Vegan Mushroom Bechamel Lasagna Food

CREAMY VEGAN MUSHROOM LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• In a large skillet, heat a glug of oil or veggie broth over medium. When the pan is hot, add the garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant. This will take about a minute. Add the mushrooms, tamari, and thyme. Cook, stirring every minute or so, for 6 to 8 minutes or until the mushrooms release their water and a little broth starts to form.
• Combine the cashews and veggie broth in a high-speed blender and blend until the mixture is completely smooth. This might take up to 5 minutes, depending on the speed and power of your blender. Pour the cashew sauce into the pan with the mushrooms. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for a couple minutes to let the sauce thicken, stirring frequently. Throw in the spinach and stir for another minute.
• Prepare the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Make sure to do this after your mushroom sauce is ready to go, so the noodles don't sit for too long and start sticking together.
• Spread a third of the marinara sauce on the bottom of an 8-by-11-inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with half of the mushroom cream. Add a layer of noodles. Use another third of the marinara to cover these noodles. Add the remaining mushroom cream. Add the last layer of noodles and cover it with the remaining marinara sauce.
• Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast over the top, if you like, and bake for another 15 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before serving.

VEGAN MUSHROOM & BECHAMEL LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat over to 220 C / 425°F.
• For the Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles to al dente according to package directions and set aside on baking paper.
• For the Bechamel: In heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the margarine over medium high heat. Slowly add the 1/2 cup + 2 tbs flour and stir to combine. Cook for two minutes stirring constantly. Slowly incorporate soy milk with a whisk. Bring just to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Add nutmeg.
• For the onions, etc: Saute the onion, shallot, fennel and leek in 2 tsp of the olive oil over medium heat in a non-stick pan until the onions are soft and translucent. Set aside.
• For the Mushrooms: Still using the non-stick pan, saute the portabellas in 2 tsp of the olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the mushrooms begin to release their juices. Add the splash of sherry. Set aside. Saute the oyster mushrooms in the remaining 2 tsp of olive oil for about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat and mix with the portabellas.
• For the Vegan Parmesan: In a food processor, mix the nuts, the 1/4 cup flour, the nutritional yeast and about 2 tsp of garlic powder (more or less as you prefer) and a 1/2 tsp of the salt. Test, and add the other 1/2 tsp of salt if needed.
• Layer the Lasagna: Spoon a thin layer of bechamel onto the bottom of the pan and spread evenly. Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles.
• Spoon 1/3 of remaining bechamel on the noodles and top with a good sprinkle of 'parmesan'. Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles.
• Spread all of the onion mixture, top with 'parmesan' and ladle a little bechamel. Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles.
• Spread all of the mushroom mix, top with 'parmesan' and ladle a little bechamel. Cover with a layer of lasagna noodles.
• Spoon all remaining bechamel on top and top with remaining 'parmesan'.
• Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes.
• Remove foil and broil for 5 minutes or until top begins to brown slightly.