serving. And it is easy to prepare. It takes a little time to cut up the veggies, but once you have the knife work done, the assembly goes rather quickly. I served it last evening with just a salad and it made for a perfect meal.

So if you too are looking for a way to say yes to your neighbor who keeps offering you zucchini, or if you yourself have zucchini threatening to take over your yard, give this recipe a try. Believe it or not, your love for this ever so easy to grow and abundant veggie will be restored with just one bite! In fact, you may never again have to turn down a free zucchini when a neighbor makes you an offer. And won’t that feel good. It’s the neighborly thing to do after all.

  • 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. dried marjoram
  • ½ c. dry white wine (I use Pinot Grigio)
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced lengthwise ¼-inch thick (combination is nice)
  • 1 medium sized eggplant, partially peeled and sliced lengthwise ¼-inch thick
  • 1 basket of cherry tomatoes, halved or 2 large beefsteak tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick
  • 2 T. chopped parsley
  • 3/4 c. finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (combination is wonderful)

Heat the oil in a skillet to medium-high. Add the onion and sauté until transparent. Stir in the garlic and marjoram and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook until the liquid evaporates. Season with salt and pepper; remove from the heat.

Oil a 9-by-13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish. Arrange half of the zucchini on the bottom of the dish (single layer if possible but a little overlap is fine), drizzle with oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Scatter half of the onion mixture on top, followed by half of the eggplant. Drizzle the eggplant with oil, season lightly with salt and pepper and sprinkle with half of the parsley. Arrange half of the tomatoes cut side down over the zucchini. Repeat the layering finishing with a drizzle of oil and a light seasoning of salt and pepper.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Bake the vegetables uncovered in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 70-75 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and continue baking until the edges are browned, the vegetables are very tender, and the cheese is melting and starting to brown, about 10 minutes more. Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

EMMER FARRO CAPRESE SALAD

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

As I wrote in my preface for my blog on Split Emmer Farro and Wild Rice with Mushrooms and Pecans, “Emmer (farro) has been cultivated in the Fertile Crescent (the region in the Middle East which curves like a quarter-moon shape, from the Persian Gulf, through modern-day southern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and northern Egypt) and in Italy for over 10,000 years. Farro, which is just the Italian name for emmer wheat, has a delicate roasted nutty flavor and a distinctive chewy texture. It has a higher fiber and protein content than common wheat, is rich in magnesium, niacin, zinc, and B vitamins, and holds the distinct honor of containing the lowest glycemic index of all cereal grains.”

And in addition to all the nutritional attributes mentioned above, this ancient grain just happens to be extremely delicious. I mean really, is there anything else you could ask of a simple grain? Both good for you and extremely palatable. I think not!

And this recipe, straight off the emmer farro package (with a little re-working of the preparation instructions on my part) is just a wonderful example of how tasty and versatile this grain can be. It just takes a little re-thinking of your use of grains to make room for this ingredient in your diet.

I know there for awhile, most of us were hesitant to include grains in our diet because they were in the dreaded “carbohydrate” category. But as we have all read, there are carbohydrates that are better for us than others. And emmer farro is one of them.

According to Jane Lear from the takepart website, “As far as complex carbohydrates go, farro is rich in the cyanogenic glucosides that stimulate the immune system, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol. Although it isn’t a complete source of protein, like quinoa*, farro contains more than, say, brown rice, and it also contains lignans that give it antioxidant properties. In general, whole grains take longer to digest, so they keep you feeling full longer and provide sustained energy. They’re also thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.” And as for me, even though I am not a rocket scientist or a learned nutritionist, I somehow know instinctively that farro is much better for me than the refined and processed carbohydrates found in high fructose corn syrup or white bread!

So do yourself and your family a favor. Buy some emmer farro, prepare this recipe, and stand back and wait for the compliments. This salad is like the essence of summer in a bowl.

*for a wonderful taste treat featuring quinoa, try my Lemony Quinoa with Fresh Herbs

  • 5 c. water
  • 1 c. emmer farro (I use Bluebird Grain Farms*)
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 T. balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ c. finely chopped shallot or onion
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • a touch of freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I like to use heirloom tomatoes in 2 different colors)
  • ¼ c. loosely packed chopped fresh basil (not too much or the basil flavor will overwhelm the other ingredients)
  • 4-oz. finely diced mozzarella cheese, either fresh or regular

Place the water, emmer farro, and a pinch of kosher salt in a covered pan. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until berries are plump and chewy. Meanwhile, combine the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, sea salt, and pepper in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. Combine the tomatoes, basil, and cheese and set aside. When the farro is done, drain off excess liquid and pour into bowl with olive oil dressing. Stir to combine and let sit for about 30 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, and cheese; stir and adjust seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This salad is best prepared just before serving. Leftovers are still tasty the next day, but the tomatoes break down and the general mouth feel is not as appealing.

*For information about retail locations in your area, visit www.bluebirdgrainfarms.com

 

 

COLD TOMATO BASIL SOUP

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

When I first saw this recipe in a recent issue of Cooking Light, I thought immediately that this was a winner. And then when I tasted it, I knew for sure. It is light and creamy and very, very tasty, especially when it is garnished with a small plop of Greek yogurt to provide that perfect bit of tang. Yum!

And this is the time of year for cold soup. Not only does it beat the heck out of standing over a hot stove, but the vegetative ingredients are at their prime and as inexpensive as they are going to get for the entire year. A winning combination if I ever heard one!

So do yourself and your family a favor. Serve this some hot evening along with a big old plate of cold cuts, a hunk or two of really good cheese, a loaf of rustic bread, a couple jars of hearty mustard, a bowl of mixed olives, some chunks of fresh fruit, and a glass of your favorite wine or beer, and you have a summertime meal fit for a king. Thank you Cooking Light for another wonderful and healthy recipe.

  • ¾ c. buttermilk
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 T. fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 ripe fresh from the vine or vine ripened tomatoes, cored and quartered
  • ¼ c. coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves, plus additional small leaves for garnish
  • 2 green onions, rough chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • plain Greek yogurt, opt.

Whirl the buttermilk, sugar, salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, tomatoes, basil, green onions, and garlic in a blender* until smooth. Adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with yogurt and basil leaves.

FYI: Although most of us have relegated our blenders to the back of our pantry or to the garage, bring that old standby back into your life. Food processors simply do not do as good a job at pureeing food.

 

COLD TOMATILLO AND AVOCADO SOUP

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

For our summer BlueStreet Jazz Voices potluck dinner party, one of our wonderful first sopranos brought this delightful cold soup. Deb served the soup in very pretty and very tiny little dishes. Each was garnished with a cilantro leaf. Each little bowl only provided about 6 small spoonfuls of this glorious concoction, which of course left us wanting more. But with all the other food available, the amount she served was just right. Plus, the soup is quite rich, so a small amount was absolutely perfect. So of course being the foodie that I am, I immediately asked for the recipe. I was astounded when she told me the soup contained only 4 ingredients plus salt, if required. What’s not to like about that?

So being the sweetie that she is, she sent me the recipe. Now you know me. I never leave well enough alone. I decided to try my hand at making the soup from scratch, rather than use store bought Salsa Verde. (I have since laid in a supply of Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde for those occasions when I need a tomatillo and avocado soup fix right now!) But for many, like myself, there are no Trader Joe’s in the immediate vicinity. And the green salsas I can find in my local grocery store, at least the ones that look like they are half decent, are all quite pricey. ($6.95 for 20 ounces; I think not!)

So I am going to provide you with both Deb’s recipe and my recipe for this amazing soup. Both are delicious. Both are fairly economical and healthy, and both are perfect to serve as a first course on a warm summer evening.

Thanks again Deb for this great recipe.

Recipe number 1:  

  • 3 small ripe avocados diced, about 2½ cups
  • 1½ c. Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde* or salsa Verde of choice
  • heaping ¼ c. chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • heaping ¼ c. sour cream
  • kosher salt, if required

In blender, puree all. Thin with water if desired; season. Chill until cold. Serve in small bowls garnished with cilantro.

*FYI: Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde is about $2 a jar. Worth every penny!

Recipe number 2:

  • ½ small jalapeno pepper, seeds and stem removed
  • 4 large or 5 small tomatillos, cores removed
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper (not too much)
  • ½ c. loosely packed rough chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 green onion, rough chopped
  • 1 very small garlic clove
  • 3 small ripe avocados, cut into large chunks
  • heaping ¼ c. sour cream (I use Crema Mexicana – Mexican style sour cream)

Place the jalapeno pepper and tomatillos in a shallow roasting pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes or until veggies start to soften. Remove veggies from oven; cool.  Whirl in a blender or food processor with salt, pepper, cilantro, green onion, garlic, avocados, and sour cream. If the soup is too thick, add a small amount of water. Adjust seasoning. Chill until cold. Serve in small bowls garnished with cilantro.

PANZANELLA SALAD (TUSCAN BREAD SALAD)

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Over the years I’ve tasted several Panzanella salads. Some featured pine nuts, some didn’t taste like any anchovy paste was used, some used green olives rather than kalamata olives, while others contained Mozzarella cheese. But the one thing they all had in common was toasted bread, fresh tomatoes, and assorted garden veggies.

And when it comes right down to it, there isn’t one that I wouldn’t enjoy eating again. I mean really, how can any salad containing toasted bread, olive oil, olives, capers, and fresh vegetables not be delightful? And the most appealing aspect of this salad, beside the taste of course; the contents can vary depending on whatever veggies, olives, etc. you happen to have on hand.  This is Italian peasant food folks. Panzanella is not a rigid recipe that must be followed to the tee. It’s more like a rough guideline that can be different each time it’s prepared.

Panzanella evolved into the most commonly eaten summertime dish in Tuscany because every Tuscan housewife from the inventors in the 16th century through Tuscan cooks today have stale bread on hand at one time or another. And, like cooks everywhere, veggies that need to be eaten now! And olive oil, olives, capers, and good red wine vinegar in the pantry. Hence Panzanella seems to have almost invented itself. And thank heavens for that! There is probably no better dish to fix for family and friends on a hot summer evening. The dressing has such bold flavors that even bland flavored toasted bread comes alive when dressed with the tangy olive oil and vinegar emulsion. Add the crispness of the peppers, the saltiness of the kalamata olives, the bite from the red onion, the subtle peppery flavor from fresh basil, and you have a salad literally bursting with flavor. And nary a morsel of meat to be found!

So next time you need a salad that can be served as either a side or as a main dish, give Panzanella a try. And if you don’t happen to have both red and yellow peppers on hand, no big deal. Use what you have. Have tomatoes coming out of your ears? Add more than suggested below. Be creative. Remember, it’s a rustic salad and not meant to be exactly the same each time it’s served. Enjoy!

  • 2 T. capers, drained and roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tsp. anchovy paste
  • ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ c. vegetable stock
  • ¼ c. red wine vinegar
  • ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large, ripe tomatoes seeded and diced
  • 1 English cucumber partially peeled, seeded, and diced
  • ½ red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 6 c. rustic bread cubes, toasted
  • 1/3 c. halved pitted kalamata olives
  • 1/3-1/2 c. fresh basil chiffonade

Whisk together the capers, garlic, anchovy paste, mustard, pepper, salt, stock, vinegar, and olive oil. Set aside. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, peppers, bread cubes, olives, and basil. Pour the dressing over all and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

 

VEGETABLE LASAGNA

Leave a reply

OK, so if you’re striving to be good like Mr. C. and I are; trying to cut down on the amount of meat in your diet, and increase the number of veggies, this is the dish for you. There is simply no way you, your family or your friends will feel even the least bit cheated when you dive into a big old portion of my dear friend Sandy’s lasagna. (Some people still have the mistaken belief that if an entrée doesn’t contain meat, it isn’t going to satisfy their appetite. “What fools those mortals be!” (Sorry William for misquoting you, but it was necessary to get my point across!)

This lasagna is so full of flavor and that lovely “pasta dressed in yummy” feel, that no one will even notice that it is “meatless”. (And no, you don’t have to announce that there is no meat in this lasagna. Let it just be your little secret.) Serve it with a lovely salad and hot, crusty bread, and although the earth probably won’t stop spinning, your world might take on a new dimension of happiness.

It’s confession time. When Sandy served this to us one evening after one of their in-home concerts*, I made a complete fool of myself. I simply could not get enough of this lasagna. But Sandy and her husband Alan are good friends, so I’m counting on the fact that by now they have forgiven me for making such a piglet of myself. I just really did not want to stop eating. But thank heaven, they live in Chimacum, and the ferry from Port Townsend that we were scheduled to be on, was fast approaching the dock. So in order not to spend the rest of the night in our car on the ferry waiting line, I had to say goodbye to the lasagna before I literally dove head first into the pan. But Sandy, being the doll that she is, sent me the recipe. She even gave me permission to share it with you. (How cool is that?)

So dear friends, enjoy this amazing recipe. It is just plain over the top delicious! And Sandy, once again, thank you for this marvelous recipe.

*For information about in-home classical concerts in the Port Townsend vicinity visit www.rawsonduo.com.

  • 2-4 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large eggplant, partially peeled, sliced 1/4-inch
  • 1 red pepper, rough chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, rough chopped
  • 10-12 good sized mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced
  • 1 lg. onion, chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 T. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped
  • ¼ c. chopped fresh basil
  • ¼ c. dry white wine
  • 9-oz. oven-ready lasagna noodles (I like Culinary Circle Authentic Bronze-cut Oven-Ready Lasagna noodles
  • 4-oz. goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 c. combination of grated Parmesan, cheddar, Mozzarella – whatever is on hand

Sauté eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, onion and garlic in olive oil until soft – each type of vegetable separately – adding salt and pepper to each new veggie.  As each veggie finishes cooking, remove to a bowl and start the next veggie. Then, in the same pan, after all the veggies have been sautéed, add the crushed tomato, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and wine.  Add the reserved veggies. Mix all together, layer with no-boil lasagna noodles, with a layer of goat cheese in between, and top with whatever cheese is in the fridge. Sandy lets the olive oil and veggies speak for themselves.

Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbly and the top is a nice golden brown. Allow to sit a few minutes before serving.

ROASTED VEGGIE LASAGNA WITH CHEESE BÉCHAMEL SAUCE

Leave a reply

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I have wanted to work up a “white” veggie lasagna recipe for several years now, but somehow I never seemed to get around to it. So when Mr. C. casually mentioned one evening that he was hungry for lasagna, I took his words to heart and decided to serve 2 types of lasagna at our upcoming JazzVox concert. (Kills 2 birds with one stone; Mr. C gets his lasagna fix and I have a food theme for the next concert.) And because I know not everyone eats meat, I usually try to serve 2 main dishes, one with meat, one without. And because I knew that the lasagna with meat was going to have a tomato base, I decided now was the time to work up a “white” veggie lasagna recipe. Thus the recipe you see before you.

And since I know you’re interested, the whole “veggie lasagna” idea stemmed from a wonderful meal we enjoyed at the home of our good friends Alan and Sandy. Sandy and Alan host classical concerts in their home in Chimacum, WA. With Alan on violin and Sandy on piano, they offer amazing concerts specializing in Romantic and early twentieth-century works. For information about upcoming concerts visit them at www.rawsonduo.com.  So, whenever we have the time, we attend our friend’s concerts in Chimacum. The music is always wonderful, but there’s another reason we try and visit our friends as much as possible. Along with being a fabulous musician, Sandy is a trained chef. So not only do we have the pleasure of listening to our friends perform, we get to eat the nibbles that Sandy prepares for after the concert. Then, to really seal the deal, we stay and have dinner and hopefully help decompress the worn out performers. (Wine is usually a big part of the decompression process!)

So one of the evenings after everyone else had left, Sandy served us an amazing veggie lasagna. (I would have prepared her recipe for the concert, but it has a tomato base.) Her veggie lasagna was just so wonderful, and after much praise, she shared with me the secret of great veggie lasagna. “It’s all about the veggies!” Such a simple concept, but it really started me thinking not only about veggie lasagna, but every dish that I prepare. So, while I was concocting this recipe for “white” lasagna, I took Sandy’s words to heart. I tried to make sure that every ingredient in the béchamel sauce had but one mission to perform. And that was to compliment the wonderful flavor of the roasted vegetables.

So dear friends, I hope you enjoy the recipe. And since I know that many of you would also like to have Sandy’s Veggie Lasagna recipe, I will be sharing her recipe, along with my Lasagna Bolognese recipe with you in the near future.

  • 1 medium eggplant, partially peeled, sliced and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 red onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 small zucchini, cut lengthwise and then into 1/3-inch half moons
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow pepper, diced
  • 10-12 crimini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • ¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 T. butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • ½ c. flour
  • 6 c. milk (whole milk is best)
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly grated or ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. white pepper or black pepper to taste (white pepper actually has a sharper flavor than black)
  • 2 c. loosely packed fresh baby spinach chiffonade* (see below to learn how to chiffonade)
  • ½ c. fresh basil chiffonade*
  • 1 lb. lasagna noodles** (I like Culinary Circle Authentic Bronze-cut Lasagna noodles)
  • 2 c. grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
  • 1½ c. grated mozzarella cheese
  • ½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Place the eggplant, onion, zucchini, red pepper, yellow pepper, and mushrooms on a large low sided baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, toss the vegetables together until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. (The picture shows veggies for a double recipe.)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Place in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and browned. (Turn a couple of times during the baking process to ensure even browning.)  Remove from oven. Set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute of until the garlic gives off its aroma. Whisk in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes or until the roux starts to turn a delicate golden brown. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a slow boil, stirring the entire time. Boil for one minute as the sauce continues to thicken. Remove from heat and whisk in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Set aside. (Reserve 1 cup of the béchamel sauce. This will be spread on the lasagna half way through the baking process.)

Before cooking the noodles, have all the other ingredients prepped and ready to go. Cook the noodles in boiling salted water until al dente (firm to the bite). Remove pan from heat. Don’t drain. Leave the noodles in the water as you assemble the lasagna. (But don’t dilly daddle during the lasagna assembly process or your noodles will quickly take on the proportion of a football field!)

To assemble:  Spread ½ cup béchamel sauce in a buttered 10×16-inch baking pan.  Arrange 1/3rd of the lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the roasted vegetable over the noodles, followed by half of both the spinach and the basil. Top the basil with ¾ cup of the Pecorino and ¾ cup of the mozzarella cheeses, then half of the béchamel sauce. Repeat, beginning with another third of the noodles, roasted veggies, spinach and basil, ¾ cup of Romano and ¾ cup mozzarella, and the remaining béchamel sauce. Layer on the remaining noodles. Carefully cover the pan with foil that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Remove the foil; spread the reserved 1 cup béchamel over the top and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup Romano and ½ cup Parmesan cheeses. Bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbly and lightly browned on top.  Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

*Chiffonade (pronounced “shif-oh-nod”) is a knife technique used for cutting herbs and leaf vegetables such as lettuce into thin strips or ribbons. To chiffonade leaves of basil, stack the basil leaves and roll them into a tube. Then carefully cut across the ends of the tube with your knife to produce fine strips.

**Hint: when deciding how many noodles to cook, spread the bottom of your pan with a single layer of uncooked noodles. Triple that number and you have just the right amount. (Seems too easy, doesn’t it?)