Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Lentil Loaf

This January I am returning to a semi-Vegetarian diet. When I moved up north I started eating a lot of meat. I don't know why. Most of my old cookbooks are for vegetarian menus.

I am not fanatical about the diet. If I go to someone's house I eat what I am served and am grateful for it. Or if I have a craving for a roasted chicken I will cook it.

I first came upon this recipe in a British cookbook written in WWII when meat was scarce. Basically the same as a meat loaf using lentils instead of hamburg.

3/4-1 cup lentils
1 onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 TBS oil
1 tsp thyme
4 oz ground walnuts or almonds
4 oz breadcrumbs
1 tbs tomato paste (I use ketchup)
1 tbs parsley
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste

Cook lentils in water to cover 40 minutes or until tender. Be SURE lentils are tender or you will have a crunchy loaf. Drain water.

Fry onion and garlic in oil till tender and lightly browned. Stir in thyme. Remove from heat and add lentils, walnuts, bread crumbs, tomato past, parsley and egg. Mix well.

Place in loaf pan. Cover. Bake 1/2 hour for a small loaf.

For a larger loaf increase lentils to 1-1 1/2 cups and bake 45-50 minutes.

Note: a small loaf is enough for a two person meal. For me it makes about 4 meals.

To make a roux type gravy. 2 TBS butter melted. Whisk in 2 TBS flour. Add one cup warm liquid such as milk, vegetable broth or water. Whisk until thickens. Add various extras such as a dash of soy sauce, minced onions, herbs whatever you like to flavor the gravy.

9 comments:

Annie said...

This looks yummy. I have not had meat since I was 13 :-).
Can't eat the critters, hurts my heart.
Thank you for the recipe.
xoxo

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This is just what I needed. A new recipe that I can use almonds in. We received a 3#bag of almonds and I didn't know what I was going to do with all those almonds. Besides this time of year I get tired of eating all the things I usually make. Thanks Suki.

Lynn Cohen said...

I am so not a cook any more...was I ever? But if I came to your home and was served this I would be ever so grateful!

~Babs said...

This looks very yummy!
I wouldn't make a very good vegetarian. I get steak cravings. Not to mention that The Boyfriend's stomach would think his throat had been cut!
But good for you,,,,I mean I'm sure it's a lot more heart healthy.

kj said...

i had a roommate who whose parents brought up vegetarian and he snuck eating fish from them. i still laugh when i think of that.

it's a healthy diet. i eat meat but not too much red meat. if i ever stopped altogether, i would only miss thanksgiving dinner. and i'm sure i could compensate just fine.

best wishes, suki, stay warm now!

Unknown said...

I think I will try this ... I love that it's a WWII recipe

Mim said...

it's sounds yummy and ever so good for you

PeaceGardenSu said...

yum

Robin said...

Methinks I may try this! Like Lynn, I am not much of a cook these days.....and I do eat fish and white meat...but, do eat vegetarian a lot. This looks easy enough for me to make!

Thank you for sharing - the accompanying photo is great!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥