Thanksgiving Lentil Loaf Food

VEGAN LENTIL QUINOA LOAF

Steps:

• Combine lentils, bay leaf and water in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Wash the quinoa, add to the pan, partially cover and continue to cook until both are very tender and easily mashed (You want to slightly over cook the lentils). Stir after 10 minutes so they don't stick to the pan. Total 10 to 15 mins . *Drain any excess water, remove bay leaf and transfer to a bowl.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and jalapeno and cook for 5 minutes. or until translucent
• Add celery, carrots, thyme, oregano, and mix well. Cook for 5 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Add in the raisins, and mix . Cook for 2 minutes. Take off heat.
• Add the cooked veggies and flaxmeal to the bowl and mix in. Mash the mixture using potato masher or hands, so that atleast half the lentils and quinoa get well mashed. (you still want some whole lentils)
• Add in the sauces, tahini, nutritional yeast, fennel seeds and mix well. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more sauces, herbs and salt if needed.
• Add breadcrumbs or coarsely ground oats and mix in. (To check if the mixture is the right consistency, make a burger patty. If the mixture is too sticky or pasty, add more breadcrumbs. If it is too crumbly and doesn't stick easily, add some wet ingredients or a flax egg)
• Prepare the loaf pan with parchment lined with parchment edges over the pan. Medium bread loaf pan(8.5 by 4.75 inch)
• Press the mixture into the pan. Pack well and even it out.
• Make the glaze and spread over the top of the loaf.
• Cover the loaf with foil and bake at 375 degrees / 190ºc for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

NUTTY LENTIL LOAF

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, cook the lentils in the water until soft, about 45 minutes.
• Drain and set aside.
• Cook the onion and garlic in the oil, stirring, until the onion is translucent.
• Add the carrots and celery.
• Simmer, covered, until the carrots are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Let cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the lentils, vegetable mixture and remaining ingredients.
• (In response to the loaf being a little dry, you could add in about 1/8 cup broth or cooking water here to make it moister).
• Spoon into an oiled loaf pan.
• Bake until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Serve warm.
• (Or let the loaf cool and wrap it in foil for transport. On the trail, slice and serve loaf as is, or use the slices in sandwiches.).