Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Food

VEGAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Sauté the onion and garlic for about 2 minutes. Then add the chopped carrots and cook them for another 3 minutes.
• Put about 6 tablespoons of the cooked lentils aside. Put all of the ingredients except for the spices into a blender or food processor and blend until you have a sticky but chunky mixture. It's very important that you make sure to not overdo it, so the vegan meatloaf will still have some texture.
• Add the remaining lentils and season with thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
• Place the mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure to let the parchment paper overlap the loaf pan, so it's easier to remove the lentil loaf once it's done.
• Bake the vegan meatloaf for 30 minutes. In the meantime make the tomato glaze. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well.
• After the 30 minutes of baking time are over, take the vegan meatloaf out of the oven and evenly spread the tomato glaze on top. Then return it to the oven and bake it for another 15 minutes at 350 °F.
• Allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully lift it out with the parchment paper. Slice and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.

VEGAN LENTIL NUT "MEAT" LOAF

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a standard loaf pan (or 8x8-inch baking pan) with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron or metal skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and mushrooms and season with a pinch each salt and pepper and the coconut aminos or vegan Worcestershire. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes or until caramelized. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat another large cast-iron or metal skillet (or use the same one as you cooked the mushrooms in) over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and arrange sweet potatoes in as even of a layer as possible. Then cover and cook for 4 minutes or until golden brown on the underside. Flip, add 3 Tbsp (45 ml) water, and cover. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until tender and browned (but not mushy). Set aside uncovered to cool slightly.
• To a large (at least 7-cup) food processor, add nuts and pulse a few times into a loose meal. Then add sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and thyme, and pulse to combine. Lastly, add lentils, salt, and pepper and pulse to loosely combine but be careful not to purée.
• Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and add tomato paste and coconut aminos or vegan Worcestershire and stir until a loose dough forms. Then add bread crumbs (we like Ian's gluten-free panko) a little at a time (we used all of the recommended amount) until a thick dough forms. If for some reason it's crumbly (which may happen depending on the texture of your lentils), scoop half of the mixture back into the food processor and pulse until it's more finely puréed and then return back to the bowl and stir with the remaining mixture. If for some reason it's too wet, add more bread crumbs as needed.
• Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more tomato paste for added moisture / tomato flavor, coconut aminos or vegan Worcestershire for depth of flavor, salt for saltiness, or thyme to taste.
• Transfer the mixture to the parchment-lined loaf pan, spread, and press into an even layer (to avoid a crumbly loaf, tap pan on counter to settle the mixture and place parchment paper on top and press down firmly with a drinking glass or flat bottomed object to pack it well). Then add ketchup glaze (optional but adds plenty of flavor) and spread into an even layer. If not using the glaze, brush the top with a little oil to help the loaf retain moisture.
• Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and slightly dry to the touch. Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes in the pan. Then gently remove and carefully slice and serve.
• Leftovers keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator or 1 month in the freezer. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350-F (176 C) oven until warmed through.

ULTIMATE LENTIL WALNUT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). 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 (180°C).
• 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 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 (180°C) 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.

VEGAN LENTIL LOAF

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
• Prepare lentils by rinsing them and adding to a pot with water and a bay leaf. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat down and simmer covered until all the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf and set the lentils aside to cool. This step can be done in advance.
• In the meantime toast walnuts by spreading them onto a baking sheet and toasting in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a medium sauté pan and cook onions, garlic, carrots and celery until they've softened and become fragrant. About 5-10 minutes. Once cooked remove from stovetop to cool.
• Add lentils (reserve ½ cup for later), cooked veggies, toasted walnuts, oats, tamari, tomato paste, ground flaxseed, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, thyme, oregano, basil, cayenne pepper, ground pepper and sea salt to the food processor. Pulse until mixture is just combined and the texture is to your liking. You want the mixture to be combined enough to stick together, but you don't want it to be completely pulverized.
• Stir in the reserved lentils and press mixture into parchment lined loaf pan. I used a 9" x 5" x 2½".
• In a small bowl stir together glaze ingredients and spread the glaze over top of the loaf.
• Bake covered with foil for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for about 8 more minutes. Let the loaf rest 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
• Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Or freeze for up to 1 month.

VEGAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350
• Chop onion, celery, mushrooms, red pepper, and carrot (diced). I used the small blade on my favorite vegetable chopper.
• In a large skillet, cook onion, garlic, mushrooms, carrots and celery, and salt and pepper until browned. (You may use a little vegetable broth to avoid sticking )
• In a food processor, pulse the prepared lentils, quick oats, flaxseed, bread crumbs, cooked vegetables, tomato paste, bbq sauce, mustard, and parsley in a food processor.
• The finished product should be chunky; do not over Pulse.
• Use a silicone backing or placed parchment paper in the base of a glass loaf pan. If you don't have a loaf pan, you may form the dough into a loaf shape on a cookie sheet.
• Place dough into the loaf pan and gently press the top to form a bread shape on top.
• Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 35 minutes, covered.
• Uncover after 35 minutes, and drizzle additional bbq sauce on top.
• Return to oven for 10 minutes uncovered.
• Remove from oven; recover and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
• I find it easier to remove it from the pan before cutting.

HEARTY VEGAN LENTIL MUSHROOM LOAF

Steps:

• Cook lentils according to package instructions.
• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
• In a non-stick pan, sauté onion, garlic and mushrooms in a splash of water, stirring frequently.
• After a few minutes, add the soy sauce and carrot. Keep cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated.
• Transfer the cooked lentils along with the sautéed vegetables and the rest of the ingredients for the loaf into a food processor.
• Pulse a few times to incorporate and be sure not to over-process the mixture! It should still be textured, not smooth.
• Put the lentil mushroom batter into your prepared loaf pan and pack it down firmly to make sure it stays together.
• Combine all ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl and mix together. Spread it over the top of your lentil mushroom loaf, then place it into the oven for 45 minutes.
• Once this time has elapsed, remove the lentil loaf from the oven and set it aside to cool for 10 minutes before taking it out of the pan and cutting it into slices.

VEGAN MEATLOAF #2

Steps:

• Pick through the lentils and discard any sticks or pebbles. Rinse in a strainer and add to a pot along with 6 cups of water and a few dashes of the vegan worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the lentils are done.
• While those are cooking, chop the vegetables and cook the rice. Pulse the cashews in a food processor until they resemble a coarse meal.
• Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions, celery and carrots and saute until softened.
• When the letils are done cooking, drain them and add them to a large mixing bowl along with the rest of the ingredients. Use a potato masher to mix and mash everything together. If it seems too wet, add more rice or flaxseed meal. If it seems to dry, add some vegetable broth.
• Pour the mix into the baking dish and smooth it out. Place in the oven for 1 hour. Let the loaf cool for 10 minutes before serving. Either slice and serve out of the dish, or flip it over onto a platter and serve. Goes great with a baked potato, steamed veggies and a side salad.

BEST VEGAN LENTIL LOAF

Steps:

• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Chop garlic cloves, onion and carrot in very small pieces.
• Sauté garlic and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until fragrant. Then add onion and carrot and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
• Chop shallots and add it to the other vegetables. Cook for two more minutes.
• Place the cooked vegetables in a big bowl and add 2 cups of the cooked lentils. Using a hand blender, puree the vegetable/lentil mixture until it forms a smooth paste. Then add walnuts and blend again. This can be done with a food processor as well.
• Add all the spices, the rest of the lentils, breadcrumbs, the flaxseed egg, 1 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and salt and stir to combine.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing with a spoon to get a compact loaf.
• For the glaze, whisk all the ingredients together and spread it with a spoon over the top of the loaf.
• Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until golden brown on the edges.

VEGAN LENTIL LOAF

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions.
• Make a flax egg by mixing 1 tbsp of flax meal with 2 1/2 tbsp of water and set aside for at least 5 minutes.
• Boil lentils in 2 quarts of water for 18 minutes, then drain.
• While the lentils are cooking, dice 2 onions, and saute them in olive oil over low heat.
• Sprinkle the onions with 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp poultry seasoning, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Continue to saute over low heat for 10-12 minutes until translucent.
• Add 2 cups cooked rice, cooked lentils, cooked onions (and/or other cooked veggies), 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp salt, and flax egg to a food processor and pulse a few times until everything is combined and partially mashed together.
• Fill an oiled bread loaf pan with the mixture and pack it down tightly.
• Top with ketchup or other sauce.
• Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 1 hour.
• Allow cooling for about 15 minutes before slicing.

VEGAN LENTIL MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Add dry lentils and vegetable broth to a medium sauce pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Simmer until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain the cooked lentils.
• Add roughly chopped onion and mushrooms to a food processor with a standard blade attachment. Pulse until mostly broken down into tiny pieces but not pureed.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, drizzle in olive oil. Add the mushrooms, onions, and salt. Cook 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add walnuts to the food processor. Pulse until mostly broken down, then add to the skillet with the tomato paste. Cook another 2 minutes.
• In the food processor, pulse together the cooked lentils and chickpeas until mostly broken down. They should be crumbly but not a paste. Set aside. Make oat flour by blending or processing rolled oats until fine. Combine ground flax and water in a small bowl to make a flax egg. Let rest 5 minutes before using.
• To a large mixing bowl, add the mushroom mixture, lentils, chickpeas, oat flour, light brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, nutritional yeast, oregano, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and flax eggs. Stir until well combined.
• Transfer the filling to a lightly oiled 9x5x3 (or similarly sized) loaf pan. Form into a loaf shape. Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes, until golden on top.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from the bread pan. Gently turn out onto a clean surface. Use your hands to lightly press the loaf together so that it is perfectly shaped and firm.
• Mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush the loaf with the sauce. Slice and enjoy!

VEGAN LENTIL MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook and stir until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, mushroom mixture, cooked lentils, bread crumbs, almond milk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, flaxseed meal, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until just combined; do not overblend and work in batches if needed. Press mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Brush top with remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 45 minutes.