I admit that this isn't the best-sounding main dish that you'll come across, but you'll forget all about that once you've tasted it. This rich, chewy and very satisfying dish has won the palates and hearts of many - even non-vegetarians.
Many of the steps in this classic vegetarian nut loaf recipe can be prepared in advance - the brown rice can be cooked, the cheese shredded, and the nuts chopped. In fact, the whole mixture can be made a whole day in advance and refrigerated. If you're baking it straight from the fridge, please be sure to leave it in the oven a couple of minutes longer than stated.
Classic Vegetarian Nut Loaf
Serves 6 to 8 people.
Ingredients:
• 1 onion, medium, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• 2 cups finely-chopped mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Red wine or sherry
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped or pulsed in a food processor
• 1 cup cashews or almonds, finely chopped or pulsed in a food processor
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 3/4 pound grated cheese: Parmesan, Gruyere, cheddar, fontina, smoked or any combination
• 1/2 cup mixed fresh chopped herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme
• Salt and pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté the onion in oil until it begins to soften. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook the mushrooms until they have released their juices and become soft. Add the garlic and dried herbs, and continue cooking. When the pan starts to dry out, add a splash of red wine or sherry and cook until it has been reduced. The contents of the pan should be moist, but not swimming in liquid. Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little.
3. While you're waiting for the mushroom mixture to cool, oil a 9-inch loaf pan and line it with foil or parchment paper.
4. Add the nuts and rice to a large bowl. In a different bowl, beat the eggs with the cottage cheese. Add the egg/cheese mixture to the nut/rice mixture, then stir in the cooled mushrooms, grated cheese, and fresh herbs. Mix very well. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. The mixture can be kept, covered and in the fridge at this point for no more than a day.
5. Fill the loaf pan with the nut mixture. Bang on the counter a couple of times to get rid of any air bubbles and use a spatula to smooth the top. Decorate with slices of mushrooms, bell peppers, or whole walnuts, if you so wish. Place loaf pan on a baking tray.
6. Bake for around an hour until the loaf is firm (slightly longer if the mixture was refrigerated). Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Once 10 minutes have passed, lift the loaf from the pan using the excess foil or parchment paper. Peel off the foil or parchment paper and serve on a platter, garnished with herbs.
Source: thekitchn
Photo: Dana Velden
These Delicious Cauliflower Tacos Are a Vegetarian's Dream
This recipe will show you how to make delicious vegetarian cauliflower tacos.
This Summer Squash and Sausage Stew is Tasty and Healthy!
This is how you can make a tasty summer squash and sausage stew at home. This dish is perfect for summer.
This is How to Make the Perfect Home-Made Tortillas!
Here's how you can make yourself some tasty tortillas at home.
This Marinated Shrimp is Perfect for Your Summer BBQs!
This is how you can make some delicious marinated shrimp for your summer BBQs.
These British Desserts Look Fancy, But Are Easy to Make!
American pie sure is delicious, but when it comes to baking incredibly tasty desserts, the Brits come well out on top. Here are 4 delicious British desserts.
When it Comes to Dessert, Nothing Beats a Cherry Pie!
Here's how you can make yourself a delicious cherry pie at home!
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
These Quick Snacks Are Proven To Be Healthy and Cheap
A video from John Hopkins University shows us that healthy food doesn't have to be a burden on your bank account or your watch. These easy and affordable snacks can help keep you moving.
The Perfectly Seared Steak: All You Need to Know
Now that its winter, our steak cooking options are fairly limited to the stove and oven, but this isn’t a bad thing...
Ancient Recipe Corner: Old Timey Festive Buttered Beer
Whip out your pewter pots for this medieval recipe! We'll be making buttered beer, with a non-alcoholic version included.
These Pies Are Truly a Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach!
If you love pies, then you absolutely need to check out these incredibly beautiful pie crusts, which are utter masterpieces.
This Has to Be the Most Guilt-Free Bread Recipe Ever!
This cloud bread is carb, gluten and sugar-free. Despite those facts, it's still light, fluffy and utterly mouthwatering. Learn how to bake it today.
5 Best Ways to Prepare Fish While Keeping them Nutritious
In this article, we'll explore the eight most common ways of preparing fish and their effects on this beloved and healthy food.
You May Have Never Heard of These Delicious Fruits...
These delicious, exotic fruits are not something you see every day, but are worth investigating for their terrific taste.
These 5 Foods Will Help You Fall Asleep Immediately
Having trouble sleeping? Here are five foods that can help you out!
Guide: The Right Seasoning Can Do Wonders!
A steak is easy to make. A well seasoned one, though, can make all the difference.
This is How You Make Delicious Home-Made Hummus
Hummus is delicious, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make your own.
Why Settle For Regular Toast When You Can Have THESE?
Change things up a bit with 17 original and delicious pieces of toast!
6 Terrific Recipes That Can Be Made with Medicinal Herbs
Find out how mallow, nettles, mint, elderberry, fennel, and chives are dutifully incorporated into these 6 delicious recipes!
You Do Not Need Outdoor Space to Grow These Common Fruits
You do not need any outdoor space to grow these delicious, common fruits.
You've Got to Try these Delicious and Comforting Winter Salads
These hearty, comforting salads will take your mind off classic winter, comfort food.
Try This Easy Yet Heavenly Almond and Pastry Dessert Recipe
At a glance, the pastry may look complicated to make, but it is actually quite easy. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make it.
Impress Your Guests With This Easily Made Apple Swan!
A simple and easy way to beautify any set table with beautiful little apple swans!
Eat These Foods for Breakfast If You're Diabetic
Breakfast is a very important meal of the day, even more so if you're diabetic. Here are 8 healthy breakfast options for those who suffer from diabetes.
This Amazing Ice-Cream Recipe Comes from the 1700s
This is how Ice-cream was made in the 18th century. It was surprisingly made with Italian Parmesan. You've got to try this savory dessert!
15 Vegetables You Can Grow in a Garden Pot!
If you would love to grow vegetables, but have a limited amount of space, then we have just the solution for you - vegetables you can grow in a pot.
9 Great Dressing Ideas to Freshen Up Your Salad
Hungry for some juicy salad dressing ideas to spice up your salad? These simple and healthy recipes are just what you need for inspiration!
Make a Delicious and Unexpected Dessert: Apple Blossoms!
It's time to impress your guests with a dessert that isn't just sweet and delicious, but also stunning to look at!
8 Drinks That Help Burn Extra Fat Around Your Waistline
You may be surprised to discover that there are a number of drinks that can help you lose weight. Let's take a look at 8 of them.
You Won't Believe What This Healthy Bread is Made of...
Wow, have you tried these new veggie flatbread recipes?! They are healthy, tasty, gorgeous and easy. Those are a few of my favorite things.
4 Heavenly Chicken Soups to Spoil Yourself with This Winter
Chicken is a common soup ingredient because of its ideal tenderness and taste. Presenting 4 of the many irresistible ways to make the chicken soup of your dreams.
15 Warming Soup Recipes Perfect for Cold Weather
If the cold days are upon you and you’re ready to treat yourself with a special, yet very healthy meal, prepare one of these 15 warming soups
13 Delicious Juice Recipes to Detox Your Body With...
Follow this guide to learn how to make 13 delicious juices that'll help you detoxify your body.
You Deep Fried WHAT? Weird Fried Foods and More
Have you ever tried fried maple leaves? Or a deep fried scorpion? Watch people prepare these weird meals and a few more traditional ones, too
Re-Grow These 10 Vegetables - Just Use Water!
It's amazing how much money you can save by re-growing these 10 favorite vegetables! Follow our tips and instructions to learn more about how you can have a constant supply of your favorite greens, without paying an extra penny.
An Innovative Twist Using Eggs for a Healthy Breakfast Idea
Eggs are one of my favorite food. They are so versatile and can be used in a number of ways. Check out this innovative recipe.
5 Best Meal Planning Sites to Save Time, Money, and Energy
These meal preparation websites will help you cook a week’s food in advance.
THIS is Why I Love Italian Cuisine!
What makes the Italian cuisine one of the best in the world? Watch and learn.
Easy Trick to Know If Your Steak Is Rare or Well-Done
Judging how well done a steak is just by looking at it can be hard, thankfully, this easy trick will tell you just how done it is.
We Bet You've Never Tasted Potatoes As Delicious As These
These are the best potatoes you have ever tasted!
6 Mistakes We Make When Making Scrambled Eggs
If you want to make the perfect scrambled egg, follow these 6 simple tips.
Avocados Are Incredibly Versatile, as These 6 Recipes Show
Avocados are more versatile than you ever imagined, and I'm sure these 6 recipes will make you want to include them in your diet from hereon.
These Delicious Baked Dishes Have Become Family Favorites
These three, heavenly baked dishes have become family favorites in my kitchen. I encourage you to try them out!
Make 10 Scrumptious Dishes Using Only 3 Ingredients!
When I watch a cooking show on TV or grab a recipe book, they all look delicious, but each one requires so many ingredients – some of which I can’t even find. Using only 3 ingredients, these recipes will allow you to quickly make mouth watering dishe
Enjoy Guilt-Free, Delicious Brownies With This Great Recipe
This is a sweet brownie treat you'll definitely want to try - delicious, guilt-free four-ingredient brownies! Read the recipe here.
I Could Eat This Yummy No-Oven Cake Every Day!
When a sweet tooth strikes, this is the dessert to make! No oven is needed.
15 Peculiar Food Combinations That People Actually Love
Take a look at these weird food combinations that sound gross but are actually quite delicious.