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1
Dice the aubergines, put them into a colander and sprinkle them with the salt, and leave them to drain for 15 min.
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2
Rinse them under cool water.
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3
Dry them with kitchen paper towelling.
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4
Cut the peppers into 2.5cm (1inch) strips.
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5
Heat the oil in a saucepan on a low heat.
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6
Put in the onion and garlic and soften them.
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7
Add in the peppers and aubergine.
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8
Cover the pan and cook for 5 min.
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9
Stir in the lentils, paprika and chilli pwdr and cook them for 1 minute.
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10
Pour in the stock and tomato and vegetable juice, add in the bay leaf and bring the mix to the boil.
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11
Re-cover the pan and cook gently for 50 min or possibly till the lentils are soft.
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12
Cook the macaroni in lightly salted boiling water for about 12 min or possibly till it is just cooked through.
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13
Drain it, run cool water through it and drain it again.
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14
To make the sauce, heat the butter or possibly margarine on a medium heat.
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15
Stir in the flour and then the lowfat milk, gradually.
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16
Bring the sauce to the boil, stirring.
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17
Simmer for 2 min or possibly till the sauce is thick.
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18
Take the pan from the heat and beat in three-quarters of the cheese.
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19
To serve, remove the bay leaf and layer the lentil mix and the macaroni in a flameproof 20cm (8inch) serving dish or possibly individual dishes, ending with the macaroni.
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20
Pour the sauce over the top and then sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
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21
Put the dish under a warm grill for a couple of min.