Lentil Quinoa Loaf

Lentil Quinoa Loaf

Ingredients

Loaf:

• 1/2 cup brown lentils
• 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup millet (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 1/4 cups of water or vegetable broth

• 2 tsp oil (vegetable broth for those watching oils)
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 1/2 cup celery finely chopped
• 1/2 cup carrots finely chopped or grated
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp onion powder 
• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 cup raisins (add less for less sweet)
• 2 tbsp flaxmeal (ground flaxseed)
• 1 tbsp chia seed (optional)
• 2 Tbsp vegan worcestershire sauce, 
• 1 Tbsp of maple syrup (1 tsp for less sweet)
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard or 1 tsp prepared mustard
• 2 to 3 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 to 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2-1 cup coarsely ground rolled oats (pulsed in blender)

Glaze

• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp or more hot sauce to taste
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Combine lentils, bay leaf and water in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Wash the quinoa & millet, add to the pan, partially cover and continue to cook until both are very tender and easily mashed (You want to slightly over cook the lentils). Stir after 10 minutes so they don't stick to the pan. Total 10 to 15 mins .  Remove bay leaf and transfer to a bowl.
2. Heat oil (or broth) in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions & and cook for 5 minutes or until translucent
3. Add celery, carrots, red bell pepper, thyme, oregano, onion & garlic powder and mix well. Cook for 5 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Add in the raisins and mix.  Cook for 2 minutes. Take off heat.
4. Add the cooked veggies, flaxmeal & chia seeds to the bowl and mix in. Mash the mixture using potato masher or hands, so that at least half the lentils and quinoa get well mashed. (you still want some whole lentils)
5. Add in the sauces, nutritional yeast, and mix well. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more sauces, herbs and salt if needed.
6. Add coarsely ground oats and mix in. (To check if the mixture is the right consistency, make a burger patty. If the mixture is too sticky or pasty, add more oats. If it is too crumbly and doesn't stick easily, add some wet ingredients or a flax egg) Flax egg is 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed with 2 Tablespoons of water or broth.  
7. Prepare the loaf pan with parchment paper - line it with parchment paper edges folded over the pan. Medium bread loaf pan(8.5 by 4.75 inch)
8. Press the mixture into the pan. Pack well and even it out.
9. Make the glaze and spread over the top of the loaf.
10. Cover the loaf with foil and bake at 375 degrees / 190ºc for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes. Then let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

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