Nut loaf recipes became popular in the United States during World War I, when meat was scarce. They became popular again when food was rationed during World War II. How can you make a vegetarian dish that is meaty? Oxymoron, you say? Try this recipe. I think you’ll be surprised.
My family and visiting omnivore friends love it. The next day, I like to cut a one-inch slice off the leftover loaf and make sandwiches.
Meaty Nut Loaf
INGREDIENTS
1½ cups walnuts
½ cup unsalted cashews or almonds
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 yellow onion (finely chopped)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1½ cups cooked brown rice (it works with white, but brown is tastier)
2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh thyme (chopped)
1 teaspoon fresh sage leaves (chopped)
4 eggs (lightly beaten)
8 ounces Gruyere cheese (grated)
1 cup cottage cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan (you can use shortening, cooking oil, or butter). A round 9-inch springform pan works well, also. Set aside.
2. Toast walnuts and cashews on a baking sheet until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Do not burn. Let cool. Finely chop and set aside (I use a blender to chop the nuts). Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until translucent, about three minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and add toasted nuts, rice, parsley, marjoram, thyme, sage, eggs, Gruyere, cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Pour mixture into prepared pan, cover with foil, and bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, about 50 to 55 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, and your favorite side dishes.
Randy Graham is a private chef and author whose cookbooks include “The Ojai Valley Cookbook,” “The Ojai Valley Vegetarian” and the “The Ojai Valley Vegan.” He has been a vegetarian since 1975 and enjoys cooking for friends and family using ingredients from backyard vegetable and herb gardens.