Layered Vegetable Loaf Recipes

LAYERED VEGETABLE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put a grill pan over medium-high heat, or prepare a grill; the heat should be medium-high, and the rack about 4 inches from flame. Brush eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms lightly with half the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; if roasting, grease 2 baking sheets with oil. Roast or grill vegetables on both sides until soft.
• Coat bottom and sides of 8-inch springform pan with oil. Layer a third of the eggplant slices into bottom of the pan, then layer in half the zucchini, mushrooms, tomato, garlic and basil, sprinkling each layer with a bit of salt and pepper. Repeat layers until all vegetable are used. Press the top with a spatula or spoon to make the torte as compact as possible. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and bread crumbs, and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon oil.
• Bake torte in oven until hot throughout and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing outer ring of pan, then let cool for another 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

TRICOLOR VEGETABLE PâTé

Steps:

• Line 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, overlapping sides.
• For Bean Layer:
• Mash beans in large bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread bean mixture evenly on bottom of prepared pan.
• For Red Pepper Layer:
• Combine peppers and feta in processor and blend until smooth. Spread pepper mixture evenly over bean layer in prepared dish.
• For Pesto Layer:
• Mince garlic in processor. Add basil, parsley and pine nuts and mince. With machine running, gradually add oil through feed tube and process until smooth. Mix in ricotta. Spread pesto evenly over red pepper layer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• To unmold, invert pâté onto serving platter. Peel off plastic wrap from pâté. Garnish with herb sprigs and serve with sourdough bread slices.

LAYERED VEGETABLE LOAF WITH CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• For first layer: Spoon-beat eggs in bowl. Measure broccoli after it has been cooked and finely chopped.
• Add to eggs along with remaining 3 ingredients. Mix well and pack into well-greased 8x4x2-1/2 inch (20x10x6 cm) pan.
• For second layer: Spoon-beat second amount of eggs in bowl. Mix in the next 5 ingredients and spread over broccoli layer.
• For third layer: Spoon-beat remaining eggs and mix in the next 4 ingredients. Spread over rice layer.
• Bake at 325F for about 1 hour or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
• Invert on serving tray and unmold. Garnish with cooked broccoli florets, cooked carrot pieces, and pearl onions, if desired.
• For cream sauce: Melt butter in saucepan, then mix in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk and stir until sauce boils and thickens. Makes about one cup.