(gluten free, dairy-free, vegetarian/vegan option)
Need an alternative main dish for the holiday? Or an idea for holiday leftovers? This recipe has it ALL! Savory, veggie-packed, flexitarian, and super delish!
Traditional bechamel sauce is made with highly processed white flour, butter, and cream. It's a bit tricky too, as you need to "cook" the flour in melted butter to create a "roux," then add cream or milk slowly and hope it doesn't turn on you.
By contrast, our version is free of processed gluten, which is not only hard to digest but also lacks any nutritional value. We've also left out the dairy, an ingredient that 70% of the population has trouble digesting and causes histamine response, something you probably don't want, especially during cold and flu season.
Instead, we've subbed in nutritional rich veggies and plant protein to create a luscious, creamy sauce that is as versatile as just about anything. Use it on pasta, as a dip, or as a sauce on your favorite power bowl. You can't go wrong with this one folks. One of our all-time favorites!
Cauliflower is rich in antioxidants (primarily carotenoids) that can be converted into vitamin A, which is essential for human health and must be obtained though diet. Like most plants, cauliflower also boasts plant fiber (3 grams per cup), protein (2 grams per cup), while being low in carbohydrate and fat. Cauliflower is also a good source of micronutrients, particularly vitamin C, vitamin K, B-vitamins, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Choline, to name a few. Recent studies have given much credit to the sulforaphane content of cauliflower, which may be be why it's believe to help reduce inflammation, balance weight, and potentially help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Cashews (actually the seed of the cashew tree), are rich in healthy unsaturated fat (12 grams in 1 ounce), plant protein (5 grams in 1 ounce), and fiber (1 gram per ounce), as well a a host of micronutrients including copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, selenium and more. They also provide antioxidants and are considered helpful in lowering blood sugar and reducing inflammation.
We call this a "flexitartian" dish because it can be made with or without organic meat. Flexitarian is a term used to describe an eating style that is mostly vegetarian but occasoinally eats fish or meat. Go for what you're craving or whatever you have on hand.
Like all lasagna recipes, this involves layers. So there is a bit of a time investment but if you spread it out, maybe make the sauce the day ahead and the fillings the next day, That will spread out the work. When the components are all ready, the lasagna comes together in minutes. And once it's made, you've got a beautiful centerpiece for a crowd or an incredible weeknight dish with leftovers for days. Now wouldn't that be nice?
You can also get creative and swap out the filling here. We always believe in using whatever you have on hand! Go ahead and get creative!
All you need for this dish is (this is your shopping list!):
3/4 cup cashews
1 head cauliflower
4 cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
1 TB white (mellow) miso (or sub chickpea miso for soy-free)
1/4 cup + 2 TB nutritional yeast
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
onion powder
garlic powder
salt & pepper
1 lb. organic ground turkey (or sub 8 oz. organic firm tofu, preferably sprouted)
1 sweet yellow onion
8 ounces cremini mushrooms
Italian seasoning (or sub dried thyme and oregano)
2 large sweet potatoes, orange flesh
2-3 cups Home-Roasted Tomato Sauce (or sub a good quality store bought Organic Marinara Sauce)
10 fresh sage leaves
Comments