Julie's Vegetarian Kitchen
One of Julie's hobbies is trying new vegetarian recipes. Adding them to this website will be an ongoing process. In the meantime, she'll feature a "Recipe of the month" for you to enjoy.
Squash and Leek Lasagna
(from http://www.eatingwell.com)
10 ounces
lasagna noodles, preferably whole-wheat
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large or 5 medium leeks, pale green and white parts only, thinly sliced and
washed thoroughly (about 6 cups)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups nonfat milk
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 2-pound butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and grated using the
large-hole side of a box grater
6 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (see Tip)
1. Preheat
oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles until not quite al dente,
about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; return the noodles to
the pot and cover with cool water.
3. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks; cook, stirring
often, until softened, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the leeks; stir
well. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk in a slow stream
and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk
in thyme, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Remove from the heat.
4. Assemble lasagna in the prepared baking dish by layering one-third of the
noodles, one-third of the sauce, half the squash, one-third of the cheese, half
the remaining noodles, half the remaining sauce, all the pine nuts, all the
remaining squash, half
the remaining cheese, all the remaining noodles, all the remaining sauce and all
the remaining cheese. Cover with parchment paper then foil.
5. Bake the lasagna for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbling and lightly
browned, 30 to 45 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving (or
follow make-ahead instructions).
Per serving:
278 calories; 9 g fat (4 g sat, 2 g mono); 19 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate;
14 g protein; 6 g fiber; 464 mg sodium; 546 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (150% daily value), Calcium & Vitamin C (30% dv),
Iron (15% dv).
Tip: To toast chopped nuts & seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. To make ahead: Bake, let cool for 1 hour, cover with parchment paper then foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, at 350°F for 1 hour, then uncovered for 30 minutes more.