Lentil Lasagne

Ingredients

1 cup dry USA lentils, rinsed
21⁄4 cups water
11⁄4 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces lasagne noodles
2 cups chopped onion
3 large cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium zucchini, sliced
2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
1⁄8 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
11⁄2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Method

In a medium saucepan, combine lentils, water, fennel seeds, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until lentils are very tender and almost all the liquid is absorbed. Set aside.

Meanwhile, cook lasagne noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water.

Mix lentils with tomato sauce, sugar, and basil.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook onions and garlic in 11⁄2 tablespoons oil until they are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn onions into a bowl and set aside. To skillet add remaining 1⁄2 tablespoon oil and zucchini and cook, stirring, until zucchini is just tender, about 8 minutes.

Arrange half the lasagne noodles over bottom of baking pan. Arrange zucchini slices evenly over noodles, then spread half the lentils over the zucchini and half the cheese over the lentils. Top with remaining noodles, then with onions, and finally with remaining lentil mixture.

Bake covered for 30 minutes or until heated through. Five minutes before lasagne is done, uncover it, sprinkle on remaining cheese, and continue baking uncovered until cheese melts.

Nutrition: