First I cut up some veggies and got them roasting. For the loaf, I used the recipe for Three-Bean Loaf from Vegan on the Cheap. It’s an easy and versatile recipe that combines minced onion, carrot, celery, and garlic with beans (you can swap different kinds), oats, wheat gluten flour, bread crumbs, and seasonings. That’s it. Just shape and bake at 375 for about 50 minutes. The recipe calls for adding a topping made with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and vinegar, but I just added a strip of ketchup on top instead.
As dinner baked in the oven, I inhaled the wonderful fragrance. It got me to reminiscing about my first foray into cooking a vegetarian meal back in the ‘70s. It was a bean loaf I made from a then-rare vegetarian recipe I found in a magazine. I admit that first bean loaf I made wasn’t the greatest, but to me it tasted like freedom. For the first time I felt empowered that I could go vegetarian and never look back.
At dinner that night, I thought about the significance of that first meatless loaf so many years ago and it made my delicious dinner taste all the more satisfying.
Oh man, that looks good. I have so many recipes tagged from that book.....I can never decide what to make first!
ReplyDeletethat's a beautiful recipe and story. i haven't made a bean loaf yet, but i the other day made an inspiring nut loaf- my first ever. i suppose i will try a bean loaf this coming week. cheers, caitlin
ReplyDeleteI have not tried this meatless loaf recipe yet though I have tried the other one in VOTC. The mushroom gravy is soooooo good with it! Also I wanted to say I am in LOVE with the Faux Parm! I can eat that stuff plain!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful loaf! I bought VOTC a few days ago, and am looking forward to using it.
ReplyDeleteMmmm - I'm intrigued by a bean loaf - I usually make lentil loafs. My current favorite lentil loaf is http://www.kitchenmonki.com/recipe/Lentil_Loaf. Any chance of posting the recipe for the bean loaf?
ReplyDeleteRobin
ReplyDeleteI was totally inspired by this post!
I just had to make something last night.
It was delicious!
Thanks for sharing
http://laurenmccullough.com/wordpress/?p=118
That sounds and looks delish! I haven't tried a meatleass loaf yet. Looks like I am going to have to buy another cookbook! :o)
ReplyDeleteIt looks yummy! Does it taste dry at all? It certainly doesn't look like it is!
ReplyDeletejessyburke88@gmail.com
That looks tasty ...and now I too am craving meatloaf! I love them as a great way to use leftover okara when I make tofu.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your great comments!
ReplyDeleteRachel, cooked lentils can be used in this loaf as well (easy to adapt according to what you have on hand). You can see the recipe on "look inside" on Amazon.
Jessica, No, it's not dry - nice and moist. Just don't let it cook too long (45 to 55 minutes - depending on your oven) if it starts to brown too much, just cover with foil.
Kip, great idea to use leftover okara. That's what I like about these loaves -- you can add different ingredients you have on hand. I've even added chopped leftover veggie burgers.
Made this last night and it was very good! My husband said he thought it was a little on the dry side but I think he just wanted extra sauce! To other readers making this: You might want to double the sauce part, put half on loaf and save the other half for dipping!
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