MUSHROOM LENTIL LOAF n BURGERS
 
One recipe and two vegan mains that will wow you and your family!
When it comes to feeding families fast, affordably and conveniently and fulfilling familiar longings for fun and comforting foods these two ace it! This big batch recipe yields a substantial sized loaf and 4 burgers that freeze fabulously. The loaf is actually better if made a day in advance, chilled overnight and reheated.
See my tips below for more ideas.

• Main course
• Prep time – 10 minutes, Cooking  time – approx. 60-70 minutes for the loaf
• Vegan, gluten, soy and nut-free options 
• Yield:  one 5 x 9.5in loaf and 4 burgers

INGREDIENTS

• Avocado, olive oil or broth, to sauté
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  
• 2-3 cloves garlic or 1 generous tsp, minced
  
• 2 cups mushrooms roughly chopped
  
• 3 generous tbsp tomato paste
  
• 3 cups cooked  lentils
  
• 1/3 cup flax seed meal mixed w/ ½ cup water or veggie broth or fresh juice
  
• ¼ cup lemon juice
  
• 2 tbsp organic gluten-free tamari or 3 tbsp coconut aminos
  
• 1 cup almond meal* plus extra if making burgers
  
• ½ cup sunflower seeds, ground to meal. or additional almond meal
  
• 1/3 cup bean, oat or buckwheat flour (plus extra if needed for burgers)
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp each paprika, coriander, thyme, sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper or cayenne pepper if preferred
• 3 tbsp fresh thyme, parsley or cilantro, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C. Brush a little oil onto the bottom of a 4 x 9.5 in loaf pan and line with parchment paper.  Set aside.
2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium high (or two medium size pans); add a splash of oil, then sauté onions, peppers and garlic a few minutes.  Next add the mushrooms and tomato paste and continue to sauté until the mushrooms are slightly caramelized. Let cool a few minutes.
3. Using a food processor, puree the veggies along with the flax mixture to roughly chop.
4. Measure in the remaining ingredients and pulse to mix careful not to over-process.  (You may need to do this in two batches). The mixture will still be slightly chunky for you do want some texture.  Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Set aside approx. 2 cups for burgers if desired.
5. Drop the remaining mixture into the prepared loaf pan, spread evenly and bake in the pre-heated oven for 60-70 minutes or until the top is browned and the loaf sturdy when pressed.  Cool on a rack 10 minutes before slicing and serve with a smoky SunButter miso sauce, chutney, salsa verde or Sriracha as desired. 

TO MAKE THE BURGERS:

1. Add additional almond meal or flour until the mixture is sturdy enough to shape into patties that stay together. Chill 60 minutes before shaping into 4 round patties.
2. Freeze them between sheets of parchment to be sauteed later or bake with the loaf approx. 20 minutes, flip and back another 10 minutes) or until browned and crisped as desired with a bronzed crust. 

TERI’S TIPS:

• The burgers are fine in buns or as patties with roasted vegetables or a veggie and grain pilaf yet they’re so impressive stacked over large tamari and garlic basted roasted Portobello mushroom caps nestled in a bed of oven wilted, salted greens and/or a pool of salsa verde, marinara or the SunButter miso sauce.
• Cut the burgers in half and tuck into pita pockets for a great grab n go lunch.
• Slice leftover lentil loaf into fingers and make wraps or crumble into large chunks and fill tacos topping with any fixins you love.
• Want to ante up your nutrient intake? Add 3-4 servings of Liquid Light and another tbsp flax seeds to the flax mixture.

*Allergic to nuts?  Sub the almond meal with additional sunflower seed meal

• I made this loaf as a main course alternative to Turkey using generous teaspoons of dried  thyme, sage and rosemary along with 1/2 cup fresh parsley and a few tbsp fresh thyme and rosemary, I topped it with a mixture of 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1/4 cup cranberry sauce, 2 tbsp tamari, sriracha to taste and a pinch sea salt. Served with cranberry sauce and gravy if desired and... so so good!

Recipe created by Teri Gentes www.terigentes.com  – permission required to reprint

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