I’m guessing you’re all sick to death of moving house updates by now, I know I am, so I thought I’d do a foody entry as they’ve been a bit thin on the ground recently.

This recipe is a family favourite in that I love it, Akra quite likes it and Akra Jr is learning to like it! It’s really easy, especially if you have a food processor that can take all the hassle away from chopping the veg.

I swiped it from my mother and I have no idea where she swiped it from, so if I’m infringing any copyrights do let me know and I’ll put in a proper source acknowledgement.

Vegetable Lasagne

Ingredients

225g carrots
225g courgettes
1 onion
100g celery
1 chicken stock cube (or vegetable stock cube if catering for vegetarians. I prefer the flavour the chicken stock cube gives though)
25g butter
2 level tablespoons of flour
½ pint of milk
salt and pepper (I tend to omit this as I forget, and it’s probably healthier without and there’s salt in the stock – still tasty)
175g lasagne (although this depends on the dish size – get the quick cook stuff not the one you have to precook)
175g grated cheddar cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F Gas Mark 5)

2. Place the chopped vegetables in a saucepan with the stock cube and ¼ pint boiling water. Yes, I know that doesn’t look enough fluid, but trust me, it is. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook gently for one minute, stirring. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the milk. Bring to the boil and continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, then add seasoning to taste. If too thick, add a little stock from the vegetables.

4. Put layers of vegetables, lasagne, and only two thirds of the cheese (alternatively!) in a shallow, oblong or square, 3 pint dish, finishing with a layer of lasagne. Pour the sauce over the top and cover with the rest of the cheese.

5. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.

6. Serve with salad and/or crusty bread.

Serves: 4. Unless you’re us where 2½ people get through the whole batch because we go back for seconds…

Enjoy!