Lentil & Chickpeas Loaf
(Vegan & Gluten Free)
This healthy loaf is easy to make - it has only simple ingredients that you are very likely to have in your pantry and is a great non-meat alternative or addition to a roast dinner.
Not only is it packed with protein from the lentils and chickpeas, it also contains lots of goodness from the fresh veggies included in the mix too.
It is Vegan & Gluten Free, but don't let that put you off – you'd never realise if we didn't tell you!!
For the lentils, I use either green, or red split peas, or a combination of both. Also i'm never particularly precise with my measurements …. if it comes out a bit wetter I cook it a little longer and vice versa. It always turns out just fine.
This recipe gives about 6 portions. Where it is just the 2 of us, I usually slice it up after cooking and freeze what we don't use right away. Then just pop it back in the oven, either from frozen or slightly defrosted, until its warmed through when we'd like to use more (it usually takes about 20 mins or so).
Its a substantial winter favourite in our house.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon oil
1 medium onion - diced
4 cloves garlic - crushed
1 cup carrot – diced quite small
-
2 cups cooked lentils
1½ cups (about a can) cooked chickpeas
6 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
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¾ cup oats
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
½ teaspoon liquid smoke or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried herbs (your choice)
salt and pepper - to taste
Method:
Heat oil gently in frying pan, then add the onion, garlic and carrot. Sauté for about 10 minutes, until softened.
Put the lentils, chickpeas, water and ground flaxseed in a blender or food processor jug and pulse until slightly smooth but still some textured. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
Add the cooked mixture from the frying pan to the bowl.
Stir in the oats, tamari/soy, nutritional yeast, liquid smoke/Paprika, herbs and salt and pepper.
Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan and Bake in a warmed oven @ 200oC/375oF/gas 5, for about 50-60 minutes, until crisp on top.
ENJOY ✌️🌿