BEST VEGAN NUT LOAF RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/ fan 160C/ gas 4 and line the base and sides of a 1.5 litre loaf tin with parchment paper.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 15g butter in a large frying pan and cook 1 finely chopped large onion and 2 finely chopped celery sticks for about 5 mins until beginning to soften.
• Stir in 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and 200g finely chopped chestnut mushrooms and cook for a further 10 mins.
• Stir in 1 finely diced red pepper and 1 grated carrot and cook for about 3 mins then add 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp smoked paprika and cook for just a minute.
• Add 100g red lentils and 2 tbsp tomato purée and cook for about 1 min, then add 300ml vegetable stock and simmer over a very gentle heat until all the liquid has been absorbed and the mixture is fairly dry. This should take about 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Finally, stir in 100g fresh breadcrumbs, 150g chopped mixed nuts, 3 lightly beaten large eggs, 100g grated mature cheddar, a handful of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley and a pinch of salt and some ground black pepper.
• Stir to mix well then spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and press down the surface.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins, then remove the foil and bake for a further 20 mins until firm when pressed gently.
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil very gently then add 2 finely sliced garlic cloves and 1 rosemary sprig and heat without colouring.
• Pour in 400ml passata and add a pinch of salt and some ground black pepper. Simmer gently for just 15 mins.
• Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for about 10 mins then turn out onto a serving board or plate. Remove the baking paper and cut into slices and serve with a little of the tomato sauce.
• To make a vegan nut roast, use an extra tbsp of oil in place of butter, no cheese and 3 tbsp egg replacer. Bake your nut roast for 1 hour. The loaf will still be soft in the middle after cooking.
• It can be cooked in advance and then chilled, sliced and reheated to make it easier to serve.

Steps:

• Combine the flaxseeds with 4 tbsp water in a small bowl, and leave to thicken. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the squash in a roasting tin with 1 tbsp olive oil, the za’atar, cumin and coriander. Cover the tin with foil and roast for 30-35 mins, or until the squash is tender but still holding its shape. Oil a 900g loaf tin and line with baking parchment.
• Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, and fry the onion, celery and mushrooms for 10-15 mins, or until softened. Stir in the garlic and miso paste.
• Tip the pistachios, chestnuts, breadcrumbs and parsley into a bowl, then stir in the flaxseed mixture, fried veg and roasted squash. Season well.
• Put the cranberries in a pan with the sugar and cook for 3-4 mins, or until the sugar has dissolved and the cranberries are just starting to soften. Spoon into the base of the loaf tin, then leave to stand for 5 mins to set slightly. Top with the nut roast mixture, patting it down firmly and smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. Cover with foil and bake for 25 mins, then uncover and bake for 25 mins more. Leave to rest for 15 mins, then invert onto a serving plate, removing the parchment. Top with extra chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds, then serve.