Grilled Summer Vegetable Lasagna
Ingredients
- Grilled vegetables:
- 3 large red, seeded and each cut lengthwise into quarters or yellow bell peppers
- Cooking spray
- 3 medium yellow squash, each cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- Tomato puree
- 4 pounds tomatoes, cut lengthwise into quarters
- 1/3 cup vodka
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- White sauce:
- 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 2 cups fat-free milk
- Remaining ingredients:
- 4 quarts water
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
- 1 cup basil, fresh, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup (4 ounces) Gruyere cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) Parmesan cheese, fresh, grated
Directions
Prepare grill.To prepare grilled vegetables, place bell peppers, skin sides down, on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; cook 15 minutes or until blackened.
Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal.
Let stand 15 minutes.
Peel and cut into strips.
Place squash and onion on grill; cook 5 minutes on each side or until tender.
To prepare tomato puree, place tomatoes in a large Dutch oven.
Cover and cook over medium heat 30 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Place tomatoes in a blender or food processor; process until smooth.
Return to pan.
Stir in vodka; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
(You will have 5 cups puree.
)To prepare white sauce, combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan; gradually add the milk, stirring with a whisk.
Cook over medium-high heat until thick (about 7 minutes), stirring constantly.
Set aside.
Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot.
Add noodles; return to a boil.
Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until noodles are done, stirring occasionally.
Drain.
Preheat oven to 375.Spread 1/3 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Arrange 3 noodles over white sauce; top with one-third of grilled vegetables, 1/3 cup basil, 1/3 cup white sauce, and 1/2 cup tomato puree.
Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 cup Gruyere, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Repeat layers twice, ending with noodles.
Spread remaining white sauce, 1 1/2 cups tomato puree, remaining Gruyere, and remaining Parmesan over noodles.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until bubbly and top is browned.
Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes.
Note: You will have 2 cups of leftover tomato puree.
Cover refriderate for 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.