I can safely say that lentil peas are the least favorite of legumes for many people – well, as far as I know. I can also say that these same people may have eaten the peas in one way too often. But lentil peas have been in the human diet for a very long time. It is nutritious; an excellent source of protein, dietary fibre, vitamins B1, folate, iron, vitamin K and minerals. It helps prevent heart diseases, and is perfect for adolescents and menstruating or pregnant women.
Lentil Loaf
We generally stew lentil peas with chicken (or any other meat) and serve it with rice or dumplings, or make lentil peas soup. This is a complete protein dish.However, when I have had enough of these combination my wife and I make a lentil loaf. This dish is enjoyable to prepare: preparation is simple and it smells wonderful while it is cooking. The different ingredients give it its varied, delicious aromas.
Lentil Loaf Recipe
This lentil loaf is a filling dish all by itself, but it also makes a good side dish. I encourage you to try this recipe, especially if you have never made a lentil loaf before. I guarantee you that you will find it to be a tasty and filling meal.
LENTIL LOAF
8 ozs.Lentils, soaked overnight in 4 cups water
2-3 tbsp.olive oil
2 large tomatoes (or 4 medium sized), skinned and sliced
1 carrot, coarsely grated
2onions, finely chopped
2sweet peppers, finely chopped
1-1½cupsoft breadcrumbs
1egg
2cloves of garlic
½tspsalt
1hot pepper, finely chopped (optional)
1 blade chive, finely chopped
1sprig of thyme, finely chopped
½ cupgrated cheese (optional)
2apples, peeled and grated
Cook lentils in some water until soft and water is absorbed. Mash with a fork and beat until smooth.
Heat oil in frying pan and fry onion, garlic, tomatoes, carrot, sweet peppers, apples, chive and thyme until soft.
When cooked, add mixture to lentil together with salt, pepper and bread crumbs. Bind together with egg. (If you wish you can add about ¼ cup of cheese to the mixure). Adjust salt to taste.
Press the final mixture in a greased loaf tin. Sprinkle the remainder of the grated cheese on the top. Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.Serve with green salad, vegetables, potatoes or rice and gravy.
Serves 6
The finished lentil loaf
Here, I used it as a side dish along with rice, fried fish fillet, and a lettuce salad.
If you like this recipe, you will also like our lentil patties.
Note: Don’t forget to leave your comment about lentil loaf in the comment box below.
This looks great, and delicious.
I love them. stewed, of course, but also as part of many dishes passed on through my mother from her Syrian background – falafel, kibbe, mjeddra etc
I don’t know who these lentil-haters are
Lifespan of a Chennette
I will like to know other ways to use lentils. Seeing that the Syrian Lebanese culture is part of sweet T&T
I feel obliged to learn some more from that culture as well. Maybe I’ll start with falafel.:)
This is going to be part of my meatless Monday lunch today! I thought about this all weekend dreading to make yet another pot of lentil soup or stewed lentils (although I LOVE lentils, one could really get fed up of the usual combos indeed). Never had the loaf and I’d make it right now if I didn’t have to go buy 2 apples later, hehe. Now only if you could pitch some ideas on what I could do with a bag of red beans besides make stewed red beans or beans and rice!
Anyway, happy Carnival! Really brings a lot of joy to a lone Trini abroad. ^_^
Thanks for the comment tiny. Well for starters Happy Carnival to you too, wish you were here. Jouvert was the bomb this morning.
Ideas…hmmm… Why not substitute the lentils with the red beans and make a red bean loaf. You could also do a red bean soup.
I haven’t tried these as yet but have added it to my recipe list. I’m sure I could come up with something delicious. Take care.
hi…can you recommend a replacement for the egg in this recipe for the people who are fasting/ vegetarian and don’t use eggs…..Thank you much
Since it’s a loaf you could try about 1/4 cup quick oats soaked in hot water. You could use this as a start then experiment with the measurement until you get something you could work with. Best of luck