Can Lentils Change How We Think About Meatloaf? | Vegan and Vegetarian Meal Ideas

nutritional yeast

🥗Healthier: brewer's yeast

💰Cheaper: parmesan cheese

Brewer's yeast is a good source of B vitamins.

flaxseed

🥗Healthier: chia seeds

💰Cheaper: ground flaxseed

Chia seeds can provide similar binding properties.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive.

bell pepper

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Cabbage is a budget-friendly alternative.

Add lentils to a pot and cover with water, adding a bay leaf and a pinch of salt.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and let cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.

Remove the bay leaf and stir the lentils once cooked.

If short on time, use canned lentils instead, draining and rinsing them.

Preheat the oven and prepare the vegetables by chopping celery, carrots, garlic, and onion.

Toast walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then set aside.

In the same skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil and add chopped onions, celery, and carrots; sauté for 3-5 minutes until bright in color.

Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove from heat.

In a food processor, combine cooked lentils (reserving 1/2 cup), toasted walnuts, and all seasonings including tomato paste, flax seeds, oats, ketchup, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar; pulse until blended but not pureed.

Stir in the reserved lentils for texture, ensuring the mixture is sticky enough to hold together.

Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving excess for handles, and transfer the mixture into the pan, pressing down to fill all corners.

Cover the loaf with foil or a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Prepare the glaze by mixing ketchup, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.

Remove the loaf from the oven, apply the glaze carefully using a silicone brush, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to caramelize.

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