Vegetarian meatloaf

In an effort to put more whole grains, legumes, and a greater variety of veggies on the table, I've started poking around in vegetarian cooking to fluff the offerings on the table.

As a side note, you know the stupidest thing that has gotten me to start having more variety on the table?



Right. These plates were at Target for $1. So, each meal we just put something in each space. There are so many easy grain, vegetable, and legume dishes that can either be put together from fresh or frozen that I really don't have any excuse (laziness? the same absent mindedness that let Pebbles eat ALL-BRAN? yeah, I'm still shaking my head over that one.) to have a rounded meal on the table.

Here's my latest discovery:

Really Good Vegetarian Meatloaf (really!)
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup lentils
1 small onion , diced
1 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup grated cheese (cheddar, swiss, jack or american)
1 egg , beaten
4 1/2 ounces spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1Add salt to water and boil in a saucepan.

2Add lentils and simmer covered 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of water is evaporated.

3Remove from fire.

4Drain and partially mash lentils.

5Scrape into mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.

6Stir in onion, oats and cheese until mixed.

7Add egg, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, parsley, seasoning salt and pepper.

8Mix well.

9Spoon into loaf pan that has been generously sprayed with Pam (non-stick cooking spray) or well-greased.

10Smooth top with back of spoon.

11Bake at 350 degrees for 30- 45 minutes until top of loaf is dry, firm and golden brown.

12Cool in pan on rack for about 10 minutes.

13Run a sharp knife around edges of pan then turn out loaf onto serving platter.

(Link to recipe)

I used mild cheddar and Prego spaghetti sauce (left overs from using it as pizza sauce). Served with a dollop of hummus, it's absolutely delicious. If I weren't nursing I might try salsa or chipotle sauce instead of the spaghetti sauce. It's helpful to chop the onion very fine and give it a bit of a sautee before mixing it in. I'm also told that blackbeans do well in this recipe as well.

Just.... try not to think of it as a meatloaf. There's nothing wrong with Lentil Lump.