This complete vegetarian protein Quinoa Lentil Loaf is packed with mouth-watering savory nutrition, and enhanced with just a touch of natural sweetness.
Rinse lentils in cold water and drain. Combine rinsed lentils, bay leaf and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook partially covered for 30 minutes, until lentils are soft and starting to break apart.
Rinse the quinoa, and then add it to the saucepan with the lentils. Partially cover, and continue to cook for 15 minutes until quinoa is soft. Add more water if needed. The best is to have no water left in the end. If water remains, drain it off. Remove the bay leaf and set lentils and quinoa aside until needed.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and green chili or jalapeño, and sauté for 5 minutes. or until translucent. Add celery, carrots, green pepper, thyme, oregano, and salt, and stir well. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the veggies are just tender. Add the raisins and cook for 2 minutes. Add a little extra water if it's getting too dry. Turn off the heat and set aside until needed.
In a large bowl, add the tomato paste, mustard, and soy sauce and mix well. Add the prepared lentils and quinoa, as well as the prepared vegetable sauté, chopped nuts, and optional ground flax seeds, and mix well. If it's too wet, add breadcrumbs or gluten-free oats to achieve a consistency that is not too dry or too wet.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper. Press the prepared loaf mixture into the pan and trim the edges of the parchment paper with scissors so it does not extend above the edges of the baking dish.
Prepare the glaze by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and stirring well. Pour it over the loaf and spread it evenly.
Bake uncovered for 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until the glaze is set with a matte finish, and it smells divine. Let it rest for 15 minutes before cutting.
To serve
This lentil loaf is perfect as a vegetarian dinner main course, but it would also be wonderful as a burrito or sandwich filling. You could also try it warmed on toast with a side of greens for a hearty breakfast.
Notes
This recipe can easily be prepared a day in advance. Prepare the loaf and press it into the pan, and keep the prepared glaze separate in the fridge. When you are ready to bake, spread on the glaze and pop it into the oven.Ground flax seeds are readily available in specialty food stores. Flax seeds are a fantastic source of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is the type of fat that is really good for you, but hard to get in the diet. Research shows the Omega-3s stay in tact at temperatures up to 350 degrees, so we are good. If you buy ground flax seeds, keep them in the refrigerator and use them up in granola, on cereal, or in low temperature baking.
Gluten-free?
For a gluten-free version of this dish, replace the soy sauce with wheat-free tamari and replace the breadcrumbs with gluten-free coarsely ground oats.This recipe is inspired by one I saw on the vegan Indian-inspired blog Vegan Richa. Thanks!