Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly oil an 8-inch loaf pan and set aside. In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, sauté the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic in oil until onions are translucent. Set aside to cool. In a food processor, blend the bread and walnuts and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, bread mixture, “beef,” salt, pepper, oregano, basil, nutritional yeast, tahini, tamari, Worcestershire sauce, and “cheese.” Mix together until well blended. Press firmly into loaf pan and bake for 30 minutes. Pour ketchup evenly over top of loaf and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes before serving. Makes 4-6 servings.
(Reprinted with permission of the author)
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Instead of veggie burgers, I used textured vegetable protein (TVP) reconstituted with a veggie boullion (this is less expensive). And I found a vegan mozzarella cheese that I like, so I cut it into chunks instead of shredding it. It was so good! I hoarded it like a miser, denying my earlier desire to share it with my omnivore roommate. But I made a second loaf later in the week for a small dinner party and actually shared that one. (Well! It would've been rude to have people over for dinner and not feed them!) The omnivores liked it, too. The rest of the menu included mashed potatoes and a rich, chocolate cake. Just like mom used to make on Sundays!... only without eggs, milk, cheese, or meat.
Concerned about eating healthily while you eat compassionately? Kramer recommends that you read Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
Your enthusiasm really shines through.