Meat Loaf

So after trying a few different recipes that did not really capture what I was looking for, I found this one.   Tweaked the recipe a little. It tastes just like a good meat loaf.  The texture is close.  Everyone was happy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 cups of cooked dark lentils (brown or red).  If cooking dried lentils, start with 3/4 cup of lentils.
  • 1 package extra firm tofu
  • 1 block of Impossible or Beyond Beef (optional)
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 stalks of celery chopped fine
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, ground up
  • 1 and 1/4 cup fast cooking oats
  • Any left over bread slices (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (or substitute BBQ sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon (or regular) mustard
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp ground thyme
  • 1/2 tsp ground sage
  • 1/2 tsp ground rosemary
  • salt and pepper
  • More ketchup for the top

Press tofu to remove excess water (use tofu press or two plates and a cast iron skillet for weight).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

If cooking dry lentils,use 3/4 cup of the lentils into a pot with enough water and simmer for 15 minutes.  Drain excess liquid or cook down.  Just scoop 1 and 1/2 cups of the lentil mix into the bowl, some liquid is okay.  You do not want the lentils too mushy.

Place walnuts in a food processor and process until almost a powder.  You can also use a knife and chop into fine pieces.

Saute onion and garlic in a little oil or broth until soft.

If you have any leftover stale bread slices, or like in my house, the kids refuse to eat the heals of the bread, put them in a food processor and make bread crumbs, or cut them into small cubes.

In a large mixing bowl, place the pressed tofu and break into small bits.  Mash with your fingers or a fork.    Add in cooked onion and garlic and mix.  Add in cooked lentils, oats, and all other ingredients.  Mix well.  I find it best to use your hands.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Spray or oil the inside of one loaf pan.

Press mixture into loaf pan.  Firmly press into shape.  Thickly spread ketchup on top. I like adding a couple teaspoons of mustard also to the ketchup on top.

Place pan into oven and cook for 60-90 minutes, until the edges start to crust and burn.

Slice and serve with more ketchup or gravy or you can use “Bitchin’ Sauce” (Trader Joes, Costco, etc)

Serve the next day as a sandwich with ketchup and/or mustard.

Notes:  You can use Italian seasoning for the spices.  You can add carrots to add more veggie body to the mix.  I am going to try using Nutritional Yeast to add more unami, I think maybe 1/4 cup.  Try coating the top with BBQ sauce or even Mustard if you do not want to use ketchup.