Description
A festive vegetarian centerpiece made with lentils, mushrooms, walnuts, oats, and herbs, baked into a golden savory loaf with a glossy topping and a hearty, sliceable texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked brown lentils
- 12 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet or loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and mushrooms, then sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and the pan looks mostly dry.
- Stir in the tomato paste, soy sauce, thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked mushroom mixture with the lentils, walnuts, rolled oats, breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, and vegetable broth.
- Pulse the mixture a few times in a food processor until it holds together but still has texture.
- Shape the mixture into a long oval loaf on the prepared baking sheet, or press it into a loaf pan.
- Mix the ketchup and maple syrup in a small bowl, then brush it over the top of the loaf.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the outside is deeply golden and the loaf feels set.
- Let the loaf rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing, then serve warm.
Notes
- Cook the mushrooms until most of their moisture is gone to keep the loaf from becoming soggy.
- Do not overprocess the mixture, because some texture helps the loaf slice better.
- The loaf can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftover slices are excellent in sandwiches or grain bowls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 47mg
Keywords: vegetarian goose, lentil loaf, mushroom walnut loaf, holiday vegetarian centerpiece, festive meatless main