Ingredients
- Balsamic Apple Glaze:
- 1 cup uncooked green lentils
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped and toasted
- 3 tbsp ground flax + 1/2 cup water
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 cups diced sweet onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/3 cup peeled and grated sweet apple (use a firm variety)
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 3/4 tsp dried thyme)
- salt & pepper, to taste (I use about 3/4 tsp sea salt + more Herbamare)
- red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple butter (or unsweetened applesauce in a pinch)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- _____________________
- SERVES 4 - Use mini Loaf pan and decrease cooking time, check after 20 mins
- 1/2 cup uncooked green lentils
- 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped and toasted
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground flax + 1/4 cup water
- 1 Lg garlic clove, minced
- 3/4 cups diced sweet onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp peeled and grated sweet apple (use a firm variety)
- 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp raisins
- 1/4 cup oat flour (you can grind rolled oats in food processor)
- 6 Tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme or other herb of choice)
- salt & pepper, to taste
- red pepper flakes, to taste
- Balsamic Apple Glaze:
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 1/2 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple butter (or unsweetened applesauce in a pinch)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Preparation
Step 1
1. Preheat oven to 325F. Rinse and strain lentils. Place lentils into pot along with 3 cups of water (or veg broth). Bring to a boil and season with salt. Reduce heat to medium/low and simmer, uncovered, for at least 40-45 minutes. Stir frequently & add touch of water if needed. The goal is to over-cook the lentils slightly (see pictures in post). Mash lentils slightly with a spoon when ready.
2. Toast walnuts at 325F for about 8-10 minutes. Set aside. Increase oven temp to 350F.
3. Whisk ground flax with water in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sautee the garlic and onion for about 5 minutes. Season with salt. Now add in the diced celery, shredded carrot and apple, and raisins. Sautee for about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat.
5. In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together. Adjust seasonings to taste.
6. Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Press mixture firmly into pan. Whisk glaze ingredients and then spread half on top of loaf. Reserve the rest for a dipping sauce.
7. Bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes, uncovered. Edges will be lightly brown. Cool in pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. I usually wait until loaf is cool before slicing.