Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf
by jenna on June 15, 2010
I’m just going to say up front that I don’t really do meatloaf. Just the name MEATLOAF really turns me off and the idea of compacted meat in a loaf pan, the same loaf pan that bears me sweet fragrant yeast breads, straight gives me the willies.
I just don’t know why.
However, in the spirit of consuming anything and everything lentils, I decided to do a little experiment this evening. I read a bunch of different vegetarian cookbooks and compared and contrasted recipes for a vegetarian form of meatloaf made with lentils instead of the usual ground beef and pork. To be honest, it didn’t really sound appetizing and being even more honest, I’m quite sick of legumes right now. But still, the show must go on and what better way to spend a late Tuesday afternoon than making a lentil walnut loaf?
For this recipe I did a little of this, a little of that. Threw in what I had from home and topped everything off with toasted walnuts and a sweet tomato glaze. And you know? It actually turned out really, really good. Perhaps even fantastic? You’ll have to be the judge of that. As for me, I sat in awe and silence, forking bite after bite into my mouth in awe that lentils in a loaf form could possibly be one stroke short of genius.
So, here we go. Start off by simmering 1 cup of dried lentils with 3 cups of vegetable broth and a wee bit of salt.
It’ll take about 25 minutes for the lentils to become tender and absorb the broth. Keep the heat on medium and stir every now and again but don’t go crazy with it. Meanwhile, prepare your veggies.
Chop up one large yellow onion and one stalk celery.
Grate one carrot for good measure.
And then heat up two tablespoons of olive oil in your skillet. Previously, we’ve mastered caramelizing onions. Don’t do that tonight. Simply saute the onions and the celery for about six minutes, or until both are tender. Keep the heat on medium low so you don’t burn your britches. Now, add the grated carrot and two tsp minced garlic.
Stir to combine and cook for about four minutes. It will definitely look like bunny food. No doubt about it. Now add 1 tsp dried oregano, and a healthy pinch of sea salt and pepper.
While you’ve got that goin’ on the stove, toast 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. I do this in a 350 degree oven for about six minutes. Be careful but not paranoid….if one nut particle burns, simply toss it in the trash and move on.
Then, make a flax egg. To do this, combine three tbsp ground flax with 1/2 cup water. Stir and set aside.
Once the nuts are toasted, dump ’em in with the onion/carrot/celery/garlic mixture.
Transfer everything to a large bowl and add the cooked lentils and one cup dry breadcrumbs. Here, I’m using Panko crumbs, which are my favorite. Add your flax egg and stir well. It’s not pretty folks but this is a process. The end is in sight. Stick with me.
Dump everything in a greased loaf pan and press down.
Then, make the glaze. In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp ketchup with 1 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Mix well. Spread over the top of the loaf.
Bake the loaf at 350 for 40 minutes and then when you pull it out, this magically appears!
Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf
makes 1 loaf to serve 6 people
Print this recipe!
Ingredients:
1 cup green lentils
3 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 large yellow onion
1 large carrot
1 stalk celery
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3 tbsp ground flax mixed with 1/2 cup water OR 1 egg white
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
for topping—
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and 1/2 cup water. Set aside.
Simmer together the lentils, broth and a pinch of salt for about 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender and have absorbed all the broth.
Meanwhile, prepare your veggies. Chop the onion, grate the carrot and dice the celery. Saute the onion and celery in the olive oil over medium high heat for six minutes, or until
tender, not caramelized. Add the garlic and carrot and cook for about another four minutes.
Toast the walnuts in the oven for six to seven minutes. Add them to the onion/carrot/garlic mixture on the stove and stir well.
Add the oregano, salt and pepper as well and then take the mixture off the stove and transfer to a large bowl.
Add the breadcrumbs, flax/water (or egg white) and cooked lentils and toss well. Press mixture into a greased loaf pan and set aside while you make the topping.
In another small bowl combine the ketchup, maple syrup and vinegar. Spread on top of loaf. Bake for 40 minutes and then out on a plate.
Leftovers make great sandwich stuffers!
Other What’s Cooking Tonight recipes:
Poached Eggs
Homestyle Turkey Chili
Roasted Broccoli and Corn Frittata
Channa Masala
Pin ItTagged as: Cooking, Dinner, healthy, leftover perfection, vegan
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{ 145 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely delicious! I’ve already bookmarked it…I can’t wait to test it out on my family!
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Sounds delish! I’ve been on a lentil bender lately – it’ll be very good to try something other than soup!
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I looooove lentil meatloaf. This reminds me to make my recipe sometime soon. I love that there’s always leftovers, too!
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This is great! I love meatloaf. I think this is the best lentil recipe yet…anyways, I’m far too full to be talking about food right now.
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This lentil meatloaf looks amazing. Sabrina already had me craving lentils, not this…YUM!
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I too am quite unsure when I hear the words ‘meatloaf’ but boy oh boy does this version sound wonderful!!! I love the maple glaze too!
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WOW!!! That looks like a great-tasting, healthy dish!!! Thanks for the recipe!
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Wow that sounds AMAZING. I don’t really “do” meatloaf either, but lentil walnut loaf is different in my book.
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That sounds great! It seems like a lot of work just to make it for myself but if I ever need something to take to a potluck I might try it. I’ve never actually tried meatloaf because I stopped eating meat at a really young age. For some reason though, I always thought I would like it.
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Woah! What a great idea!
I’m pretty traumatised of meatloaf from a low-carbs recipe back in the days (shame on me), but I’m willing to try this one!
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There is a restaurant here in San Diego that serves vegan and vegetarian meatloaf (called Neatloaf) and it is amazing! Your recipe reminds me a lot of that!
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Wow! This looks great!
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This sounds incredible! I need to make this this week!
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I’ve only ever liked my mom’s meatloaf and of course I don’t have the recipe for that….but I’m willing to try this! It sounds yummy. I made a really good lentil “chili” this week (you’ve inspired me to try these little guys out), so I’m sure it will be great! Thanks for sharing all the steps. Hope you sleep well tonight.
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Oh, I definitely need to try that!!
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The lentil loaf looks delicious!!
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I love lentil loafs! I tried one that Kath posted a while ago on her site, and it was great. This recipe looks similar but fantastic in its own way! So many healthy things in a nice package.
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Love the lentil recipe Jenna! I never know what in the world to do with them except make soup! Thanks for sharing
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I’ve never had meatloaf, and don’t plan to. This on the other hand, sounds right up my alley. Veggies represent!
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Lentil loaf sounds really disgusting but that looks fantastic. I think the glaze just manages to push it into my “to make” files!
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i feel the same way you do about meatloaf. heebie jeebies. no thank ya.
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YUM! Jenna, that lentil loaf looks great! I love lentil loaf & think that I must try my had legume loaves 😉
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I was gonna make meatloaf THURSDAY…woo hoo..you got me all excited now!
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Ummm…WOW! That Lentil Loaf looks incredible! I know what I’m making Friday night. Thanks