How To make Almost Vegan Lasagna

FILLING:

1 c Green lentils, washed
2 tb Olive oil
1 lg Onion, diced
1 md Carrot, thinly sliced
1 1/2 c Mushrooms, sliced
2 ea Garlic cloves, chopped
2 c Tomatoes, diced
2 tb Tomato paste
1 tb Parsley
1 ts Oregano
1 ts Marjoram
1 ts Soy sauce
Salt & pepper to taste

PASTA:

Lasagna strips, enough for

3 layers :

BECHAMEL SAUCE

3 1/2 c Water
1/2 c Cashews
1 ts Salt
1/2 ts White pepper
1 ea Bay leaf
1 ds Nutmeg
:

ROUX------------------------------------ 1/4 c Vegetable oil
1/2 c All-purpose flour

TOPPING:

1 1/2 c Mozzarella style soy cheese

OR Italian style almond :

cheese (optional) Rinse lentils & cook for about 25 minutes until soft. Drain, reserving the stock. Heat oil in a large skillet & saute onions for 3 minutes. Add carrots, garlic & mushrooms & continue to saute for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add cooked lentils, tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs & soy sauce. Add a little of the reserved stock if mixture is too dry. Cover & cook for 20 minutes to ensure that the flavours are well blended. Meanwhile cook enough lasagna strips to make 3 layers. Cook only till al dente. BECHAMEL SAUCE: Combine the water, cashews, salt, pepper & nutmeg in the blender & blend till smooth. Make the roux by heating the oil in a pot & stirring in the flour when hot. Slowly add the cashew milk, add the bay leaf & bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. When boiling, reduce heat to very low & simmer for about 1 minute or until the sauce starts to thicken. Set aside. Remove bay leaf before using. Oil a casserole dish. Put a layer of lasagna in the bottom & layer with the lentil mixture followed by the bechamel sauce. Repeat, ending with a layer of bechamel. Top with shredded soy cheese if desired. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Posted by Mark Satterly in Intercook