Lentil-Walnut Loaf

This loaf is SO good. The hardest thing probably is chopping everything up and coordinating your ingredients, but besides a little down time, it's really not hard at all, I promise! Give it a try and I promise it's delicious. Try doubling this to make two loaves so you have one leftover you can cut up and refrigerate/freeze for portions later (and it'll make it more worth your time). I promise you won't be able to have just one slice. This loaf is WAY better than your traditional meat loaf<3. This recipe was taken right out of the "Oh She Glows" cookbook which rocks my world right now! You can easily change/modify ingredients to your liking. Vegan loaves are super easy and flexible like that :)






Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked lentils
1 cups shelled walnuts, finely chopped
3 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
sea salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped or grated carrot
⅓ cup chopped or grated sweet apple
⅓ cup raisins
½ cup ground up oats
½ cup bread crumbs (I kinda forgot to add this part and mine came out fine!)
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes


For the glaze:

¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup


Instructions:

Cook lentils in 3 cups of water simmering for 20-25 minutes (or throw in a pressure cooker!). Throw into a food processor so some are mushy but some are left intact. Put aside.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet for ~10 minutes. Remove and raise temp to 350.

In a large pot or wok heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper, celery, carrot, apple and raisins and cook while stirring for another 5 minutes or so.

Add lentils, walnuts, oat flour, bread crumbs, spices/herbs, and more salt and pepper to taste to your pot (the best part about vegan meat loaf is you can taste test the batter!). Stir until well combined and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

Press mixture into a loaf pan with parchment paper or sprayed down with oil spray to prevent sticking/burning. Use a spoon to flatten top of your loaf the best you can. Mix your glaze ingredients in a small bowl and spread over the top of the loaf evenly.

Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool before eating. Slice into 8 servings and enjoy! (Shh I won't tell if you eat all 8 servings yourself.. it's that good!)