Skip to main content

Fresh Summer Eggplant Tofu Strata

This is a delicious vegetarian casserole with fresh summer vegetables and herbs. The fresh herbs and veggies flavor the tofu beautifully.  Celebrate the bounty of summer!


1 eggplant, sliced horizontally
2 yellow squash or zucchini, sliced horizontally

1 jar favorite chunky tomato sauce
2-3 sheets no-boil lasagna noodles
2 cups grated cheddar or Jalsburg (or other favorite meltable) cheese
1 brick extra firm tofu, sliced
1 large beefsteak tomato, sliced
palmful fresh basil leaves

Panko bread crumb topping:
2 Tbsp panko crumbs
1 clove garlic, finely minced
palmful fresh herbs
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Heat grill to high.  Spray eggplant and squash with a dash canola oil.
Grill until brown, about 3-5 minutes on each side.  
Set aside.

Meanwhile lay tofu slices between paper towels and cover with a cutting board to remove water from tofu.

Preheat oven to 400F.  Place tomato sauce into base of an oiled 13x9-inch casserole.  
Lay lasagna noodles on top of sauce. 
Place half eggplant and squash on noodles.  Top with 1/3 of the cheese and the tofu.  Garnish with fresh basil.
Layer on the remaining eggplant and squash. 
Top with tomato and more basil and 1/3 of cheese.  
Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.  
Mix together panko topping in a small bowl.  Top strata with panko topping. and remaining cheese.  
Bake another 15-20 minutes, until nicely browned and bubbly.


Serves 4-6.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Umami Beef Short Ribs Samin Nosrat

This is the penultimate prep for beef short ribs.  Based on the superb documentary by Samin Nosrat, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, this is the most umami rib dish you will ever have.  Its the combination of red miso and soy sauce that marinates and flavors the beef - give it a long time to work right - that means overnight in the fridge; it's worth the planning ahead. 6 beef short ribs on the bone, about 3-4 lb 1 large sweet yellow onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, minced 4 cloves garlic, halved Marinade: 1/4 cup red miso 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup pale dry sherry or Mirin rice wine 1 Tbsp sesame oil 1 Tbsp honey 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt the ribs generously with coarse salt and let rest overnight in the refrigerator in a resealable plastic bag. Whisk together the marinade.   Pour into the plastic bag and allow to marinate on the counter for about 2-3 hours, or again overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 375F. 

Scrambled Benedict

This is the ultimate Sunday brunch item. Don't be intimidated about making a Hollandaise sauce - it is so much easier and quicker than you may think. And it is oh, so luscious over eggs.  You can poach your eggs or fry them; whatever you prefer.  My favorite is poached, but others in the family like scrambled better, so I scrambled. Happy brunching. Hollandaise Sauce: 2 egg yokes, in a small bowl 1/2 cup butter, just melted in microwave 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp salt ~1 Tbsp lukewarm water 2 English muffins 2 remaining egg whites 3   eggs 1 Tbsp cream dash dried dill Set up a double boiler (I use a medium pot with a metal bowl on top), and bring 2 cups water to the boil. Reduce heat to low. In the yet unheated double boiler top bowl, whisk together the butter, lemon juice, mustard and salt. Warm over double boiler. Whisk the egg yokes together.   Slowly whisk the yokes into the warmed butter mixture, drizzling the yokes in slowly.   Whisk continuously.   If the

Coconut Rice Noodles with Eggplant

Noodle bowls are always a welcome dish for a wholesome dinner meal after an outing like grooming roses with your Park friends. Or whatever you've been doing in the afternoon. This will satisfy an appetite after a good day's work, with hearty eggplant, satisfying noodles and a cozy broth of coconut and tomatoes. Garnish with basil or mint. 1/2 lb dried wide rice noodles 2 Tbsp olive oil plus 2 Tbsp salted butter 1 medium onion, sliced kernels from 1 fresh corn stalk, or 1/2 cup frozen 3/4 lb eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups) 2 cloves garlic, minced 3/4-inch fresh ginger, minced 1 tsp favorite curry powder 1 can whole coconut milk (I used Trader Joe’s) 2 cups chicken (or veggie broth) - I used home-made stock 1 dozen grape tomatoes, halved Set a medium pot of water to boil for the noodles. Simmer according to package directions until just before cooked. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the olive oil in a wide skillet.   Add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes on