Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf Food

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.

LENTIL WALNUT "NO MEAT" LOAF

Steps:

• Method: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 8-9 inch loaf pan with oil or cooking spray and set aside.
• Bring vegetable broth to a boil and add lentils. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender and most or all of the liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid and transfer to a large bowl to cool. Note: It' important to let them cool or they will be too mushy when mashed.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet and add onion and celery, saute over medium heat 3 minutes. Add potatoes, garlic, poultry seasoning, and pepper and continue cooking 3-5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat.
• With a potato masher, mash cooled lentils (not to the point of being pureed). Add vegetable mixture and continue to mash to combine. Next add the remaining ingredients and mix in - using your hands works best.
• Transfer to loaf pan and press the mixture in, smoothing out the top so it's even.
• Bake for 25-30minutes or until top and edges look lightly browned.