tomato sauce
1 Onion, diced
3 Garlic cloves, chopped
1 Carrot, diced
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Fennel seeds, ground
1/2 teaspoon Basil
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Marjoram
1 tablespoon Parsley
3 cups Tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons Tomato paste
1 pn Sugar, optional
Salt and pepper
bechamel sauce
2 tablespoons Olive oil
2 tablespoons Flour
2 cups Soy milk
Salt and pepper
1 pn Nutmeg
to assemble
Lots of lasagna noodles, preferably green and fresh
1-1/2 cups Peas, frozen or fresh*
1 tablespoon Olive oil
Thyme, as needed
Yield: 8 Servings
TOMATO SAUCE:
Prepare vegetables as indicated in the ingredient list and set aside. Heat oil in a large pot until hot, and saute the chopped and diced vegetables just until the onion has softened. Add the herbs and continue to saute stirring occasionally for a few minutes longer. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and let simmer for 15 minutes, stir occasionally. Set aside, once cooked.
BECHAMEL SAUCE:
Heat oil, stir in the flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and slowly beat in the milk, ensuring that no lumps form. Return to the heat and cook, stirring over medium heat, until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside.
TO ASSEMBLE:
If using dried pasta, it is advisable to cook it first. If using fresh pasta, just sprinkle with a few drops of water before baking.
Ladle several spoonfuls of tomato sauce in the bottom of a lasagna pan then top with 1/4 of pasta, let the sheets rise up the sides of the pan. Top with half the bechamel sauce and half the peas. Add another layer of pasta, another layer of tomato sauce and top with a third layer of pasta. Add the remaining bechamel sauce and peas. Top with the rest of the tomato sauce. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with thyme.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 400F for 40 minutes, until bubbling hot.
Serve with home-made garlic bread and a green salad.
* If using fresh peas, blanch before adding them to the lasagna layers.