A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast

***RECIPE***
Easter is nearly upon us and apart from Christmas and New Year, it is one of the only other times of the year that many families have the opportunity to get together during a holiday period. The unofficial start to spring and the tourist season here in the UK, it also means that for the next six months our days will be longer, warmer (hopefully) and happier too.

With two Bank Holidays, for many people that means four days off work, as we hit the quarter-year mark. Whether you will be out egg hunting or waiting in at home for the Easter Bunny here is an alternative recipe for Vegetarian Loaf this Easter for any friends or family members who have decided to give up meat or if you are looking for a meat-free alternative to lamb on the dinner table.

A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast

This is a recipe for a lentil and nut roast that has evolved from one for a cheese and lentil wedges that I first made as a student at Birmingham University from my trusted Cranks Recipe Book. 


A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast

I have adapted it over time and added my own extra ingredients but it is still one of my favourite veggie dishes and takes no time at all to make and bake - less than 45 mins from start to finish.

Ingredients

  • 175g (6oz) red lentils
  • 75g (3oz) cashew nuts
  • 450ml (3/4pt) water
  • 1 large onion
  • 25g (1oz) butter or margarine
  • 100g (4oz) mature cheddar cheese
  • 1 carrot
  • 5ml (1tsp) mixed herbs
  • 1 free-range egg
  • 2 slices wholemeal bread
  • salt and pepper to taste
A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast

Method

  1. Cook the lentils in the water until soft and all the liquid has been absorbed.
  2. Chop the onion.
  3. Break the cashew nuts into small pieces.
  4. Grate the cheese and the carrot.

A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast


5. Make breadcrumbs from the sliced bread - to make these I toast the bread and then roughly grate it.
6. Combine all the ingredients together and press into an oiled sandwich tin.
7. Bake in the oven at 190°C (375°F/Mark 5) for 30 minutes.
8. Slice and serve as an alternative to a Sunday roast with vegetarian gravy and all the trimmings.


A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast

A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast


The recipe originally made wedges that could be eaten hot or cold. This recipe serves six and any additional slices that remain also work well cold with a salad for an amazing quick lunch too. We added a salad and had curry sauce on the side. Really tasty the following day too. It also costs less than £2.50 to make too!


A Vegetarian Alternative to the Traditional Sunday Roast






What is your favourite Vegetarian recipe?

Deb x








15 Comments

  1. As a vegetarian this sounds like such a yummy alternative to meat! Bookmarked to come back to :)

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  2. This looks delicious. I haven't eaten meat since last summer and the thing people don't seem to get right is a good vegetarian Sunday dinner. I'm going to save this any try and recreate it. Thank you!!

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  3. I'm not sure we've ever done anything special for Easter. Your food looks lovely

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  4. Looks great. I have friends who are vegetarian and I sometimes struggle with what to feed them. I may just give this a try...thanks

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  5. This looks great, I may try it and use wheat free bread, so I'll let you know how I get on!

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  6. I have never tried a nut roast before, we do eat meat at Easter but I am going off it the older I get and I am eating more vegetarian meals lately. I will have to try this sometime x

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  7. I am liking the alternative traditional Sunday roast more than the usual, this looks absolutely delicious

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  8. This looks good. I'm ashamed to say that all my fave Easter recipes happen to be cake lol x

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  9. Looks really tasty, but I don't think I could give up my Easter Sunday meat roast I'm afraid!

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  10. I love a vegetarian roast. My husband doesn't though! However, I am going to try and convince him with this yummy recipe. Looks amazing #FoodieFriday

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  11. ooo ive been looking for a new loaf recipe for ages thanks so much!!
    Thanks for linking to #foodiefriday don't forget to join us next week!

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  12. This looks like something we could all enjoy (one of my daughters is a veggie) will definitely give this a go

    #foodiefriday

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  13. I have that cookbook, have had it for years! I used to go to Cranks restaurant in London - this is really a blast from the past!

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  14. This vegetarian loaf is a fantastic and healthy option to the traditional Sunday roast indeed. Looks absolutely delicious too!

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  15. I really like this idea, I'm always looking for a good vego option and having a Sunday roast vego style really appeals. Thanks for sharing.

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