LENTIL QUINOA LOAF

Both lentils and quinoa are very versatile ingredients.  There are so many ways to use lentils in recipes. Besides using quinoa as a side dish to your main dish, you can use quinoa in place of oatmeal as a hot cereal in the morning.  I have made recipes before using quinoa and lentils but I haven't combined the two in the same recipe.  This recipe does just that and tastes great.  It has a nutty flavour due to both the quinoa and almonds and is filling.  I came across this recipe in the Alive Magazine and made some small changes.

Vegetables cooking in the frying pan.

All the ingredients are mixed in a large bowl.

The mixture is pressed into a loaf pan and then baked.

Golden brown after baking.   

LENTIL QUINOA LOAF

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup brown/green lentils

2 ½ cups water

½ cup quinoa

1 cup water

1 tbsp oil

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, thinly chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 red pepper, chopped

2 tsp curry powder

½ cup almonds, pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

2 eggs, beaten

¾ cup quick cooking oats

1 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

 salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium saucepan, bring the lentils and 2 ½ cups water to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, covered and cook for about 25 minutes until the lenders are tender.  Drain any excess water from the lentils.

In a separate small pan, bring the quinoa and 1 cup water to boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until all of the water is absorbed.

In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, celery, carrot and mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.  Add the red pepper and curry and continue to cook for about 4 minutes.

In a large bowl, add the eggs, oatmeal, lentils, quinoa, vegetables, nuts, parsley and salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Pour the mixture into a loaf pan and press down until even.  Place in a 350 degree F oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until firm and golden brown.  Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.  Serves 4 people as an entre.  Serve with salsa.

Adapted from Alive Magazine, October 2010