A perfect holiday lentil loaf

holiday lentil loaf

It’s still early November, and for the second year in a row we’re having snowfalls already! I can’t believe I’ve longed for snow most of my adult life, and now I finally get to experience the magical beauty of seasons in the perfect place. Yay for changing seasons!


Vegan lentil loaf
Perfect holiday lentil loaf

So, while October was all about comfy Autumnal treats, come this cold temperatures and I’m already thinking of the Holiday season, gift giving and gatherings around the table. Whether you’re Vegan like me or you want to include a meatless dish for your friends and family this holiday season, welcome!
Take a look around and make yourself at home. I’ve prepared for you a perfect holiday lentil loaf that tastes great, is easy to make (that’s a staple in my kitchen) and that is actually multi-purpose as it’s an excellent sandwich filler the next day (IF there’s any leftovers, that is) with some crunchy lettuce and vegan mayo. Just serve it with roasted potatoes, lots of veggies and your favorite gravy (I’ve shared my go-to easy gravy in last year’s top Thanksgiving recipe roundup) and let the feast begin.

Perfect holiday lentil loaf

This lentil meatless loaf also happens to have loads of proteins thanks to… lentils (duh!), chia seeds and oats. So if you want to make a low-cholesterol, oil-free, soy-free, nut-free meatless roast that will be devoured by children and grown-ups, let’s get right into the recipe because I can’t stand recipe posts where you have to scroll down for hours before getting to the interesting part ;-)

Vegan lentil loaf
Vegan lentil loaf

Also check out my festive Vegan Holiday roast! =)

Lentil loaf

This loaf could become your meatless holiday staple! Easily adjust seasonings according to your family taste and serve with roasted potatoes, green veggies and your favorite gravy or sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Holidays
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

Loaf

  • 1 cup dry lentils
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • herbs + spices I used garlic poweder, paprika and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon tabasco
  • 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
  • sesame seeds optional

Broth

  • 4 cups warm water
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup mixed veggies fresh or frozen

Instructions
 

  • Start by making a broth: heat 4 cups of water, chop your onion (any color will do, just go with the one you love the most, I used yellow), finely chop the garlic cloves. Add everything to a big pot of water, pour in the (frozen) veggies (I used a frozen mix of baby potatoes, green peas and baby carrots) and any spices you might want.
  • After 10 minutes or so pour your lentils and let cook for the time needed (usually around 20/25 minutes).
  • When the lentils are done, you should still have some liquid left in the pot. If not, heat up 1 more cup of water and pour in. Add the couscous, mix well and let rest. Heat your over at 220°C and set a plumcake mold on the side.
  • Now the fun part begins: add the oats to the pot, mix well. Add the chia seeds and mix well. Add the tabasco, the liquid smoke, the BBQ sauce, the herbs and spices you love and mix - you guessed it - very well. (You might want to add some salt at this point, I didn't)
  • If the mixture is too wet, add a few more oats. If it's too dry add a tablespoon or two of water. Then, gently fold the mixture in the mold and press evenly, making sure the mixture reaches well into the corners. If you want, drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top (I didn't) and sprinkle some sesame seeds. Put in the oven and let it cook for 55 minutes.
  • When the top is golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, you know it's ready! Cool for 15 minutes in order for the loaf to set before cutting it... and enjoy!

Notes

If you wish, you can personalize this basic recipe in many ways: add mushrooms or whole nuts to the mixture. Cover with a layer of BBQ sauce before putting the loaf into the oven. Substitute chickpeas for the lentils and brown rice or quinoa for the couscous... the possibilities are endless! This can also be the perfect way to use up left over lentils ;-)

Did you enjoy this post? I would love for you to pin it! Thank you! ♥
Also, do let me know in the comments which is your favorite holiday staple and did you veganize it? Or shall I veganize it for you? :)

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More about Francesca @ Seven Roses

☾ moon child + Autumn + Hufflepuff ↟ cabin life, books, coffee, crystals & watercolors ✧ Vegan blogger/designer ➵ helping you live a more magical & conscious life Stay a while, and let's be friends! ♥

Comments

  1. Reply

    Oh my goodness this loaf looks amazing and quite easy to whip up!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Xo!
    Jen
    frecklesonfillmore.com

    1. Reply

      Hi Jen, thank you for your comment! Let me know if you ever make it ^_^

  2. Reply

    This looks great! I love dense breads with a lot of nutrients. Thanks for sharing

    1. Reply

      Hi Esther, thank you for your comment! This recipe gives more of a roast type of result, a main dish, rather than a bread. Let me know if you give it a try! ;-)

  3. Reply

    This loaf looks so delicious Francesca. I love lentils and will definitely give this recipe a try. Thank you for sharing! 😊

    1. Reply

      Hello Salwa, thank you for your visit! I hope you will enjoy this recipe. Bonne journée ma belle!

  4. Reply

    I can confirm, this loaf was yummy!!

    1. Reply

      Shall I make it again soon? We have all the ingredients ;-*

  5. Reply

    Oh I have to bookmark this to make it! It looks so yummy! Thanks so much for sharing.

    1. Reply

      Hello Ellie, thank you so much for your comment! I hope you will make it and enjoy it :-)

  6. Reply

    This loaf looks absolutely delicious. I love lentils and look forward to trying your recipe soon.

  7. Reply

    What a pretty loaf! the texture looks amazing!

  8. Reply

    This looks so delish! Need to try it for the holidays for sure. Thanks for sharing xo, sharon

    http://www.stylelullaby.com/personal/the-business-tip-need-grow-business/

  9. Reply

    Made it! Wow it was so good! Im not sure the consistency I got is like your pictures, yours look better of course :D but I will make it again and it will be the main dish for my Vegan Thanksgiving this year ♥ so glad I found your site, you’ve sold a major problem for me as I just went vegan recently and wasn’t sure what to cook for the holidays

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