Vegan Lasagne Soup

Yes, lasagne soup is perfect for gluten-free diets with a few changes:

Flour: Instead of using regular plain or all-purpose flour, replace it with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for thickening sauces. There are various gluten-free flour blends available in stores and supermarkets. Also, many supermarkets stock their own less expensive brand of gluten-free flours, such as Asda [UK].

Pasta: Traditional lasagne noodles or sheets contain gluten. However, you can use gluten-free lasagne sheets or noodles.

Check Ingredient Labels: Ensure that all the other ingredients you use, such as canned goods or vegetable broth, are free from gluten and wheat ingredients.

Of course, here are a few suggestions:

Tomato Passata or Tinned Diced Tomatoes: If you don't have tomato passata or tinned diced tomatoes, you can use tomato sauce or puree as a substitute. Alternatively, you can blend fresh tomatoes to create your own tomato base.

Tomato Paste[puree]: If you run out of tomato paste, you can replace it with tomato sauce. Keep in mind that tomato sauce is more liquid, so you might need to adjust the quantity to achieve the desired consistency.

Dried Red Lentils: If you don't have red lentils, you can substitute them with other types of lentils, such as green or brown lentils. Just be aware that cooking times may vary, so adjust accordingly. Alternatively, reduce the broth amounts required for the soup and use a can of cooked lentils instead of dried.

Canned Chickpeas: If you're out of canned chickpeas, you can use other legumes like cannellini beans, kidney beans, or black beans as a replacement. Drain the canned beans before popping into the soup.

Bay Leaf: If you don't have bay leaf, you can omit it or substitute it with other herbs like thyme or rosemary, depending on your taste preferences.

Cumin Powder: If you don't have cumin powder, you can try using curry powder, ground chili powder, or paprika for a different flavor profile.

Coriander (Cilantro) Powder: If you don't have coriander powder, you can use curry powder as a substitute. But of course add the curry powder to your personal taste.

Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour): To make the recipe gluten-free, you can replace plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for thickening sauces. Alternatively, you can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch [cornflour] as a gluten-free thickener.

Carrot, Sweet Potato, Celery, Bell Pepper, Courgette, Onion, Garlic: These vegetables can be substituted with other similar vegetables based on what you have available or personal preference. For example, you can replace the courgette with eggplant or mushrooms, swap bell pepper for cauliflower or chili pepper for an extra spicy soup, or use leeks instead of onions. Also the sweet potato can be replaced with butternut squash or pumpkin.

Feel free to get creative and adapt based on your taste and what's in your pantry.

If you are not too keen on shop-bought plant-based vegan cream then its easy to prepare this at home if you have a blender or food processor available.

Ingredients:

½-1 cup raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for a few hours, the longer they soak the easier the blending.
½-1 cup water

Instructions:

1.Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews and a half to one cup of fresh water.
3. Blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or add more water to achieve the desired consistency.

Once the homemade plant-based cream is smooth and well combined, it's ready to be added to your lasagne soup. If your blender is not high speed and you are left with gritty bits of cashews then this can simply be stirred through the soup or if preferred you can push the cream through a sieve to remove the cashew pieces.

Note: If you prefer a thinner consistency for the cream, you can add more water gradually until you reach the desired thickness.

By preparing your own plant-based cream at home, you can control the ingredients and ensure it aligns with your dietary needs.

Additionally, when measuring the cashews and water, if you don't have a specific [240ml] 1 cup measurer simply use a teacup or coffee mug, its the ratios that matter.

Yes! Simply use the cashew cream method outlined above for both almonds and sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are a great choice for a budget-friendly plant cream as these seeds are usually less expensive that cashews.

Interestingly, the use of almonds to create dairy milk alternatives dates back to British medieval times, where almonds were commonly used to prepare milk and creamy sauces and stews, during the Christian Lenten season and fast days where meat and dairy was not allowed to be consumed. So the idea of plant-based milks certainly not a new invention!

Garlic Bread: Serve some freshly baked garlic bread on the side. The warm, garlic-infused bread pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of the lasagne soup.

Garlic Toast: Make some simple garlic toast by spreading butter or olive oil on slices of bread and sprinkling them with garlic powder or minced garlic. Toast them in the oven until golden brown. Stale bread is perfect for garlic toast.

Salad: Prepare a fresh green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette dressing. The crisp and refreshing salad will provide a contrast to the warm soup.

Bruschetta: Create some delicious bruschetta by toasting slices of baguette or crusty bread. Top them with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. The vibrant flavors of bruschetta complement the soup nicely. Alternatively instead of bread use these tasty Traditional Scottish Oatcakes.

Antipasto Platter: Arrange an antipasto platter with an assortment of marinated vegetables, olives, roasted peppers, and vegan cheeses. It adds variety and allows everyone to customize their bites alongside the soup.

Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like basil, parsley, chives, or oregano on top of the soup. It adds a burst of freshness and complements the savoury flavors.

Vegan Parmesan: Sprinkle a generous amount of vegan Parmesan cheese or a similar plant-based cheese alternative over the soup. It adds a savory and slightly nutty flavor. Nutritional yeast flakes are the perfect Parmesan alternative.

Croutons: Make your own homemade croutons by toasting cubed bread with some olive oil and seasoning. The crispy croutons provide a delightful crunch and texture to the soup. Check out our Cream of Swede Soup for an easy home-made crispy crouton recipe that is also oil-free.

Vegan Sour Cream or Yogurt: Add a dollop of vegan sour cream or yogurt on top of the soup. It adds a creamy and tangy element that complements the richness of the lasagne flavors.

Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy some heat, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper or chilli flakes over the soup for a spicy kick.

Microgreens: Top the soup with a handful of microgreens, such as micro basil or micro arugula. They not only add a pop of color but also impart a delicate and fresh flavor. Or go for a few pea shoots or ordinary cress.

Lasagne Casserole: Layer the leftover lasagne soup with cooked or dried lasagne sheets and vegan cheese in a baking dish. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of cheese on top. Bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a lasagne casserole.

Soup Again!: If the soup has thickened after refrigeration, you can enjoy it as is or thin it out by adding a little vegetable broth or water. Reheat the soup on the stovetop and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve it again as a comforting bowl of soup.

Pasta Bake: Cook some pasta separately and combine it with the leftover lasagne soup in a baking dish. You can add extra vegetables or vegan cheese for additional flavor and texture. Bake it in the oven until the pasta is cooked and the top is golden and crispy.

Soup Risotto: Transform the leftover soup into a risotto-style dish. Heat the soup in a saucepan and gradually add in Arborio rice [although you can simply use basmati or long-grain rice], stirring frequently until the rice absorbs the liquid. Continue adding vegetable broth or water as needed until the rice is cooked to your desired consistency. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper, whatever you prefer. Optional: Stir in some cooked vegetables or vegan cheese.

Lasagne-Stuffed Peppers: Slice bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Fill each pepper half with the leftover lasagne soup, then top with vegan cheese. Bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. It's a creative way to repurpose the soup into a flavorful stuffed pepper dish.

Lasagne Soup Stuffed Bread: Hollow out a large bread loaf, such as a round sourdough, Italian or crusty Farmhouse loaf. Fill the cavity with the leftover lasagne soup, making sure to pack it in. Top with vegan cheese and bake in the oven until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Slice and enjoy the lasagne soup-filled bread as a hearty and flavorful meal.