What's for dinner?

Hubby bought me the Quick-Fix Vegetarian cookbook for Christmas and I've fallen in love with this recipe for Zucchini, Eggplant and Pesto Strata.  (Actually, Hubby suggested we add in the eggplant, because he really hearts eggplant.  Also, I forgot to add the roasted red pepper to my photo shoot.  My bad.)  What I find most exciting is this recipe gives me a nice excuse to make use of our new mini mandolin.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1/2 Cup Basil Pesto

1 Cup Canned White Beans (Drained and Rinsed)

3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Vegetable Broth

4 Cups Cubed Day-Old French Bread, Crusts Removed

2 Medium Sized Zucchini, Thinly Sliced

1 Japanese Eggplant, Thinly Sliced

4 Ripe Plum Tomatoes, Thinly Sliced

1 Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Diced 

Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

WHAT TO DO:

In a food processor, blend together the beans, pesto and 2 Tablespoons of the Olive Oil.  Add the Vegetable Broth and blend until smooth.  Set aside. 

Step 1: Layer about 2/3 of the bread in the bottom of a lightly oiled baking dish

Step 2: Layer 1/2 of the zucchini and season with salt & pepper

Step 3: Layer 1/2 of the eggplant and season with salt & pepper

Step 4: Spoon on half of the pesto mixture

Step 5: Layer half of the tomatoes and then add the chopped roasted red pepper.  Season with salt & pepper

Step 6: Layer the remaining zucchini slices and season with salt & pepper

Step 7: Layer the remaining eggplant slices and season with salt & pepper

Step 8: Spoon on the remaining pesto mixture

Step 9: Layer the remaining tomato slices and season with salt & pepper.

Step 10: Top with the remaining bread and drizzle with 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Cover tightly with tin foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is bubbly.  Remove the cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.

EAT!  Enjoy!  Hubby and I barely have any leftovers.

PS: This recipe is VEGAN.  Who knew?

 xoxo

Comments

[Sissy]

That looks very nice. I want a mandolin!

[theoddbroad]

It was real good. I made it twice this week. I love the mandolin- but I'm paranoid I'm going to slice my finger, like Daddy did!