Vegetarian Nut Loaf for a Delicious Alternative to the Thanksgiving Turkey (Recipe)
Posted on : November 16th, 2017
How many of you have vegetarian family and friends coming over for Thanksgiving? No turkey? What will you serve? Well, if you like nuts, that’s easy! Vegetarian Nut Loaf is such a classic recipe for the holidays, you could call it a tradition.
My first introduction to Nut Loaf didn’t feel holiday-worthy at all. It was served covered with ketchup and reminded me more of meat loaf than something special for Thanksgiving. But it was delicious!
Later I discovered variations using herbs reminiscent of what you might choose for a turkey. With mushroom gravy ladled on top, it fits right in and tastes especially good with mashed potatoes, vegetables and all the holiday fixings you would ordinarily serve. And did I already say that is DELICIOUS? Seriously, it is surprising good—even the carnivores at our table have liked it.
Vegetarian Nut Loaf
Serves 8
- 1 onion, medium chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups finely-chopped mushrooms (any kind—try shiitake mushrooms for something special)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- Red wine or sherry
- 2 cups COOKED brown rice
- 3 cups nuts, finely chopped (half walnuts, half cashews or almonds or a combination)
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 12 oz grated cheese (Gruyere, Swiss, cheddar, or your favorite)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Sauté the onion in oil until it begins to soften. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms are soft.
- Add the garlic and herbs, and a splash or red wine or sherry and continue to cook until the sauce created by the mushroom juices and wine is reduced. Your mixture should be moist but not overly liquid. Remove from the heat and let cool a little.
- While the mushroom mixture cools, butter or oil a 9-inch loaf pan. You don’t need to do this but lining the pan with foil will make the loaf easier to remove from the pan later.
- In a large bowl, toss the brown rice and nuts together. In a separate bowl beat the eggs with the cottage cheese. Add the egg mixture to the rice/nut mixture, then stir in the cooled mushrooms, grated cheese and fresh herbs. Mix well.
- Fill the loaf pan with the nut mixture.
- Bake for about an hour or until the loaf is firm. Let cool for 15 minutes, then invert the loaf onto a serving dish. Alternatively, you could lift the loaf from the pan using the foil.
- Serve with a mushroom gravy or whatever you would ordinarily serve with a turkey.
Looking for more vegetarian recipes for Thanksgiving? The Greatist has an excellent selection on this list.
Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products, Inc. was founded on strong beliefs and passion for offering unique, flavorful, top-quality, nut products. We strongly believe in earth-friendly practices that start on our family-owned and operated orchards. We use organic farming practices and continue in the process by using all-natural ingredients with no preservatives or GMOs. We believe in honest, friendly and helpful customer relations at all levels. We take pride in every task, every day, with every person.
