LENTIL LOAF by CoachBJ

Wonderful lentil loaf packed with whole-food, plant-based nutritional values. Fabulous tasting and what a treat the next day in filling sandwiches! Tom dug out this recipe from my cookbook. It was super good and an old transitional favorite so I’m sharing this recipe. And it really does hold together, unlike others which you might have tasted or made. For the two of us, it usually lasts for three meals. Hope you ENJOY!

Serves: 6 || Prep Time: 40 minutes || Cook Time: 30 minutes

1/2 cup dried lentils; rinse, sort and precook
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, no added sodium
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons flax seed meal, mix with 4 tablespoons water
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup onions, diced
1 cup bell green pepper, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons brown mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, lo-sodium
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cumin

Preparing lentils:  Rinse and sort lentils. Cook lentils according to package directions while preparing ingredients for loaf mixture.

Preparing and mixing loaf mixture:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. To the tomato sauce stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; save 1 Tablespoon of the sauce to mix in the loaf and reserve the remaining sauce to be used later as the loaf topping. Mix flaxseed meal with water, microwave 20 seconds or until thickened. In a skillet sauté onions, peppers and garlic in a small amount of water until onions are translucent. To make the loaf mixture, in a large bowl add the 1 Tablespoon of reserved tomato sauce and all remaining prepared ingredients. Mix well then form into a loaf; place into a non-stick or parchment lined ovenware. Spoon reserved tomato sauce on top.

Baking loaf:  Cook for 20 minutes uncovered; cover and cook for additional 10 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes, slice and serve.

Nutrition Facts: Calories 252, Total Fat 3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 67 mg, Total Carbohydrate 33g, Fiber 11g, Sugars 5g, Protein 13g

LENTIL LOAF: Tom dug out this recipe from my first ecookbook, but this was always a favorite and it turned out to be as tasty as we remembered. The lentil loaf, as well as, colcannon with kale and brown beans rounded out this heart healthy meal. Of course, always a salad first and perhaps fruit or a dessert later.