Eggplant lasagna... That's what I'm calling it & it was delicious! I used eggplants and fresh basil from my garden to create this dish because my eggplant bushes are doing amazing things this year! Hope you will enjoy this random, improvised meal I made my family with your loved ones. Also... This is a reminder to ALWAYS write down everything as you cook. Even if you have no plan in the beginning. In fact my best recipes happen when I am just going with the flow and have no idea where I'm going to end up at!
Recipe:
3 medium or 2 large eggplants sliced 1/4" thick lengthwise (think lasagna noodles)
For the "meaty" sauce-
1 package of beefless crumbles (or 2 cups cooked lentils if you don't like vegan "meats")
1 tsp. Miso paste (soy sauce can be used if you don't have miso)
Greek seasoning blend to taste
1/2 dried mint flakes
Chopped fresh basil (about 6 leaves)
1 small onion diced
1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
6 oz. Fresh spinach
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh cracked pepper & salt to taste
4 cloves of garlic, pressed
12 oz. Prepared tomato sauce
For the cheezy sauce -
2 Tbsp vegan butter
2 Tbsp flour of choice
1 tsp. Fresh lemon juice
2 cloves of pressed garlic
2 cups unsweetened plant milk
1 tsp. Dried Rosemary
4 oz. Vegan mozzarella
Topping-
4 oz. Vegan mozzarella
2 Tbsp. Nutritional yeast
1 tsp. Greek seasoning blend
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Combine all ingredients for "meaty sauce" EXCEPT the garlic and tomato sauce in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once beefless crumbles are browned & onions are soft, add garlic and tomato sauce. Reduce to simmer & cover with a lid.
3. While the sauce simmers... melt your vegan butter and flour in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir to combine. Once butter is melted, allow to cook one more minute to cook off the raw flour taste. Add you remaining ingredients and whisk to eliminate lumps. Allow to come to a boil. Reduce heat and let your sauce thicken for about 5 more minutes- it is ready when it coats a spoon.
4. Spray a 11×13 casserole dish with no stick spray of choice(or use vegan butter to coat). Layer in 1/4 the meat sauce, 1/4 cheeze sauce, cover with a layer of eggplants (think lasagna noodles). Repeat these steps until you end with a layer of meat sauce & cheeze sauce on top.
5. Sprinkle your topping over the eggplant lasagna. Coat tin foil with no stick spray (or vegan butter) to keep it from ripping your cheeze off when you remove it. Cover dish with tin foil (coated side against the cheeze).
6. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove tin foil and cook an additional 5 minutes until cheeze becomes golden.
Remove from oven & let cool at least 5 minutes before serving- it will be REALLY HOT, so have a glass of wine and relax before calling your family to dinner.
Makes 6-8 servings.
