I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about meatloaf. Must be something in the air -or perhaps the fact that it’s a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for cold winter nights. Either way, the meatloaf chronicles of late have had me thinking about my own “meatloaf” recipe.
It has been, shall we say, a bit of a nemesis of mine. The first time I made it, it was drier than dry. The second time? Flavorless. Every time the flavor was right then the texture/moisture was off, and every time the texture/moisture was right then the flavor would be off. After numerous failed attempts, I was tempted to admit defeat however, I’m not one who likes to be defeated least of which by a little ol’ “meatloaf.” I decided to give it one more go only this time I would completely ignore my now nearly illegible recipe and every single note that I had ever scribbled down about it -and there were a lot of damn notes. It was such a gamble but… it paid off! In going with my gut and relying on my knowledge, I had created a beautiful “meatloaf” that was not only flavorful but that also had the perfect “meaty” texture!
It all gets started at your stove. You’re going to need to cook up 1 cup of truRoots accents Sprouted Lentil Trio in accordance with the instructions on the back of the package. Once cooked, drain the lentils and then set them aside for just a moment while other ingredients get prepped.
The other ingredients that need to be prepped are a can of black beans and the egg replacer. You’re going to rinse and drain the black beans then you’ll need to prepare the Ener-G Egg Replacer for 1 egg according to the instructions on the packaging. Now that all of the ingredients that need to be prepped have been prepped, it’s time to make the “meatloaf” mixture.
In a large bowl, all of the ingredients except for the vital wheat gluten get combined using an immersion blender. Don’t obsess over obliterating every little lentil and black bean but do try to at least get this mixture about 75% smooth.
Once blended, add in the vital wheat gluten and stir to combine -don’t use your immersion blender for this step!
Plop your “meatloaf” mixture down into a generously greased loaf pan and then smooth out the top so that it looks all pretty and even. Bake this goodness in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes and then enjoy!
Vegan 'Meatloaf'
Ingredients
- 1 cup of truRoots accents Sprouted Lentil Trio (cooked according to the instructions on package)
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can of no salt added black beans, drained and rinsed
- Ener-G Egg Replacer for 1 egg (follow instructions on box)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium tamari
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a metal loaf pan by generously greasing it. Set pan aside for a moment. Cook 1 cup of the truRoots accents Sprouted Lentil Trio, if you haven’t done so already, making sure to drain the lentils well when they’re done. Drain and rinse the black beans if you haven’t done so already. Also, prepare the Ener-G for 1 egg if you haven’t done so already.
- In a large bowl, using an immersion blender, combine the lentils, black beans, and “egg,” with all of the remaining ingredients except the vital wheat gluten. Don’t obsess over obliterating every little lentil and black bean with the immersion blender but do try to at least get this mixture about 75% smooth. Once about 75% smooth, add in the vital wheat gluten and stir to combine -don’t use the immersion blender for this step!
- Transfer the “meatloaf” mixture to the loaf pan you prepared earlier. Pat the mixture around the pan with a spoon or offset spatula to even it out and then smooth out the top. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes. When done, enjoy right away or store in an airtight container in your fridge for up to a week.
Compassion is the Secret Ingredient 