½ date paste / other sweetener e.g maple syrup, rice syrup.
Instructions
Heat a medium saucepan on a gentle heat, add cabbage and herbs. Place on lid and allow the cabbage to steam in its own juices.
Put lentils in a medium saucepan, cover by an inch with water, add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, passata, stock powder and optional tabasco; bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until cooked down to a thickish soup.
Finely slice the potatoes (use a mandolin or processor, or with a knife, about ½cm thick) and steam for 10 or so minutes or until just tender.
Make the white / cheezy sauce by putting all ingredients into a blender, blend til smooth, pour into a small sauce pan and stir constantly until thickened.
Grease a deep baking dish or casserole dish which has a close fitting lid e.g. Pyrex or Le Creuset)
Layer in the dish as follows:
- ⅓ of the potatoes
- ⅓ of the cabbage
- ½ of the lentil mixture
- ⅓ of the white sauce
- Half of remaining potatoes
- Half of remaining cabbage
- Rest of lentils
- Half of remaining white sauce
- Remaining potatoes
- Remaining cabbage
- Remaining white sauce
- Breadcrumbs
A quick spray of oil on top
Bake for 40 minutes, in a moderate oven, placing on the lid for last 15 minutes to prevent top burning. Test is cooked through by piercing with a knife. Should be very soft, top crisp and sauce bubbling. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe by Plant Based Family Down Under at https://plantbasedfamilydownunder.com/2014/06/16/winter-bake/