Vegetarian Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

White Sauce;
2   tablespoons unsalted butter
2   tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 3/4  cups low-fat (1 per cent) milk
1/2  teaspoon salt
1/8  teaspoon ground nutmeg

Lasagna;
2   tablespoons olive oil
1   large onion, finely chopped
2   large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1   carrot, finely chopped
1   large sweet red pepper, cored, seeded, finely chopped
1   pound zucchini, coarsely chopped
1   cup sliced mushrooms (about 3 ounces)
1  28  ounce can tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4  cup cured black olives, pitted and finely chopped
1/4  teaspoon salt
1/8  teaspoon pepper
1   cup packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
9   lasagna noodles
8   ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
8   ounces provolone cheese, shredded
1/2  cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Prepare white sauce;

1. Melt butter in medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until well blended. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk in the salt. Heat to boiling over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low; simmer, whisking often, for about 30 minutes or until the sauce is thick. Stir in the nutmeg; cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and set aside.

Meanwhile, prepare the lasagna;

1. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and carrot; saute for 3 minutes. Remove the vegetables to a medium-size bowl. Carefully wipe out the skillet.

2. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet red pepper; saute for 3 minutes. Remove the red pepper to the bowl with the onion mixture. Wipe out the skillet again.

3. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in the skillet. Add the zucchini; saute for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms; saute for 3 minutes. Add all the vegetables in the bowl back into the skillet. Add the tomatoes, olives, salt and pepper. Bring to boiling. Cover the skillet; lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Stir in the basil.

4. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.

5. Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water following the package directions. Drain the noodles. Combine the mozzarella, provolone and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese in a medium-size bowl.

To assemble;

1. Spread 1/2 cup of the vegetables over bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay 3 noodles lengthwise over the vegetables in the dish. Spread half of the remaining vegetables over the noodles. Spread one-third of white sauce over the vegetables. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese mixture. Top with 3 more noodles. Spread remaining vegetables over the top. Spread half of the remaining white sauce over the vegetables. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese mixture. Top with the 3 remaining noodles. Spread the remaining white sauce over the top. Sprinkle with remaining grated Parmesan cheese.


2. Bake in 375 degree F oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let the lasagna stand for at least 10 minutes before cutting into portions and serving. Makes 9 servings.