soy-free vegan lasagna?

[Singingmom]

I haven't made lasagna in ages because my ds can't have dairy or soy. I searched and found the idea of using a white sauce instead of cheese (thanks, Punkie!) and now I need some kind of protein. The only thing I can think of is refried beans. Do you think that would be gross? Any other ideas? I'm really struggling with how to give him enough protein without soy or very much meat. He likes beans ok, but not too often. Rice milk has no protein (maybe 1g?). I'd appreciate any protein ideas!

[AmyDoll]

Instead of making a tofu lasagna, try a Mexican-based lasagna with beans, veggies and salsa, with guacamole on the side.

You could use seitan (wheat based protein)

Black beans would probably be good - better than refried pinto beans, unless you were doing a Mexican Lasagna

Lentils are a good meat substitute too.

How about Quorn? It's made from Mushrooms - that might be good in lasagna.

Ok I'm hungry now....

[Punkie]

We like Quorn too, but I haven't found any yet that doesn't have dairy in it If anyone finds some, please share the source!

We've done Mexican lasagna before, and it was really good.

Could you use nuts in your sauce? Maybe that'd sneak in some protein. I know that a lot of people use cashews to make "macaroni and cheese" (here's an example - http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7471.0 ) Maybe you could do something like that?

[Singingmom]

I guess a Mexican lasagne wouldn't be bad I can always make a small one for my ds while I make a regular one for the rest of us if we don't like it. Guacamole does sound good. Quorn is out because of the dairy, and he's allergic to nuts too. I've never heard of seitan. Would I find it at Whole Foods? I wonder which section. I'd be glad to find a new source of protein for him.

Thanks for the help, ladies!

[ShangriLewis]

How about Vance's? You could use that for white sauce. You can make a bean sauce with white beans. Cashew based sauces actually taste pretty cheesey once they are cooked. It's weird.

I would check one of the Joanne Stepaniak cookbooks or http://www.bryannaclarkgrogan.com/page/page/593386.htm. Bryanna Grogan sites has so many fabolous recipes. She might have one and if she doesn't you could request it on her message board at vegsource. She is really helpful.

[PurpleButterfly]

What about using protein rich noodles, like buckwheat (not sure if you can find them in lasagna shape, tho ), or just serving the lasagna along with something else as the protein source - whole grain nut butter muffins or pumpkin muffins spread with Earth Balance plus smoothies made with fresh fruit and your favorite rice, oat, or nut milk. You could also make a side of quinoa or bake bread using amaranth flour (both are excellent sources of high-quality proteins).

Also, keep in mind that protein is highly overrated and generally over-consumed in America. Not every meal has to include it.

[Singingmom]

Heather, what is Vance's?

Kym, do you know where I could find out more about how much protein a child does or does not need? I'd be relieved to find out I don't need to be quite so concerned.

I do have some quinoa and I need to get some arymanth. I can't do nuts. Thanks!

[PurpleButterfly]

Originally Posted by singingmom

Kym, do you know where I could find out more about how much protein a child does or does not need? I'd be relieved to find out I don't need to be quite so concerned.

Healthy 1-to-3-year-old children need 0.55 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day, which means the average 29-pound toddler needs 16 grams of protein each day. The RDAs for older children are 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight for 4-to-6-year-olds; 0.45 grams for 7-to-14-year olds; and 0.4 grams for 15-to-18-year-old boys. The RDA for girls over 15 and boys over 18 is 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, the same as for adults.

Source: http://www.kidsnutrition.org/consume...inchildren.htm

More on the protein myth:

http://www.downtoearth.org/articles/...veggie_kid.htm

http://www.ivu.org/faq/protein.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045400.asp

http://www.timinvermont.com/fitness/vegprotn.htm

[Singingmom]

Thank you, Kym.

[ShangriLewis]

http://www.vancesfoods.com/original.html

[Singingmom]

That looks very useful, Heather. Thanks!

I know this is an old thread, but did you ever end up making it with white sauce? What kind of white sauce did you use?

I had a recipe for vegan lasagna on an old computer... if I can find it I'll post it here.

http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/lasag...cchini-lasagna

This is the recipe I have been wanting to try. There are others at the same site.

This one does call for Liquid Smoke, which I think might have soy in it, but I was planning on either omitting it or trying to find a substitute.

[Singingmom]

I haven't tried it yet, Palil. That recipe looks interesting....not at all like the traditional lasagne I was trying to imitate, but that may be a good thing. I'd leave out the smoke, too. There are enough flavors there that it would still taste good, I bet. Thanks!