Spinach and Tempeh Lasagna

My new favorite use for a crockpot = lasagna!
Like meat sauce in your lasagna? Tempeh serves as a great meat substitute in this hearty sauce.





Spinach and Tempeh Lasagna

1 medium onion, quartered
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 Tbs. dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, peeled, plus 1 clove minced (1 tsp.), divided
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into chunks
1 28-oz. can chopped fire-roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for oiling slow cooker
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 10-oz. pkgs. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
8 oven-ready lasagna noodles
1 16-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed and drained
1 16-oz. container low-fat ricotta cheese, divided
1 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided

1. Place onion, basil, oregano, and 2 whole garlic cloves in food processor; pulse 6 times, or until onion and garlic are chopped. Add tempeh, and pulse until tempeh is ground. Add tomatoes, oil, salt, and pepper; pulse until chunky sauce forms.

2. Combine spinach and minced garlic in bowl, and season with salt and pepper.

3. Coat bottom and sides of 4-quart slow cooker with oil. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over bottom, and cover with layer of lasagna noodles, breaking them in pieces to fit around edges. Spread 3/4 cup spinach mixture over top. Place 1 layer roasted red peppers over spinach, and top with 3/4 cup ricotta. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over ricotta. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Swiss cheese. Repeat, layering noodles, spinach, peppers, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato sauce. Top with 1 more layer noodles and remaining spinach, tomato sauce, ricotta, and Swiss cheese.

4. Cook 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low. Let stand uncovered 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe compliments of vegetariantimes.com.
Helpful note from VT: Many people don’t know that the crock inside a slow cooker is ovenproof and you can transfer a dish like lasagna into the oven (up to 400°F) for 10 minutes to brown the top. Just be sure the pot is hot, to avoid drastic temperature changes that can cause it to crack.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Vindaloo

One of my sources for new recipes is Vegetarian Times Magazine. They also have a website with a large archive of recipes - http://www.vegetariantimes.com/ I found the Slow Cooker Vegetable Vindaloo on the website when I was in search of a recipe to put my new crockpot to use. I served the vindaloo atop brown rice with some naan on the side (Indian-style flatbread). Perfect!

A word from VT about Vindaloo:

Vindaloo is a spicy stew from the Goa region of India. Here, cauliflower and chickpeas replace the lamb or pork traditionally used in the dish. You can also substitute 3 cups of potatoes for half of the cauliflower for a heartier meal.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Vindaloo

6 cups cauliflower florets
2 15.5-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large leeks, white and light green parts sliced into 1-inch pieces (1 1/2 cups)
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
2 Tbs. curry powder
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. red pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
3 Tbs. chopped cilantro
3 cups cooked rice

1. Combine cauliflower, chickpeas, leeks, tomato sauce, vinegar, ginger, curry powder, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper sauce, and 1/4 cup water in 4-quart slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on high 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Transfer Vindaloo to large bowl, and cool 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, and serve over rice.