Vegetable Lentil Loaf
A hearty and flavorful plant-based dish that combines lentils and fresh vegetables, perfect for comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup dry lentils (green or brown) Use brown lentils for hearty texture.
- 2.5 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds) Acts as a binding agent, can substitute with chia seeds.
- 1/3 cup water Used to make the flax egg.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Use water for steam sautéing if oil-free.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small carrot, finely diced or grated
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 3/4 cup oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour or finely ground oats Can substitute with almond flour for gluten-free.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
- 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper (optional)
- Cracked pepper & sea salt, to taste
Glaze Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons organic ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or balsamic
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse the lentils and remove any odd pieces. In a large pot, add vegetable broth and lentils, bringing them to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool and thicken afterwards.
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat.
- Combine flaxseed meal and water in a bowl, then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic, onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery for about 5 minutes until softened. Mix in spices and let cool slightly.
- Using an immersion blender, fork, or potato masher, blend about 3/4 of the lentil mixture until smooth, adding a bit more broth if necessary.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, the mashed lentils, oats, oat flour, and flax egg. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Press the mixture into a greased loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, vinegar, and maple syrup. Spread this glaze over the top of the loaf.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The loaf should be firm to the touch and lightly browned.
- Let the loaf cool slightly before slicing. Serve it warm.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also prep the mixture a day in advance.