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
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!
Treat Your Friends to These Delicious Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are a major crowd pleaser. Here's how you can make these tasty snacks 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 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.
This Is Arguably the Tastiest Carrot Cake You'll Ever Make
Carrot cake is such a wonderful dessert that even people who dislike the funny-shaped root vegetable can't resist it. This easy-to-follow recipe will show you how to make a delicious carrot cake.
Upgrade Your Favorite Foods With this Common Ingredient!
How to use baking soda and drinking soda to upgrade different foods.
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.
3 Glasses of Sunshine: Drink Recipes for the Hot Weather
Spring and summer are on their way, so what better time than to start perfecting your drink making skills. These sunny juices will quench your gaping thirst.
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!
Here's How You Can Dice Green Onions Like a Professional
Prepare to take your cooking skills to the next level by learning about the correct way to dice green onions.
10 Vegetables and Herbs To Buy Once and Re-Grow Forever...
Some parts of vegetables and herbs that you don't normally use and just throw away can actually be used to re-grow themselves time and again. Find out more.
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.
Make 8 Super-Simple Yet Healthy Treats
Discover how to transform simple ingredients into delicious, healthy snacks.
Serve Up Fruits and Berries in the Most Delicious Way
Here are three innovative ways to serve up fruit and berries! Dig in and enjoy.
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.
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.
An Italian's Secret to Making the Best Pasta
Follow these tips to prepare an excellent plate of pasta.
Which Wine Pairs Well with Which Cheese? Here’s the Guide
Pairing the perfect wine to a slab of cheese is an art form that can truly elevate the taste of both. Here's how it's done.
How to Make Delicious Vegan Bolognese
Bolognese is a great comfort food. Most people think that you need to use meat to make a great Bolognese, but, as this recipe proves, this is not the case.
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.
These Are the Healthiest Hash Browns Ever Prepared!
Yes, you can have hash browns for breakfast, with this healthy and delicious cauliflower alternative recipe. Watch and learn!
Love Ginger Ale? Maybe It's Time You Made Your Own...
2 easy to make recipes for organic ginger ale and ginger beer
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.
15 Peculiar Food Combinations That People Actually Love
Take a look at these weird food combinations that sound gross but are actually quite delicious.
Cook the Juiciest Chicken Breasts Ever With This Recipe
Chicken breasts are easy to cook, but they need to be cooked properly to be enjoyed. This recipe will ensure you cook the tastiest chicken breasts imaginable.
18 Common Baking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If you like fresh pastry, but your baking attempts have been less than successful, there's a good chance you're "guilty" of these 18 common baking mistakes.
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.
You Do Not Need Outdoor Space to Grow These Common Fruits
You do not need any outdoor space to grow these delicious, common fruits.
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
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!
How to Create the Perfect Home Pita Bread
If you've never tried pita bread, then you're missing out! This simple pita bread recipe will make you wonder why you never tried this before!
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.
15 Delicious Street Foods to Try When You Go Traveling
The world is full of inventive dishes and each country boasts a signature street food. Here are the best street foods from around the world.
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.
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.
Who Knew Salad Dressings Could Be So Healthy?
Who knew salad dressings could be so healthy and easy to make?
Ever Wondered What Presidential Meals Look Like?
State dinners are more than a fancy meal. Here's a brief look at what goes on inside presidential state dinners.
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.
Cook a Traditional Czech Meal With These 5 Recipes
To enjoy the unique tastes of Czech cuisine, you no longer need to fly abroad. The following recipes will allow you to cook a traditional Czech meal yourself.
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
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!
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.
3 DASH Diet Soups for a Cozy Winter Day
3 recipes for dash diet approved sou[s that will warm up your winter
This Broccoli Soup Has Cancer-Fighting Properties
This creamy broccoli soup is not only delicious, but it also has cancer-fighting properties. Follow this recipe to learn how to make this tasty dish.
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.