Celebration Lentil Loaf

Serves 6

This festive main course is rich and tasty on its own, but you can also pair it with Vegan Mushroom Gravy.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup bulgur wheat
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2/3 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic)
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Method

  1. Put lentils in a small saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer until lentils are very tender, about 40 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Put bulgur in a small saucepan with 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer until bulgur is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
  3. In a medium skillet, combine mushrooms, onion, cider poultry seasoning and salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat until vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Scrape into a bowl and fold in lentils, bulgur, oats, bell pepper and parsley.
  4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8- or 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Pack lentil mixture firmly into pan and smooth the top. Bake until edges brown slightly, about 1 hour. Cool in pan 25 minutes, then invert it onto a serving plate. Remove parchment and let the loaf cool a few more minutes. Use a serrated knife to cut the loaf into 1-inch-thick slices.
  5. To freeze leftovers, let the loaf cool to room temperature, cut into serving slices, wrap in foil or freezer-safe plastic wrap and freeze up to 1 month. To reheat, unwrap and microwave, or place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 275°F oven until heated through, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 230 calories (15 from fat), 1.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 44g total carbohydrate (10g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 12g protein

For more information...

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2808