Vegan Italian Vegetable Casserole

Last week I was asked to prepare a vegetable side dish for a dinner party that we were attending. In my enthusiasm for vegetables, I decided to prepare two. One tried and true and one new and untested.

So I went to a handy-dandy website, http://www.fatfreevegan.com/ and decided to try Susan's Italian Layered Vegetable Casserole. http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/05/italian-layered-vegetable-casserole.html I adjusted the proportions of the ingredients from the original recipe. I was totally surprised at this casserole's awesomeness. I'm inspired too. Inspired to make it again and try out my own unique versions of it. It would be fabulous with even more vegetable layers, maybe fresh tomato and basil or portobella mushrooms. You could even add precooked whole wheat lasagna noodles and make it into a vegan lasagna. You really can take this thing wherever you want.

Here's my first version of this vegan, low calorie yummimess. More versions to follow in the near future!

Italian Layered Vegetable Casserole
makes 8 servings, 2 Weight Watchers points per serving

2 large eggplants
2 medium-large zucchini, sliced thinly (or 2-4 cups sliced vegetables of your choice, such as mushrooms)
chopped parsley, garnish
28 ounces of your favorite pasta/tomato sauce

Filling:
16oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb tofu (firm, reduced-fat recommended–not silken!)
1 tsp. salt (optional)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast (adds a cheesy taste)
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. rosemary, crushed
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Peel the eggplants, if desired (this makes the casserole easier to cut). Cut into 1/4-inch slices. Pre-cook the slices until they are partially dehydrated: To pre-cook in the oven, place on a silicone baking mat or parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake at 450 F until slices are shriveled but not brown or crispy. About 25 minutes. Remove immediately from baking sheet and place on a plate.

Prepare the filling by placing all ingredients into a food processor and processing until smooth.

Preheat oven to 425. Spray a mid-sized rectangular casserole dish (I used 9x13-inch) with canola oil or non-stick spray. Put a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the dish–just barely enough to cover the bottom. Arrange 1/3 of the eggplant slices over the sauce. Spread 1/2 of the filling over the eggplant, and put half of the zucchini or other vegetables over the filling. Drizzle lightly with sauce. Repeat eggplant, filling, zucchini, and sauce. Place the final layer of eggplant over the top, and pour the remaining sauce evenly over it, spreading it to cover the eggplant completely.

Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes. Check to make sure that zucchini is cooked and sauce has thickened; if not, add more time. Remove when done and allow to sit for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley as garnish.

So what's been going on in your kitchen lately? Let me know!

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Vegan Indian Saag (Spinach) Tofu

I've been working on perfecting this recipe for Indian Saag Paneer for over a year, first lightening it up to fit within my Weight Watchers plan, and now, morphing it into a vegan Saag "Paneer".  A traditional Saag Paneer includes cubes of Indian cheese and heavy cream--not Healthy Girl friendly at all. But because it is my number one favorite Indian dish, I'm practically obsessed with getting it right (ie tasty and healthy).  So without further adoo (how on earth do you spell that?), here is my Saag Tofu:

Saag Tofu
serves 8

Printable Recipe

2 packages firm tofu
Tamari or low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp low sodium vegetable broth
6 medium or 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 Tbsp minced (or grated) ginger
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce (I used Trader Joe's low fat Marinara Sauce in the green can)
1 Tbsp garam masala
1 Tbsp ground coriander
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 16 oz. bags frozen spinach (or 3 10 oz. boxes), thawed
1 bag fresh baby spinach
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Open and drain packages of tofu. Wrap each block of tofu in paper towels (a few layers around) and place wrapped tofu block under a cookie sheet weighted with something a bit heavy on top of it. After 15 minutes, discard wet paper towels and cut blocks of tofu into 1" squares. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Place tofu squares on cookie sheet and drizzle lightly with Bragg Liquid Aminos or low sodium soy sauce. "Broil" the tofu squares for about 40 minutes, shaking the cookie sheet every 10-15 minutes, until the tofu is chewy and looks like this:

Remove tofu from oven and set aside.

Heat vegetable broth in a large skillet or pot on medium heat.  Add the garlic and ginger, stiffing frequently, until garlic just starts to brown.  Immediately reduce heat to low and stir in tomato sauce, coriander, cumin, garam masala and salt.  Partly cover and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in defrosted spinach (it is okay if it is not totally defrosted at this point). When incorporated and hot, stir in fresh spinach.  When fresh spinach is wilted, using a hand/immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth (or as smooth as you would like it, it's up to you). 

Simmer 8-10 minutes until spinach turns an olive green color.  Stir in almond milk.  Gently mix in tofu cubes. Remove from heat and serve. Great served right away with rice or naan and raita.  Keeps well in the refrigerator for leftovers.

Looks just like the real thing, huh?

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