Lasagna is a wonderful dish that comes from Italy. I have been making lasagna all of my life, or so it seems. I just absolutely love a good lasagna and of course being Italian, a great comfort food. As much as I love my lasagna I needed to find away to cut the calories, sodium and that dreaded cholesterol. The average lasagna starts out at over 800 calories and over 1400mg of sodium. Some of the pre-made and restaurant lasagnas are well over 2500mg of sodium. It's just not a heart or healthy meal.
After years of experimenting I finally came up with a great tasting lasagna that isn’t hard on the heart. The final numbers are unbelievably good. 320 Calories, 200mg Sodium and 24mg for Cholesterol. You may ask how this is possible with numbers like that. Simple, Good ingredients in the right places allow this taste fest to come alive. The secret is in the slicing of the veggies. Thin and seasoned layer by layer.A little time and you will have a meal that even your heart will say, That’s Italian…
Mama Carol’s Grill’n Rub
1 Teaspoon each of:
Thyme, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, Cumin,
Smoked Paprika, Granulated Garlic,
Granulated Onion, Chili Powder, Brown Sugar,
Dry Mustard and No-Salt Seasoning (Kirkland)
Mix all ingredients in a bowl to blend.
You can also use a coffee / spice grinder to make a better balanced rub.
Sprinkle on all of your favorite recipes…
- and store the rest for next time.
Carrots - sliced thin (1/8")
Zucchini - 1/4" slices
Eggplant - 1/4" slices
Red Bell Pepper - 1/4" slices
Red Onion - 1/8" slices
Mushrooms - 1/4" slices
Lasagna Noodles
Garlic Powder
Mama's Grill'n Rub
Dried Basil
Dried Parsley
Parmigiano reggiano Cheese - grated
Mozzarella Cheese - shredded
Plain Yogurt - low fat
Plum Tomatoes - no salt added -diced
Tomato Sauce - no salt added
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive Oil Spray
Garlic - chopped
Onion - chopped
Dried Oregano
Red Pepper Flakes
Sea Salt
Ground Black Pepper
No-Salt Seasoning (Kirkland or Mrs.Dash)
Mixing Yogurt Cheese
Place cheese in a mixing bowl. Add 2 ounces of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp each of dried basil & dried oregano, ¼ tsp ground fennel seeds & black pepper.
Mix all together till blended then set aside till needed.
Peel Eggplant and Zucchini.
Using a Mandolin or a Sharp Knife
Cut into ¼” slices: Egg plant, Zucchini and Mushrooms
Cut into ⅛” Slices: Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion
Chop Yellow Onion and Garlic
Tomato Sauce
Place a deep skillet on the stove. Add olive oil and (1/8 tsp red pepper flakes). Heat skillet to medium low then add onions. Mix in ¼ tsp No-salt seasoning and saute for 5 minutes. Add Garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Add ½ tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp & dried oregano. Mix through and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes. Mix with onions, garlic and seasonings. Add 1 tsp dried parsley. Mix through and cook for 1 minute. Mix in ⅛ tsp sea salt. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally. Turn off heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
Time to Grill the Egg plant & Zucchini
In a large Skillet or Griddle, squirt with olive oil spray then sprinkle Mama’s Grill’n Rub on each side of eggplant slice and Grill for
2 minutes per side. Using a spatula turn over, spray with non-stick spray and season with Grill’n Rub.
In the same skillet, spray with olive oil spray. Saute zucchini adding no-salt seasoning to each zucchini slice. Grill for 2 minutes pre side then turn over, spray with non-stick spray and season with no-salt seasoning.
Noodle Time
Fill a large pot with 8 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil. Place lasagna noodles in pot one at a time. Cook as directed on noodle package, about 8 to 9 minutes. When noodles are cooked, drain water and replace with cold water to stop cooking. Allow noodles to rest for 5 minutes in cold water until they are cool enough to handle.
Note: Drain the noodles just before using in lasagna. They should be moist but not sopping wet.
Putting Our Lasagna Together
Pre-heat oven to 350 f.
In a deep baking dish (9 X 13 by 2 inches deep). Layer bottom with ¼ of the tomato sauce then place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Place a layer of egg plant. Place a layer of zucchini next. Sprinkle Garlic Powder over zucchini. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over zucchini. Place a 2nd layer of lasagna noodles and spoon on a layer of yogurt cheese. Spread cheese evenly.
Next add Layers of:,Onion, Bell pepper and Carrots. Sprinkle carrots with Mama’s Grill’n Rub. Layer the Mushrooms and sprinkle with basil & oregano. Layer the top with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Cover dish with aluminum foil. Place into oven and Cook for one hour.
Remove from oven, uncover and allow to sit for 15 minutes .
Serve
