Now that fall is officially upon us, it is time to break out some serious comfort food recipes. You really can’t get more comforting than a lentil loaf. If you haven’t had one, this is a must try. If you used to eat meat or still do it has a lot of the flavorings and steps of a meatloaf without the meat. This one is on my list of recipes to bring to the Thanksgiving table this year.

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Vegan Lentil Loaf

Inspired by About.com – Vegetarian Lentil Loaf

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(serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• flax eggs (3 Tbsp ground flax + 1/4 cup warm water)
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (I use panko crumbs – the best)
• Approximately 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce or ketchup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

To cook the lentils: combine lentils and vegetable broth in a large saucepan and simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are soft.

Chop onion, garlic, and carrots. Heat olive oil in skillet and add onions and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes then add carrots and seasonings. Simmer for a few more minutes until seasoning is well combined.

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Combine 3 Tbsp and 1/4 cup warm water and set aside for 10 minutes to make flax egg.

Blend 3/4 of the cooked lentils in the blender then combine mashed lentils, remaining whole lentils, onions, garlic, carrots, flax egg, walnuts, and breadcrumbs together.

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Mash together with a spoon then dig in with your hands. Mix together into a ball and place in glass dish. Shape into a loaf.

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Glaze barbecue or ketchup over the top of the loaf. Cook in oven for 45 minutes. Take out and put on cooling rack for 5-10 minutes before serving. This step is key in making sure the loaf holds together. (I learned this part the hard way when my first one fell apart)

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I really enjoy the taste and texture of lentil loaf. It can be paired perfectly with mashed potatoes or mixed greens. My personal favorite is smashed cauliflower. NOM!

Alternately, I have looked at a few recipes that use oat flour or rice as well the loaf. Feel free to give this a shot if you would like. I thought it would be a bit too much for my taste.

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This marks the last week of Vegan MoFo and our time together has been oh so fun! I hope you still around and subscribe to my blog! To kick off November and National Vegan Day on November 1st I will be doing a Virtual Vegan Potluck! I am beyond words excited so please check back and join myself and 100 other bloggers in all of the fun!