Lasagna Costume Birthday Party Fun

Spontaneous costumes surprise birthday parties with wildly fun people are always a great decision. Adding lasagna and vegan cookies takes them to the next level. Fine organic red wine is optional but recommend.

Lasagna

1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise & sliced
16 oz super firm tofu, crumbled
8 oz prepared TVP (recipe in this post)
4 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
50 oz pasta sauce (2 jars)
16 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained.
4 oz Daiya Cheese

In a large saucepan, skillet or pot combine zucchini, mashed tofu, TVP, nutritional yeast, salt, cayenne and 35 oz of pasta sauce. Heat on low and simmer for approx 5 min. Remove from heat and set filling aside.

In a lasagna pan put a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom. Add an overlapping layer of noodles. Add a generous layer of filling. Add another layer of noodles, filling and a final noodle layer. Top with remaining sauce and Daiya Cheese.

Heat in oven or toaster oven at 400F for 5-8 mins, until cheese is melted.

Serves 6-8

Easily made Gluten Free with gluten free lasagna noodles.  Ancient Harvest brand Shells or Veggie Curls would be a fun to use too. When it comes to GF noodles I prefer the quinoa ones over the rice ones.

Serve with garlic bread and side salad.

Prepared TVP

TVP (textured vegetable protein) is the go to ingredient I often use to bulk up a chili, round out a pasta sauce, top a nacho plate, combine with rice for stuffed grape leaves or roll into sushi.

You could save time by buying any of the various ready made ground soy crumbles/beef available in stores but I haven't found a brand I like. Even when flavored they've never tasted good enough or had the right texture for the dish.

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas) & Maki Sushi

Prepared TVP
(textured vegetable protein)

8oz TVP (Bob's Red Mill is easy to find)
3 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp coconut sugar or cane sugar
3 tbsp tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
2 cups water

Combine TVP, oil, salt, pepper, sugar in bowl and mix well. Brown in non-stick ceramic pan til lightly browned/toasted or bake in toaster oven til browned, approx 5 min. Stir in water and tamari and heat on low til liquid totally absorbed. If there is any slight crunch on tasting, add another 1/4 cup of water and heat further.