Lasagne Day

Lasagne is an Italian dish, described as “nature’s most perfect food” by Garfield the cartoon cat. However, it isn’t just the orange tabby that enjoys imbibing this perfect pasta repast, lasagne regularly tops global surveys as a favourite dish.

Not surprising, therefore, that there is a dedicated occasion to celebrate: Lasagne Day! This is celebrated on 29th July each year.

A Mealtime Marvel

Lasagne Day pays tribute to a mealtime marvel that is thought of as a staple across the globe. First reports of the dish date back to the 13th Century in Naples, Italy where a recipe for it was found in the book Liber de Coquina. However, references to something similar have been found in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. In the 19th Century, lasagne found its way to America, later becoming popular in Europe.

Lasagne is made from stacked layers of thin, flat pasta that alternate with fillings such as ragu, vegetables and seasonings. The dish is usually topped with cheese. Typically, all the ingredients are then baked in the oven. The resulting lasagne casserole is cut into portions and served.

Fun Facts

• Lasagne was a great ration food in the navy: the Republic of Genoa used it on ships in the 12th Century.
• The number of layers in a lasagne varies, but the perfect number is five.
• Lasagne is cooked in all of Italy. However, the region of Emilia Romagna stands out for its excellent lasagne Bolognese.
• Originally, the word ‘lasagna’ or ‘lasagne’ did not refer to a food. It referred to the pot in which the food was cooked. It is thought that the word is derived from the Greek word for ‘chamber pot’.

Vegan Lasagne Recipe

This Lasagne Day, why not try a vegan version of the classic dish? This recipe is packed with flavour and contains a wealth of healthy fresh ingredients, as well as lots of protein.

Ingredients

1 Carrot (chopped)

2 Celery Stalks (chopped)

2 Cloves of Garlic (crushed)

1 Onion (diced)

2 Tins of Chopped Tomatoes

1 Tbsp Olive oil

95g Dried Red Lentils

½ Tsp Dried Oregano

1 Tsp Dried Basil

1 Tsp Soy Sauce

Some Fresh Basil

Salt

Pepper

470ml Vegetable Stock

3 Tbsp Tomato Puree

80ml Red Wine

Lasagne Sheets

130g Vegan Cheese

95g Vegan Sour Cream

Method

1. Chop the celery, carrot and onion into small pieces. Put them in a pan of olive oil and cook over a medium heat for approximately 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Rinse the red lentils with cold water and put them in the pan. Cook for another 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree along with the red wine and cook for another 1 minute.
3. Put in the diced tomatoes and vegetable stock and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until the sauce is thick and the lentils are reasonably soft. Add seasonings.
4. Preheat the oven to 180oC. Put a layer of the lentil Bolognese sauce on the bottom of your dish, then add layers of lasagne. Repeat this process. Top the lasagne with vegan sour cream. Sprinkle with vegan cheese.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown on top.

Shopping at The Pantiles

The Pantiles has a plethora of stores allowing you to stock up on all the ingredients and equipment needed this Lasagne Day! Head to Oliver Greens and The Zero Waste Company for a range of fresh produce and cupboard staples. Trevor Mottram has a great range of utensils and cookware to ensure your homemade creations are as tasty as can be.