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 Easy-to-Make Cinnabon Rolls Are Absolutely Delicious
Cinnabon rolls are beyond delicious, especially when they’re smothered in a lot of exquisite frosting. Here's how you can make your own at home.
When it Comes to Dessert, Nothing Beats a Cherry Pie!
Here's how you can make yourself a delicious cherry pie at home!
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.
These Delicious Onion Rings Will Impress All Your Guests!
Here’s how you can make some tasty homemade onion rings that are just as good as those from the local diner.
These Delicious Flapjacks Are the Perfect Snack!
Who doesn’t love flapjacks? Here's how you can make your own delicious flapjacks at home!
Improve Your Brunch with These Delicious Eggs Benedict!
This is how you can make a delicious Eggs Benedict at home. It's a lot easier than you have heard!
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.
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
We Bet You've Never Tasted Potatoes As Delicious As These
These are the best potatoes you have ever tasted!
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.
Trying to Cut Meat from Your Life? Try These Substitutes!
Vegetable and plant-based meat substitutes that are juicy, savory and rich in proteins and vitamins.
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.
11 Unexpected Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky
If you thought whisky was nothing more than an alcoholic drink, you were mistaken. This video will detail the various health benefits you can reap by drinking whisky in moderation.
GUIDE: Which Pasta Shape Works Best with Which Sauce?
Pasta shapes aren't just a matter of aesthetics, as different shapes lend themselves to different sauces. Here's what you need to know.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
What EVERYONE Should Know About Fruits and Veggies
Amazing facts you probably don't know about the best things we should all eat every day.
Impress Your Guests With This Easily Made Apple Swan!
A simple and easy way to beautify any set table with beautiful little apple swans!
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...
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.
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.
This Spice Cheat-Sheet Gives the Full Delicious Picture
This spice chart allows you to maximize the taste of any meal.
Want to Be a Wine Expert? We've Got You Covered
If you find the world of wine a little bit too tricky at times, then worry no more, since below you'll find a full guide to buying the perfect wine for you.
This Is How Long You Can Freeze These Foods For!
We all know that freezing food prevents it from rotting. Here's a complete guide to how long you can let different foods stay frozen until they go bad!
The Long History of the World’s Oldest Hot Beverage
While tea was invented in China, it has spread to all corners of the world, becoming a staple everywhere it was introduced.
This Crispy Lemon Pie Is Made From Just One Batter!
It's hard to believe how this delicious dessert's creamy filling and perfect crunchy crust is made. Take a look and save the recipe.
3 DASH Diet Soups for a Cozy Winter Day
3 recipes for dash diet approved sou[s that will warm up your winter
Here's How to Make the Tastiest Salad Dressing!
These charts briefly explain how best to go about making a variety of delicious salad dressings.
These Home-Made Doughnuts Need Only 2 Ingredients!
Here's a donuts recipe that anyone can succeed with. Master these 2 ingredient donuts and you'll be able to make any kind of donut you wish!
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
The KFC Secret Recipe Cat Is Out of the Bag - Here it Is
Colonel Sanders' nephew reveals the original secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
This Cauliflower Casserole is Comfort Food at its Best
Learn how to make your next favorite casserole recipe, using cauliflower and cheese.
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
A Guide to 7 Unique Tomato Varieties and How to Use Them
Whoa! I never knew there were so many different varieties of tomatoes out there.
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.
Make Much Better Eggs With These 10 Awesome Tips
You may think you're able to cook eggs well, but these tips will simply take your ability to a whole new level. Learn how to cook eggs right in this post.
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.
This Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese is Simply Delicious
Home-made macaroni and cheese is much tastier than that which you can buy in a store. By using a slow cooker, you can make the tastiest macaroni and cheese ever.
After Reading This, You'll Never Buy Expensive Meat Again!
Do you know what the major difference between a cheap and an expensive cut of meat is? Here are 5 effective methods of making tough cuts of meat taste absolutely heavenly!
These 5 Foods Will Help You Fall Asleep Immediately
Having trouble sleeping? Here are five foods that can help you out!
Apparently I've Been Cooking Pasta All Wrong!
I thought I knew how to cook pasta, but apparently I've been doing it wrong!
Who Knew Salad Dressings Could Be So Healthy?
Who knew salad dressings could be so healthy and easy to make?
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!
A Fool-Proof Chili Recipe for Winter Nights!
Here's a classic and delicious chili recipe that can be made in just about an hour!
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.
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.
This Delicious Bread Has No Carbs, No Gluten and No Sugar
Known as cloud bread, this carb and gluten free bread is soft, airy and fluffy, and so delicious, it practically melts in your mouth. All you need are three ingredients to make it - let's take a look.
Mix These Foods Together and Get a Super Health Boost!
Here are 7 foods that should be eaten with another suitable food partner to gain their full health benefits.