Layers of lovely smoky Puy lentils with harissa and mushrooms, roast squash topped with a gooey ‘cheesy’ sauce–such a deliciously warming dish.
Prep time: 30 minutesmins
Cook time: 1 hourhr30 minutesmins
4 servings
4.67 from 3 votes
Ingredients
1large white onion chopped
2tbspolive oil
4clovesgarlic sliced
1tspsmoked paprika
175gmushrooms finely chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
1tbsprose Harissa 0r 1 tsp harissa paste
2sun-dried tomatoes chopped
1tsptamari
1tbspWorcester sauce–I used Biona vegan version
150gdark green French or puy lentils rinsed
750mlwater
1/2tspsea salt
Twist black pepper
1tbspextra virgin olive oil
2tbspfresh thyme
For the cheesy bechamel sauce
1tbspvegan butter
2tbspplain flour
250almond milk
3tbspnutritional yeast
Big pinch sea salt
Twist black pepper
Instructions
To roast the veg
Pre heat your oven to 180c
Place squash on a baking tray and coat in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Bake for 45- 60 minutes or until cooked. Keep your eye on them, as they will cook at varying times.
Set aside
To make the lentils
Add your oil and onion to a wide bottom pan and fry gently on a low heat for around 10 minutes until soft and browning. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds more, then add the paprika.
Next, add the sundried tomatoes, tomatoes, Worcester sauce, mushrooms, tamari & harrisa–stir to combine and allow everything to soften.
Now add the lentils and water. Bring to the boil then cook on a low heat for 40 minutes.
Season with black pepper & salt to the pan and simmer for a further minute.
Turn off the heat and stir the fresh thyme & olive oil.
To make the cheesy bechamel sauce
Add the butter to a frying pan and melt on a low heat, then add the flour. Stir to combine well.
Next, add the almond milk and nutritional yeast. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly to ensure no lumps form. Now season well and remove from the heat.
To make the bake
Layer the lentils, then the squash, more lentils, then top with the cheese sauce.
Bake for 25 minutes on 180c.
Remove from the oven and, if desired, pop under the grill to brown the top a little.