The Four Layer Bake

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“The undercover agent
Hides Mr Green,
A world of vegetables
Cloaked in cheese.
This bake of four
Layered with treats,
Confuses the senses
Each bite a feast.”

 Ingredients
1 cup White Sauce- see recipe here:
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ red onion, sliced lengthwise
1 green chili, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon mixed herbs (oregano, parsley, thyme)
½ green pepper, chopped
½ cup chopped mushrooms
¼ cup green peas
¼ cup corn kernels
½ potato, boiled, peeled and cut in cubes
½ cup red kidney beans, boiled and mashed.
1 cup macaroni or shell pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
½ cup grated cheese (I use Gouda but you can use others)
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Mix the pasta and white sauce and keep aside.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pan. Add the onions, garlic and chili and sauté till onions turn brown and transparent. Add the tomatoes, mixed herbs, salt and pepper and cook on medium flame till tomatoes turn tender and the oil starts to separate. Mix in the kidney beans and stir for a few minutes. (If you’re a carnivore, you can add some minced meat to this as well) Remove from heat and keep aside.
Heat 1-tablespoon oil in a separate pan. Add the peppers, mushrooms, corn, peas and potatoes (and any other vegetables you wish to add). Sprinkle some salt and pepper and sauté on high flame till all the vegetables are well coated with the oil and start to turn brown. Remove from heat and cool.
Grease a baking dish. Add the Pasta. Layer with the tomato mixture, followed by the sautéed vegetables and finally the cheese. Bake at 200 degree C for about 15 minutes. Serve hot with soup and toast.