Cashew Aubergine Parmigiana
serves 6 | PREP TIME: 10mins | COOK/bake/chill TIME: 1 hour 15 mins
PER SERVING
CALORIES: 381 | FAT: 17g | CARBS: 42g | PROTEIN: 14g
This is a delectable vegan twist on the classic Italian dish. Packed with rich, wholesome flavours it is perfect for when hosting guests as it can be conveniently pre-made and also great to have in the fridge as an easy dinner ready to be heated up.
Ingredients
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon white miso paste
Juice from 1 lemon
3 tablespoons cornflour
250ml milk (dairy free if required)
1 large bunch of fresh basil leaves
Grated mozzarella to top (dairy free if required)
3 large aubergines (thinly sliced)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
150g cashew nuts
1 large white onion (finely diced)
4 garlic cloves (crushed)
1 can of good quality chopped tomatoes
400ml passata
1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Method
Begin by preheating the oven to 180c. Place the thinly sliced aubergines in baking trays, drizzle with some olive oil and place in the oven to roast for 35-40 minutes.
Meanwhile cover the cashew nuts in boiling water and put to one side.
Heat a saucepan on a medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with the finely diced onion.
After a few minutes add the crushed garlic and leave to sauté for a few minutes more.
Once the onion has softened, add the chopped tomatoes, passata, Italian seasoning, salt and sugar.
Combine and leave to simmer on a low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes, until the aubergines are cooked.
Drain the cashew nuts and add them to a high-speed blender with the nutritional yeast, white miso paste, lemon juice, cornflour and milk. Blend until completely smooth.
Option now to also blend the tomato sauce mixture, but I quite like it with the texture.
Line an ovenproof dish with some of the tomato sauce, then load up with a layer of sliced aubergines and a few spoonful’s of the cashew sauce.
Add some basil leaves and then repeat until you have three layers of aubergines.
Finish with a layer of the cashew sauce, then top with some grated mozzarella.
Place into the oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden.
.Serve with some extra basil leaves on top, and a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of pepper should you wish. Option to serve with a simple side salad.