Vegetarian Mushroom "Meatloaf"

 

Veggie Mushroom "Meatloaf"  

So often one is trying to eat healthily and can't think of anything to make. This Vegetarian "meatloaf" recipe is satisfying with mushrooms, rice, nuts, and herbs that will awaken your taste buds. Not to mention the good amount of parmesan cheese in this recipe making it extra savory. The texture is the most special part- as if eating a real chunky meatloaf. I would almost consider this a casserole especially since my loaf pan was MIA, and I had to use a medium casserole baking dish. It still turned out great! If you are brave you can take it to a Thanksgiving dinner or for a Christmas Dinner. Your friends and family just might be pleasantly surprised! 

Ingredients: 

3 oz Baby Bella mushrooms

3 oz Shitake mushrooms 

4 eggs

1 cup greek cow yogurt/or goat yogurt

1/2 cup Walnuts, lightly toasted 

1 cup Parmesan cheese grated fine 

1 1/2 cups of cooked white rice/or brown rice

2 Shallots 

3 Cloves of garlic

2 Tbsp flat leaf parsley, fresh 

1 Tsp Marjoram, dried 

1 Tsp Sage, dried 

1 Tsp Thyme, fresh 

1/2 Tsp Black pepper 

1 Tsp Sea Salt
2 Tbsp Olive Oil 

The recipe requires a bit of time. 

1. You want to first cook the rice so that you have it ready to mix in with the other ingredients. 

2. Do a quick toasting of the walnuts in the oven. I used my bottom griller on low for 2 minutes. The first batch I left in there for too long, and had charred bits. No Bueno. Use your timer.

3. Pre Heat oven to 375 degrees. 

4.  Saute with a tablespoon of olive oil the mushrooms, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices. Not for very long. Just 2 minutes to soften. *(I think this step does release some flavor, but I have even put this mushroom mixture into a bowl without this step and it turned out just as well!) 

5. In a big bowl: beat the eggs with salt and pepper, then combine the rice, nuts, yogurt, cheese, parsley, and mushroom mixture from above. Add one more Tablespoon of olive oil. 

6.  Line your loaf pan or casserole pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan 

7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. For the last 15 minutes, I cover the pan with foil.  

Serve hot, with a side of cranberries (I made those the day before). I served it with butter lettuce, cucumber salad, and a dash of balsamic vinegar. Any side dish will do! 

Happy Holidays!

~Tarabud 🌲🎁

Gingerbread Cake For the Holidays

Happy Holidays from Sunny California! 🎄🎅

Nothing makes a household happier than a Gingerbread Cake with walnuts!

Well... maybe Santa Clause coming down the chimeney.  In all seriousnes for a moment, 

I find this is one of the most heartwarming desserts during the holidays.

Also, with the oven on for baking, your home will be nice and warm!  

This is a gluten-free version, but you can make this recipe with regular flour and it will turn out just as good.

Also, nuts are optional, but they do add more texture to each bite.  

Ingredients : 

•         ▢½ cup light brown sugar
• ▢3/4 cup molasses
• ▢½ cup unsalted butter ( alternate: 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup applesauce)
• ▢¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
•         ▢ 2 eggs at room temperature
• ▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢2 ½ cups Gluten-free flour
•    ▢1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢½ teaspoon salt
• ▢2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ▢1 teaspoon heaping of pressed fresh ginger 
• ▢¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ▢1 cup boiling water
• ▢1 Tablespoon of powdered sugar
• ▢1/4 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)
  
  

  

  Mixing the walnuts in before the boiling water
  
  

  
  

Simple Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2.  In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy

3.  Add molasses, yogurt, eggs & vanilla and beat on medium until well mixed.

4.  In a separate bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until blended.

5.  Add dry ingredients, slowly, to wet ingredients until mixed. I use a sifter and snowflake the dry      

     ingredients into the wet ones. It takes longer but it works well to blend them.

6.  Blend in boiling water.

7.  Immediately pour into greased and floured cake pan, and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a 

     toothpick comes out clean.

8.  This recipe can also be made in small loaf pans and will bake faster at 20-30 minutes.

9.  Use a sifter to sprinkle powdered sugar on the cake. 

Enjoy with family and friends! 

Happy Holidays! 

~Tarabud