It probably is because of my Italian roots but the fact that I love lasagne is a sure thing.
You won't believe me if I say that this is the first time ever I tried a version with aubergine as the only filling.. and that turned out pretty good I must say!
Ingredients for 6 (or greedy 4) servings:
12 Egg-Free Lasagne Sheets
2 medium Aubergines
1 Onion
10 to 15 Cherry Tomatoes*
350 ml Italian Passata*
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
1 Garlic Clove
100 gr Grated Mozzarella
Basil Leaves
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
... for the Beschamelle sauce ...
500 ml Plant Based Milk (Oat)
30 gr Vegetable Oil
30 gr Plain Flour
30 gr Nutritional Yeast (Nooch)
1 ts Salt
1/2 ts Nutmeg
* you can only use 500 ml Italian Passata. I love to use both passata and fresh tomatoes because it gives the sauce a fresher kick.
1) TOMATO SAUCE:
Roughly chop the tomatoes and place in a microwave friendly bowl with olive oil and salt to taste.
Microwave for 3 minutes at 800 W.
Add passata, pepper, basil leaves, onion and garlic powder.
Microwave for 6 more minutes at 800 W.
2) FILLING:
Wash onion and aubergines.
Chop and sauté the onion with olive oil, salt and a splash of water for around 10ish minutes. Than add the garlic clove, grated.
In the meantime cut the aubergine into cubes. Combine with the onion (once it became translucent) and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and set aside.
3) BESCHAMELLE SAUCE:
Combine oil and flour in a microwave friendly bowl and heat for 30 seconds at 800 W.
Gently combine milk (a spalsh at a time), salt, and microwave for another 3 minutes at 800 W.
Stir with a whisk (sauce should be thickened a bit) and add the rest of the ingredients.
Mix well and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes more. Blend one more time and set aside.
4) ASSEMBLING:
In a tray pour a few tablespoons of tomato sauce.
Place as many lasagna sheets as to cover the entire bottom.
Cover with a layer of aubergine (half of them) first...
...then pour some tomato and beschamelle sauce. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese. Repeat another layer (lasagne sheets, aubergine, tomato sauce, beschamelle and mozzarella).
Top with some beschamelle and tomato sauce and do a little swirl with the back of a spoon.
Pre-heat the oven on 180° and bake for 40 minutes (pierce with a skewer or a fork to make sure lasagne is cooked thoroughly).
Enjoy :)