Vegan lentil, walnut roast
This lentil loaf is inspired by Terry Walters' Clean Food Lentil Loaf recipe and Oh She Glows.
This lentil walnut loaf is so delicious, you'll find it hard to resist. Raved about by readers, husbands, children, and recipes testers alike, many claim it’s better than traditional meatloaf. The beauty of creating a lentil loaf (as opposed to a meatloaf) is that you can taste the mixture as you go without having to worry about the raw meat. This results in a perfectly seasoned loaf and, trust me, the batter tastes so good! Lentil loaves can be temperamental, so it’s best to follow the directions exactly as written as I’ve tested this multiple ways. Even minor changes to this recipe can result in a loaf that doesn’t stick together as well. I love to serve this loaf with my stunning Cauliflower Carrot Mash, applesauce, and/or steamed broccoli or greens. This lentil loaf is inspired by Terry Walters' Clean Food Lentil Loaf recipe and Oh She Glows. Ingredients: serves 8
For the Lentil-Walnut Loaf:
2 (14-ounce) cans of lentils, drained and rinsed*
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups finely chopped sweet onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup grated carrot
1/3 cup peeled and grated sweet apple
1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped) or raisins
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Fine sea salt, to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons ground flax
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup spelt bread crumbs (or bread crumbs of choice)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Balsamic-Apple Glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce or apple butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan, and then line it with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the length of the pan.
If using canned lentils, rinse and drain them in a colander. If using lentils cooked from scratch, follow the directions in the note below. After draining, add them into a very large bowl and mash the lentils with a potato masher. The goal is to create a lentil paste while still leaving about 1/3 of the lentils intact.
Spread the chopped walnuts onto the baking sheet. Toast the nuts for 8 to 12 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
Increase the oven heat to 350°F.
Add the oil into a large skillet, and increase the heat to medium. Stir in the onion and garlic and season with a pinch or two of salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion softens.
Stir in the celery and carrot, and continue cooking for another few minutes.
Finally, stir in the grated apple, dried cranberries (or raisins), thyme, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Cook for a couple minutes longer.
Into the bowl with the mashed lentils, stir in the walnuts, ground flax, oat flour, and bread crumbs until combined.
Stir in all of the the veggie mixture until combined. Add the red pepper flakes, if using. Taste and add more salt (I usually add another 1/2 teaspoon). If the mixture seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of water and mix again.
Press all of the lentil loaf mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Pack it down as firmly as you can as this will help it hold together after cooling.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, applesauce, vinegar, and maple syrup until combined. Using a pastry brush (or simply a spoon), spread all of the glaze over top of the lentil loaf.
Bake the lentil loaf, uncovered, at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes until the edges start to darken and the loaf is semi-firm to the touch. Place the loaf pan directly onto a cooling rack for 15 minutes. Then, slide a knife around the ends to loosen, and carefully lift out the loaf (using the parchment paper as "handles") and place it directly onto the cooling rack for another 30 minutes.
After cooling, carefully slice the loaf into slabs. Serve immediately. The loaf will continue to firm up as it cools. Some crumbling is normal if sliced while warm.
Tips:
* If you'd like to make lentils from scratch, swap the two cans of lentils for 1 cup of uncooked lentils. Add the lentils into a pot and cover with water. Bring to a low boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-high, and then simmer the lentils uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes until tender. Drain well.
