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Spiced Quinoa Lentil Loaf

Enjoy this fresh, plant-based spin on meatloaf,  loaded with protein, fiber and iron. This hearty meal is super easy to make!  The spices add flavor and potent phytonutrients like curcumin, found in turmeric, which offers immune supporting, cancer fighting, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.

Turmeric is thought to help combat a long list of conditions including arthritis, allergies, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.  Adding ground black pepper to foods with turmeric may help to significantly enhance the absorption of curcumin through a phytonutrient in black pepper called piperine.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (170 g) quinoa
  • 2 cups (400 g) lentils
  • 2 1/4 cups (18 oz., 540 mL) water
  • 2 oz tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) ground flax seed
  • 1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tbsp cumin
  • 1/2 tbsp coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 large handfuls spinach
  • 1/4 lemon
  • 4 tbsp parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F/ 190 C.
  2. Grease loaf pan with 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil.
  3. Cook quinoa in rice cooker or on stove with 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed and 2 cups water (16 oz, 480 mL).
  4. Cook lentils in pot on stove.  Add lentils to pot, cover with water.  Simmer for about 30 minutes until tender and water is soaked into lentils.
  5. Chop onion garlic.
  6. Sauté onion and garlic in coconut oil on medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  7. Wash spinach.
  8. Once quinoa and lentils are cooked, scoop into large bowl.
  9. Add chopped onion and garlic including remaining coconut oil used for sauteing.
  10. Add flax, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, 1/8 cup (1 oz, 30 mL) water,  spinach, salt, pepper, turmeric, coriander, cumin, squeeze in lemon.
  11. Mix together using your hands.  Add more water or tomato sauce or bread crumbs and flax seed as needed.
  12. Cook for about 45-60 minutes, until top of loaf is lightly browned and crispy.
  13. Chop parsley, use for garnish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 510

Fat: 12 g

Trans Fat: 3.5 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 350 mg

Carbohydrates: 78 g

Fiber: 25 g

Sugars: 4 g

Protein: 25g