Veggie Foodie

Ingredients:

• Mixed vegetables (French beans, carrots, green peas) – 3 cups, boiled / steamed
• White sauce – 3 cups
• Grated cooking cheese – 5 Tbs. I used Amul (Indian brand) cheese. It’s a very tasty cheddar cheese!

White Sauce

• Butter – 2 Tbs
• Whole wheat flour – 3 Tbs
• Whole milk – 2 cups
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

White Sauce

1. Melt butter in a deep skillet over low / medium heat
2. Sprinkle flour on butter and cook for 2 minutes, constantly stirring, till it is light brown in color and gives sweet fragrance
3. Note: Be careful as the flour can start sticking to the skillet bottom and burn
4. Remove from heat and gradually add the milk, constantly blending the cooked flour with the milk
5. Return the skillet to heat and cook over medium heat, stirring throughout until the sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper and mix well

Putting together and baking

1. Add some salt (to taste) to the cooked vegetables and mix well
2. Heat the oven at about 425 F
3. Take 1/3 of the mixed vegetables and spread them in a baking dish
4. Spread 1/3 of white sauce on top of the vegetables
5. Spread 1/3 of cooking cheese on top of white sauce
6. Similarly, add 2 more layers of the ingredients in the same order
7. Layer rest of the cheese on top
8. Bake in hot oven for 15 minutes
9. Switch the oven to broil mode at 450 F for 4-5 minutes till the top is light brown
10. Note: Check regularly to make sure that the top doesn’t get too deep brown in color
11. Serve hot

Serves: 4

Inspiration source: The Joys of Vegetarian Cooking by Tarla Dalal

Remarks: This baked dish makes for an ideal chilly winter evening meal!