Even if we are not vegetarian or vegan, it can be beneficial to reduce our meat consumption and have a meat free day. For example “Meat Free Monday” which has been trending recently. Green Lentils (especially organic) are a super source of protein and fibre and work really well as a substitute for mince in lasagne, if you are considering trying a meat free meal. These lentils don’t have to be soaked like some other legumes but if you do soak them, they cook faster (1 cup lentils to 3 cups water). This lasagne is so full of flavour and nutrition, I think it will go down well with even the most fervent carnivore. I am using a jar of white sauce here to keep it as there are already a few steps but if you can make one yourself then of course fire ahead!
Ingredients
- ½ Red Pepper
- ½ Yellow Pepper
- ½ Green Pepper
- ½ Courgette
- 1 Medium Sweet Potato
- 1 Aubergine
- 2-3 handfuls of spinach
- 1 Onion
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Cup Green Lentils pre-soaked
- 1 tsp Dried Basil
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Jar Passata
- Gluten Free Lasagne Sheets
- Vegan White Sauce
- Vegan Cheese
Method
- Chop the vegetables and roast in the oven for ½ an hour at 180 deg C
- While the vegetables are cooking, boil the lentils until soft
- Saute the onion on low heat until translucent
- Add the minced garlic for 2 minutes
- Add the Basil and Oregano (you can adjust quantity to your own tastes as with the garlic)
- Add the cooked vegetables, spinach and cooked lentils to the pan and stir until the spinach has wilted
- Add the passata and mix well
- Spread layer of sauce, top with some white sauce and then lasagne sheets
- Repeat another layer with more white sauce on top
- Sprinkle vegan cheese over the top of the lasagne
- Cook in the oven at 180 deg C for 35-40 minutes (check cooking time for your brand of lasagne sheets
- Serve with a dressed salad
This meal has protein, lycopenes in your heated tomato sauce and a variety of minerals and vitamins thanks to the variety of colours of vegetables included. It is creamy and delicious and absolutely one of my favourite home comforts. It freezes really well too.
For your information, lycopenes are powerful anti-oxidants (fight free radical damage) and can help protect against sun damage, support heart health and lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Tomatoes are rich in lycopenes and cooking them increases their availability.