Lentil Loaf: It Brightens Any Rainy Day!
April 9, 2011 § 36 Comments
When I was little, Lent was just the season before Easter. I wouldn’t give anything up, so it didn’t mean much to me. As I got older I began to give up little things like gum and Nutella, but Lent was still just the season before Easter. Now I give up Nutella, understand the meaning behind Lent, [Thank you Catholic High School!] and use it as an excuse to try out as many vegetarian recipes as possible! 
All year I’ve really wanted to make Angela’s Ultimate Lentil Walnut Loaf. I don’t remember what drew me to it in the first place, but I’m pretty sure it had something to do with how different it was. I had never heard of making meatloaf without meat before! But it looked delicious, so I gave it a shot and I’m so glad that I did!
Now, before I get into telling you how delicious the Lentil Loaf was, let me tell you a little story.
Back in January, when Angela first posted the recipe for her Ultimate Lentil Walnut Loaf, I immediately knew I wanted to make it. I pitched the idea to my mom and she said “It better be good or else I’m not eating it!” I told her not to worry so she gave me permission to pick up all the necessary ingredients at the store. Lentils. Walnuts. Carrots. Flax. I was ready for action, or so I thought. As the days went on my homework load got heavier and heavier, Track started, and mom made dinner every night. I forgot about the Lentil Loaf. Days, weeks, and eventually months went by until I finally rediscovered the dusty bag of lentils in the back of my pantry. Again I gathered up the necessary ingredients and waited for the perfect day to finally make my beloved Lentil Loaf.
Yesterday it was a cool 50 degrees and rainy outside. All day I thought Track practice would be cancelled. It wasn’t. So there I was, in my new running shorts, at school doing intervals with my team in the rain. We did a 1.5 mile jog to warm-up, 8 sets of 200 meter sprints, and another 1.5 mile jog to cool-down. It wasn’t a hard workout, but I was dripping wet by the time we were finished. As I was finishing my last lap, the thought of making Lentil Loaf popped into my head.
When I got home I showered, got dressed in my comfiest sweatpants and t-shirt, and decided that it was time to get to work. The entire family was home and meat was off-limits since it was Friday. In other words it was the perfect time to experiment with Lentil Loaf. 
I followed Angela’s recipe almost exactly. Almost. I think it’s impossible for me to follow a recipe ingredient-for-ingredient and step-by-step. It must be the chef in me.
I substituted dried cranberries for raisins, agave for maple syrup, omitted the celery, and doubled the amount of glaze.
As we sat down to dinner and I pulled the Lentil Loaf out of the oven, my dad started to give me a confused look. “But Erika, we can’t have meat on a Friday.” he said. “Dad, there is no meat in this meatloaf…just lentils!” I replied. I could see that he was judging my Lentil Loaf. “C’mon it’s good. Try it!” I told him as he took his first bite. “This actually isn’t too bad. It’s actually pretty darn good.” he announced as everyone else began to dig in. Everyone “Mmmmm-ed” in agreement.
Success! 
This happens to me all the time! I find a good recipe and always end up putting it off. I’m glad you finally got to make it…and that your dad approved.
I love lentil loaves! I’ve only made it once but it was amaaaazing. That’s so funny that your dad thought it was a real meatloaf!
I wish my parents liked what I cooked. Most of the time, my recipes end up in a catastrophic mess! This lentil loaf looks really yummy. Now all I have to do is convince my mother that I won’t ruin it
I love the idea of a meatless meatloaf! It looks like it turned out great.
My family is always skeptical about eating what I make too- until they actually try it.
This would have been perfect when I was a vegetarian, I missed my comfort foods like woah. But now it’ll be a perfect Meatless Mondays option, since I’m not so big into Lent
you’re brave for trying this! i’m just starting to eat lentils but i’m not quite ready to try a full lentil loaf yet! but someday
I have to convince my parents too hard to eat something that they aren’t use to. My dad asked me one time what the bird seeds were, I said it was quinoa lol Love the lentil loaf, yum!
OMG iv been wanting to try her loaf!!!!!!! you make it look so so beautiful!
I’ve been dying to try lentil loaf! I have so many bags of lentils and I have no idea how to use them. I totally forgot about this though. I haven’t had meatloaf in ages and now I’m craving it!
Ohhh that looks sooooo good!! I love lentils and veggie loafs, so that looks absolutely perfect for me! And the pictures are so beautiful
YUM YUM and MORE YUM! Lentil loaf is one of my all time favorite meals….Angela’s recipe is amazing! You captured its deliciousness in your pics so well….the pics are so bright and crisp!
I saw this on Angelas site and was hesitant to make it…I always feel like I need to have proof from other people making something before I try. Now I”m ready
thank you!
Same here! I always need that proof. Not because I don’t trust the recipe, but because I just feel better.
i like your substitutions!! WHEN I make this I’ll use your recipe
YAY! congrats on your successful loaf haha my dad totally judges what I make sometimes and then I’ll make him try it and what do you know, he ends up loving whatever it is!! happens alll the time:)
Oooh, I’ve been meaning to make this! Looks so good!
Hey! Your loaf looks amazing! Love your photos
I made the lentil loaf a few Fridays ago. It wasn’t the same exact recipe, but it was really good!
Oh Erika, it looks delicious! I’ve been thinking of making it too, only I think my family would be too weirded out and I’d be the only one to eat it! I bought lentils though, I’m thinking I’ll just make a soup or something with them.
I SO want to eat that!!
That looks awesome!!! I definitely want to try it out!
That looks delicious!! I’m the same way…I always have to tweak at least one thing in a recipe. I have to make it “mine” hehehe.
Ooh I’ve made a lentil loaf before (using an Eat Live Run recipe) and it turned out great! Love them
I love lentil loaves sooo good!
mmm mmm mmmmmm
that looks gorgeous!
beautiful photography also
I will be making this for Easter dinner, mark my words! I LOOOVE lentil loaf! So glad you finally got around to trying it. Happy Birthday.
Girl! Your photos are making my mouth water for real. I must make this soon!
What a fabulous recipe! Definitely going to save this one! Thanks for the idea!
This looks so good and I love all of your pics….amazing photography!
I am very intrigued. I think I’ll be giving it a shot!
The story about your dad’s (and mom’s!) hesitation sold me!
Cute story! My fiance is a carnivore through and through, but I am really tempted to try this sucker. It looks so good!
I am a middle school teacher and I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality of your writing (and your photographs). If this is what your blog is like at 15, I can’t imagine where it will end up! Beautiful work.
You should try it! I’m sure both of you will love it!
Thank you so for those wonderful compliments! I’m blushing!
This really looks like a feast! Great photos!
haha niiice~if that comes from a dad, then it MUST be good!
WOW! that looks amazing! Just like REAL meatloaf! CUZ I would know!
This looks delicious! My dad would act the same…just look at it weirdly but still eat it!