Hearts of palms are a great way to add lasagna noodles without adding all those carbohydrates and high calories.Texture is slightly crunchy with a creamy, tomato taste.The protein I used was the tofu ricotta that I will tell you, no one will know. But you can certainly use your own protein of choice, and still use the herbs and spice that is in the ricotta.Diet:This dish is completely plant based, and low in calories . Perfect dinner if you are on my weight management program.Vegan, Vegetarian, sodium friendly, child friendly, diabetic friendly, and celiac friendly.
1package of sliced hearts of palm which is the inner core of a palm tree. Rinse and drain. Set aside
8-10Mushrooms rinsed, dried, and sliced1 carton
Large pan for Tomato Sauce
1Can 796ml Whole peeled tomato's
1/2Filtered water
2Cloves garlic pressed
1tbspTomato paste
1tbspItalian seasoning
1tspGround black pepper
1tspHimalayan or sea salt. use less if you are watching your sodium intake.
2tbspExtra virgin olive oil
2tspCoconut sugar
Plant-Based Ricotta
1Package Firm Tofu - non-gmo, Organic. Rinse, dry, and press for 15 minutes. See notes
3tbspFresh lemon juice
3Medium size Cloves of garlic
1 1/2tbspTahini
4tbspNutritional Yeast
3tspMiso paste
1/4tspGround black pepper
2tbspdried Parsley flakes
Plant-based Parmesan
3/4cupRaw cashews
3tbspNutritional yeast
1/4tspGarlic Powder
1/2tspHimalayan or sea salt
Instructions
Tomato Sauce
In a large pan add the olive oil on medium low. Add in the garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, tomato paste and allow to fuse flavours together for 5 minutes.Add in the tomato's and water. Let simmer for 15 minutes uncovered.Cut the tomato's a few times with the end of the spatula to break them apart.Shut of the heat.
Preheat the oven to 450°F
Plant-based Ricotta
Roll the tofu in paper towel, then wrap with towel. Put a heavy pan on top to move most of the water out.
Cut tofu into strips, and put into the medium size bowl.Add the lemon juice and mash with hands together It will look like ricotta. Let sit for 15 minutes.Then add the Tahini, garlic, nutritional yeast, miso, black pepper and parsley. Mix well together with hands. Set aside
Plant based Parmesan
Food process the cashews, nutritional yeast, salt and garlic powder.Pulse quite a few times until the texture is a grainy meal.
Layering the lasagna
Divide the lasagna strips into 3 piles for layering.In the small lasagna pan, layer the bottom with thin amount of tomato sauce.1. Layer with 1 pile of lasagna strips2. Layer with Ricotta3. layer with sliced mushrooms4. Layer with tomato sauceRepeat steps 1 to 4 Add layer of sauce and leave a small amount for the topping.Add the last layer of lasagna noodles and then the thin layer of tomato sauce.Sprinkle all over a good layer of the plant based parmesanBake for 40 minutes covered, then 5 minutes uncovered to toast the top.
Remove and cut into large pieces for each person.Top with a little fresh or dried basil optional.If there are any left overs, allow to cool completely. store covered in the fridge for left overs the next day.