Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese

A vegetarian pasta sauce which I hope will appeal to vegetarians, and to those committed to having at least some meat-free meals. It can, of course, be made using any pasta - either regular or wholemeal. Adapted from a recipe in Karen Meyer's 'The Artful Vegetarian' and posted for the Healthy for the Holidays Challenge. One of my adaptations was to add the carrot, on the recommendation of an old Italian lady who (with reference to pasta dishes made with meat) told me that in her village carrot was the secret ingredient to a successful pasta sauce. Certainly baby carrots add sweetness. If you are not using baby carrots, and if you don't usually add some sweetness, give it a try. You could add a teaspoon of sugar or honey, to taste. Whatever its source, the sweetness blends beautifully with the other flavours, particularly with the tomatoes.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 16  ounces  whole wheat spaghetti
• 1  tablespoon  oil
• 4  garlic cloves, crushed
• 3  onions, diced
• 1  red pepper, chopped
• 1  green pepper, chopped
• 4  baby carrots, grated
• 3  cups mushrooms, chopped
• 8  medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2  cups  cooked brown lentils
• 1  teaspoon tamari (see Notes)
• 3  tablespoons  chopped parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano or 2  teaspoons fresh oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried basil or 2  teaspoons fresh basil
• 1  cup tofu, cubed
• 1  teaspoon  extra tamari (see Notes) or 1⁄2 teaspoon  vegetable salt
• 2  teaspoons  oil
• 3⁄4 cup  almonds, chopped

Directions

1. Cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling water until tender, 10-15 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and add the garlic and onions and saute, stirring, for 3-4 minutes; add the red and green pepper, mushrooms and carrot and saute for a further 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes, brown lentils, tamari, parsley and herbs and cook for 5 minutes until well heated.
4. Sprinkle a little tamari on the tofu squares and heat the extra 2 teaspoons of oil in a separate (preferably non-stick) pan and lightly saute the tofu squares until they are lightly coloured on each side.
5. Drain the spaghetti and distribute it between 6 serving plates.
6. Pour the lentil sauce over the spaghetti, scatter the tofu on top and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.
7. Serve with a salad or steamed vegetables.
8. NOTES: Tamari is pure, top quality soy sauce, and is free from chemicals and preservatives. It can be used for flavouring in place of added salt or stock cubes in soups, vegetable dishes, pies, casseroles and dressings. It is available at health food stores and large supermarkets.