Vegan Moussaka

Vegan Moussaka is a hearty and flavorful Lebanese dish that layers roasted vegetables with a rich lentil filling, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce made from cashews. It's a perfect blend of spices and textures that will satisfy both vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium
• Zucchini - 1 medium
• Potato - 1 medium
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, diced
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Bell pepper - 1 medium, diced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Cooked green lentils - 200 grams
• Ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Cashews - 100 grams, soaked
• Almond milk - 100 ml
• Nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
• Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. Slice the eggplant, zucchini, and potato into 0.5 cm thick rounds. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until tender.
3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, cooked lentils, cinnamon, cumin, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for another 5 minutes until everything is well combined.
5. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, almond milk, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth and creamy to make the béchamel sauce.
6. In a baking dish, layer half of the roasted potatoes, then half of the lentil mixture, followed by half of the eggplant and zucchini. Repeat the layers and top with the cashew béchamel sauce.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from lentils.
• High in fiber from vegetables and lentils, promoting digestive health.

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