Delicious Vegetarian Nut Loaf Recipe for Meatless Mondays
Dear fan of delicious food,
Are you always on the hunt for the best vegetarian nut roast recipe? Look no further, because I’m about to share with you my favorite recipe for vegetarian nut loaf that will leave your taste buds in awe.
This recipe incorporates a variety of nuts and wholesome ingredients to create a wholesome and flavorful combination. From lentils to garlic cloves, mushrooms, celery, leek, onion, olive oil, and fresh herbs – this nut loaf is full of unique flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Say goodbye to boring and tasteless vegan dishes and say hello to a show-stopping centerpiece for any dinner party. Trust me when I say that this nut roast is not only suitable for vegetarians and vegans but also perfect for anyone who enjoys healthy and tasty dishes.
So come on, let’s push the boundaries on what a vegetarian nut roast can be. Get ready to enjoy the most satisfying meal with your loved ones.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegetarian nut loaf recipe is the best thing you will ever have on your dinner table. It is savory, hearty, and bursting with flavors that will make your taste buds dance. Unlike traditional meatloaf, this nut loaf recipe is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for anyone who wants to try something new, healthy, and delicious.
What makes this recipe unique is its combination of fresh herbs and nuts, including finely chopped walnuts, cashews, pecans, and lentils. These ingredients are mixed in with garlic cloves, mushrooms, celery, leek, and onion – all sautéed beautifully in olive oil to create a fragrant base for the loaf. The addition of whole wheat flour and eggs binds all the ingredients together while adding a bit of texture to the final product.
Not only is this vegetarian nut loaf recipe perfect for a quick weeknight meal, but it’s also a great option for holiday gatherings like Christmas dinner. Serve it with a salsa rossa or creamy cashew sauce for an extra boost of flavor. Plus, it’s versatile – use different nuts or fresh herbs to switch up the taste and add variety.
So if you’re tired of the same old meatloaf recipe and want to try something new without sacrificing flavor or texture, give this nut roast recipe a try. Trust me; it’s the best vegetarian nut roast you’ll ever have!
Ingredient List
Before we start preparing the Vegetarian Nut Loaf, let’s gather all the ingredients we will need. Don’t worry; it’s nothing fancy. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already!
For the Vegetable Mix
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup leek, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
For the Nut Mix
- 2 cups mixed nuts ( walnuts, pecans and cashews )
- 5 slices whole wheat bread
- 3/4 cup milk or vegetable broth (if vegan)
- 2 Tbsp fresh herbs of your choice ( thyme, sage or rosemary), finely chopped
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
For Binding
- 3 eggs (for vegan nut roast use vegan egg substitutes like flax eggs)
- 1 1/2 cups flour (for gluten-free use almond flour or oat flour)
That’s it! We are ready to move on to the next section.
The Recipe How-To
Now it’s time to get your hands dirty, quite literally! This recipe is easy-peasy, requiring a bit of chopping and mixing but nothing else that will try your culinary skills. Trust me, you can absolutely ace this vegetarian nut loaf recipe without putting much effort into it.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups finely chopped mixed nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds or any nuts use prefer)
- 1 ½ cups lentils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 leek, finely chopped
- 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped
- 4 oz. or roughly ten mushrooms in any kind, sliced
- A handful of fresh herbs (sage and rosemary work well), chopped
Instructions:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Cook lentils according to the instructions on the packaging.
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Heat up olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for five minutes until softened.
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Add garlic, leeks, celery and mushrooms into the frying pan with onions with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another ten minutes until they turn fragrant.
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In a mixing bowl, add mixed nuts to the boiled lentils and stir well
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Stir in cooked onion mixture and fresh herbs into mixing bowl with lentils and mixed nuts.
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Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour into mixing bowl and mix everything together until ingredients are fully combined.
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Transfer the batter to a medium-sized greased loaf pan.
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Bake in preheated oven until firm to the touch from about 45 minutes to an hour
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Remove from oven and set aside for ten minutes before removing from pan
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Slice nut roast as thick or thin desired.
This vegan nut roast is delicious served either warm or cold making it perfect for dinner parties or lunchboxes as well as Christmas dinner where it really shines!
Substitutions and Variations
Now, if you want to get creative, there are plenty of ways to switch up this vegetarian nut loaf recipe. Here are some suggestions:
1. Replace lentils with black beans or chickpeas for a slightly different texture and flavor.
2. Swap out the mushrooms for sautéed zucchini or eggplant.
3. Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version, or try using almond flour for a nuttier flavor.
4. Instead of cheese, use nut-based cheeses like cashew cheese or vegan parmesan.
5. Add in some veggies like shredded carrots, chopped bell pepper or roasted sweet potato to boost the nutrient content.
6. Experiment with different fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, to give the loaf a unique taste.
7. For a spicy kick, add in some diced jalapeno or crushed red pepper flakes.
8. Make it into mini muffin tin loaves to create fun individual-sized servings.
Whether you want to make this recipe your own by swapping out ingredients or adding in new ones entirely, don’t be afraid to experiment! The possibilities are endless and there’s no wrong way to make a delicious vegetarian nut loaf.
Serving and Pairing
Now that we’ve got the vegetarian nut loaf recipe down to perfection, it’s time to talk about how to serve and pair this delicious dish. This savory loaf has a hearty and rich flavor that pairs well with many different sides, sauces, and toppings.
To start, I recommend serving the loaf hot – fresh from the oven. The crust will be crispy while the inside is moist and cake-like. It’s a fabulous main dish option for vegetarians or anyone who wants to add more plant-based foods into their diet.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy this loaf is with a side of mashed sweet potatoes or roasted vegetables. The sweetness of the potatoes is the perfect companion to the rich nutty flavor of the dish. Roasted root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and beets are also an excellent pairing as their caramelized flavors match the savory notes.
If you prefer a lighter side, consider serving it with a leafy green salad or some steamed seasonal vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus. The contrast in textures is quite enjoyable.
For those who like sauces and dressings, salsa rossa or gravy makes for an excellent choice. The spicy tomato flavor of salsa rossa cuts through the richness of the nuts while traditional gravy adds an extra layer of warmth and coziness.
Also, you can slice leftovers cold for tasty sandwiches topped with fresh herb leaves, vegan mayo or cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Delicious!
Overall whether served fresh from the oven piping hot or sliced thin later for sandwich making – this nut roast recipe is sure to be a star on your table!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As someone who loves to meal prep and save time, I always appreciate recipes that can be made in advance. The Vegetarian Nut Loaf Recipe is one such dish that can be prepared ahead of time and stored for later use.
To make ahead, you can prepare the loaf up to two days before serving. Simply bake it as instructed, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
If you have leftovers or want to make a bigger batch for later use, the Nut Loaf Recipe stores well in the fridge for up to five days. To store, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container.
Reheating is simple—a great way to reheat this nut roast is by slicing it into pieces and reheating them in a skillet with some olive oil over low heat. You can also warm individual slices in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
The best part about making this vegetarian nut loaf recipe ahead of time is that it allows all the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even tastier dish when you serve it later. So get your meal-prep game on and make yourself a delicious vegetarian nut loaf!
Tips for Perfect Results
If you want a perfect vegetarian nut roast, here are some tips to help you achieve it.
First, choose fresh and high-quality ingredients. Fresh herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, and cumin can give your nut loaf a delicious aroma and flavor. Use fresh garlic cloves, mushrooms, celery, leek, and onions to add more depth of flavor to the mixture.
Secondly, make sure your nuts are well-chopped or ground. Nuts that are too big can affect the texture of the nut roast, while those that are too fine can result in a dense and dry texture. A combination of chopped walnuts, cashews, almonds or pecans can add different textures and tastes to the nut roast.
Thirdly, mix all ingredients well but avoid over mixing the flour, egg and cheese which will create gluten development – primarily, the gluten will toughen up the loaf. Just gently mix everything together until it’s just right… this way your vegetarian nut roast will stay juicy and moist throughout.
Fourthly, don’t skip resting time after baking. Allow the baked vegetarian nut loaf to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the loaf to firm up so it’s easier to slice without falling apart.
Finally, do not hesitate to experiment with substitutions and variations for an even greater taste experience. You can try adding lentils for extra protein or using vegan butter instead of olive oil for a richer flavor.
Follow these simple tips and you’ll have a vegetarian nut roast that is full of flavor with perfect texture that is bound to impress at any occasion.
Bottom Line
this article with a strong call to action, urging readers to give this Vegetarian Nut Loaf recipe a try. With its mix of delicious ingredients like lentils, fresh herbs, and mixed nuts, this dish is one of the best vegetarian nut roast recipes you’ll ever come across. And if you are looking for an alternative to traditional meatloaf or a vegan option for Christmas dinner, this mushroom walnut roast or nut loaf cashews recipe could be your perfect choice.
So go ahead and experiment with this recipe using different nuts like pecans or cashews or add a twist by adding vegan cheese or eggs. Create something that is unique to your taste bud but trust me, with the right techniques and ingredients, it will never disappoint.
This nut roast recipe is not only easy to make but also has numerous variations, making it a versatile dish that you can eat for any occasion- whether it’s lunch or dinner, a family get-together or just a casual meal. So why wait? Grab those ingredients and let’s get cooking! Enjoy this tasty vegetarian nut loaf recipe and let us know how it turns out in the comments section below.
Vegetarian Nut Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 leek, thinly sliced
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 225 g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 425 g lentils, drained
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 50 g flour
- 50 g cheese, grated
- 1 egg, medium size
- salt & pepper, to taste
- fresh herb, a handful chopped
Instructions
- Heat oven to 190°C.
- Heat the oil and gently fry the onion, leek, celery, mushrooms and garlic for about 10 minutes until softened.
- Add the remainder of ingredients and mix well.
- Pour into a loaf tin that has been greased and lined with baking paper.
- Bake 50 - 60 minutes, or until cooked.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.