Eggplant Cannelloni with Pine Nut Romesco Sauce
This vegan version of the classic Italian dish wraps a flavorful quinoa and vegetable blend in tender slices of baked eggplant.
Eggplant Cannelloni
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants, peeled, sliced lengthwise ½-inch (1.5 cm) thick
- 2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, diced
- 80 g (½ cup) medium onion, peeled
- 120 g (1 cup) carrots, halved
- 55 g (½ cup) celery, diced
- 2 small garlic cloves, peeled
- 225 g (8 ounces) baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon no-salt Italian seasoning blend
- 185 g (1 cup) quinoa, cooked
- 480 ml (2 cups) low-sodium pasta sauce
- 170 g (6 ounces) non-dairy Mozzarella-type cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet.
- Bake about 20 minutes or until eggplant is flexible enough to roll up easily. Set aside.
- Heat 2 Tablespoons water in a large pan. Add bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic.
- Sauté until just tender, adding more water if needed.
- Add spinach and Italian seasoning and cook until spinach is wilted. Add cooked quinoa.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Mix in 2-3 Tablespoons pasta sauce and all of the shredded cheese.
- Spread about ¼ cup (60ml) of the pasta sauce in a baking dish.
- Put some of the vegetable mixture on each eggplant slice, roll up and place in dish. Pour remaining sauce over the eggplant rolls.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until heated through.
Pine Nut Romesco Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 small garlic cloves, peeled
- 170 g (½ cup) roasted red pepper
- 30 ml (2 Tablespoons) water
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons pine nuts
- 100 g (½ cup) tomato, quartered
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
Directions
- To make romesco sauce, place garlic, red peppers, water, vinegar, chili powder, pine nuts, tomato and yeast into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 2 or 3.
- Blend for 15 to 20 seconds or until chunky, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
- Serve eggplant topped with romesco sauce.
Notes
Mediterranean pine nuts are best.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size | 1 serving |
Amount Per Servings | |
Calories | 250 |
Total Fat | 8g |
Saturated Fat | 1g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 440mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 36g |
Dietary Fiber | 11g |
Sugars | 14g |
Protein | 14g |