Lentil Mushroom Stuffing Recipes

SIMPLE VEGAN STUFFING

Steps:

• The night before, cube your bread and set it in a large bowl to dry out - you want it to be the texture of day old bread - noticeably dry but not rock hard.
• The day of, if you haven't already cooked your lentils, do so now by thoroughly rinsing 3/4 cup lentils in cold water, then adding to a small saucepan with 1 1/2 cups veggie broth or water (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
• Cook over medium-high heat until a low boil is achieved, and then lower to a simmer and continue cooking uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a 9x13 pan (or comparable sized dish // as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) with foil or spray with nonstick spray. Also prepare flax egg by mixing flaxseed meal and water and set aside.
• Sauté onion and celery in the olive oil or vegan butter and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook until fragrant and translucent - about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• To the bowl of bread, pour most of the broth then add the remaining ingredients (sage, cooked veggies, flax egg, and lentils) and mix with a wooden spoon. The key is to make sure it is about the consistency of a meatloaf: Moist but not soggy. It should hold its shape if formed into a shape but liquid shouldn't squeeze out of it. Too dry and it will be really dry after cooking. Too wet and it will be soggy and never get any crisp texture. If too dry, add more broth and mix again. If it's gotten too wet, add more bread.
• Transfer to the prepared pan and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the top layer of foil so the top can brown. Increase heat to 400 degrees F (204 C) and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the top is well browned and crisp.
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven, though best when fresh.
• This dish would be awesome with vegan mashed potatoes and my vegan mushroom gravy!

LENTIL MUSHROOM STEW OVER MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat a large rimmed pan over medium heat. Once hot, add oil or water and shallot and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add mushrooms and coconut aminos and increase heat to medium-high. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Add thyme, lentils, and 2 cups (480 ml // or the smaller end of the range if adjusting recipe size) vegetable broth. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook on low for about 20 minutes, adding more broth as needed if the mixture looks dry.
• In the meantime, add potatoes to a large pot and cover with water so they are just submerged. Bring to a boil on high heat and cook for 12-15 minutes or until they slide off easily when pierced with a knife.
• Once tender, drain potatoes and add back to pot or a mixing bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil and mash until tender and fluffy. For added moisture in place of oil, add unsweetened plain almond milk or vegetable broth.
• Once lentils are tender, taste sauce and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt or coconut aminos for saltiness, pepper for spice, or tomato paste for more depth of flavor (optional - we didn't find it necessary). Turn off heat and let the mixture rest so flavors can deepen. Add the 2 Tbsp (30 g // or more as needed) mashed potatoes to the lentil mushroom stew and stir in to thicken.
• To serve, divide mashed potatoes between serving plates or bowls and top with desired amount of lentil and mushroom gravy. Garnish with fresh parsley, vegan parmesan cheese, or more thyme, if desired.
• Store leftovers separately, covered, up to 4 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop or in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven until hot.

SERIOUSLY GOOD MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176° C).
• Cut bread into 1-inch cubes, spread out onto a large rimmed baking sheet, and bake, stirring every so often, until the bread is dry and hard on the outside, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While the bread bakes, prepare and cook the vegetables. Chop the mushrooms into very small pieces either by hand or by using a food processor. If using a food processor (the quickest method), place half the mushrooms in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until roughly chopped into pieces the size of rice. Transfer to a bowl, and then repeat with the remaining mushrooms.
• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep pot over medium heat, and then add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid has evaporated and they are starting to brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the onions, celery, garlic, sage, and thyme. Cook, stirring often, until the onions have softened and smell sweet, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper - start with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, taste, and then add from there. Stir in the maple syrup.
• Take the pot off of the heat, and then stir in the broth. Taste the mixture once more and check the seasoning. If it needs it, add a pinch more salt. Stir in the bread cubes and half of the parsley. If after the bread is well mixed into the vegetable mixture, it still looks dry, add 1/4 cup more broth or more until the bread looks moist, but stop before there is excess liquid at the bottom of the pot.
• Transfer the stuffing mixture to a lightly greased baking dish (use a deep 8-inch x 8-inch square pan, 9-inch by 13-inch dish or similar). Cover with a layer of foil, and then bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the stuffing, and bake another 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crisp on top. Serve with the remaining parsley scattered on top.

BAKED LENTIL AND MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• In a small ovenproof saucepan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
• Add the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
• Add the lentils, broth, ½ cup water, sage and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil. Cover, transfer to the oven, and bake for 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
• Remove from the oven and stir in the walnuts.

STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In large skillet, sauté the onions and cashews with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sauté until onions are soft and lightly browned. Add garlic and let cook a few more minutes.
• In a large bowl combine onion mixture, brown rice, lentils, breadcrumbs, vegetable broth, basil and thyme. Mix together and season to taste with salt and pepper. (The stuffing can be made up to three days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.)
• Brush both sides of mushroom caps lightly with olive oil and place top-side down on an oiled sheet pan. Stuff mushrooms with about 1/2 cup lentil cashew stuffing, then press one tomato slice on top of the stuffing. (The mushrooms can be stuffed and assembled on a baking tray the day before you plan to bake and serve them.)
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the stuffing is browned and the mushroom begins releasing juices. Garnish with extra fresh thyme leaves.