November 3rd, 2014
Meatless Monday!! Rehoboth Beach Eats! Veggie Loaf, Gluten Free, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware
I have tons of cookbooks. Not enough years to read them. Some I like better than others. This Meatless Monday recipe is not my own, but I treat it like it is. It was Giada’s mother’s recipe. It is good; perfect for company. A little tricky getting out of the loaf pan, though.
Veggie Loaf gives you an opportunity to leave meats on the side. Just by itself, it is plenty. Serve it with a fruit salad would be my choice.
VEGGIE LOAF
LOAF:
Cooking Spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion, chopped (finely, please)
1 shredded carrot
1 celery stalk, sliced (thinly, please)
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 15 ounce canned cooked lentils, drained
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 cup low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup canned corn
1/3 cup chopped basil leaves (If not available use basil paste by the vegetables in the grocery store. Use about 2 tablespoons.)
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 tsp. kosher salt (optional)
1/2 tsp. freshly black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, sliced (You can use smaller tomatoes, as well.)
SAUCE:
1 box (pint) cherry tomatoes, halved
3 scallions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped (optional)
8 fresh basil leaves (Use basil paste, if fresh basil leaves are unavailable.)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp. Kosher salt (optional)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Make the sauce first and just put it aside. In a blender or food processor chopped the ingredients. Do not puree, you want them a little coarse. I used a blender.
Proceed with the loaf:
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a skillet, over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, carrot, onion, celery….cook for about 5 minutes or so stirring frequently. Put in a large bowl to cool.
In the same skillet, cook spinach until it wilts, which does not take long. Drain and let cool slightly. Squeeze the excess liquid. On a cutting board coarsely chop it. Add to the onion mixture.
Add the lentils, brown rice, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella, the corn, basil, eggs, egg white, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup of the sauce to the already cooled veggie mixture.
Fill the loaf pan with this mixture. Arrange the tomatoes in a couple of rows, depending on their size, covering the mixture.
Sprinkle the remining 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Bake until loaf is heated through and the topping has melted and starts to brown. It might take 35 minutes or a bit more. Let it cool for about 15 minutes.
Slicing this loaf is tricky. Do so while the loaf is still in the pan. Do not attempt to take it out. Otherwise, you will have to do some rearranging.
I think 1 inch slices will be a good portion. Arrange on plates and top with sauce. Enjoy your Meatless…..whatever day you want it to be.
Note: This recipe was gluten free. Please check the labels for canned goods, grate your own mozzarella cheese or read the label on the bag. If using basil paste instead of fresh basil, Gourmet Garden, Basil Paste is gluten free and usually available by the produce in the local grocery stores.
Tags: AboutMyBeaches, Activities, Coastal Delaware, DE Beaches, Delaware Beaches, gluten free recipe, Meatless Monday, Meatless Monday Recipe, Recipe, Somewhat Easy Recipe, Southern Delaware, Sussex County, Visiting Rehoboth Beach, What to do at the beaches
