Vegetarian Christmas Not Nut Roast Make Ahead Recipes

BEST-EVER VEGETARIAN NUT ROAST

Steps:

• Grease and line a large loaf tin and set aside. If you're cooking the roast straight away (see step 4), preheat the oven to 180C (fan).
• Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, toast the nuts, seeds and spices, tossing everything to coat well. Be very careful and do not let it burn. Toast for a few minutes, or until the mixture is fragrant and starting to turn golden, then turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.
• Add the cooled nuts and spices to the bowl of a food processor. Add all other ingredients. Blitz until thoroughly combined, or combined to your liking (it can be nice if left a little chunky). You might need to stop and scrape it down a few times. If it's too wet, add more breadcrumbs. If it's too dry, add a little water, reserved tomato juice or even a dash of red wine if you've got some handy!
• Place in the prepared pan and ideally leave for a few hours (or overnight is even better) in the fridge to let the flavours deepen and the loaf firm up. If you're in a hurry you can cook it straight away, but ideally give it at least an hour's resting time.
• Preheat oven to 180C (fan). When ready, cook the roast for 45 minutes to an hour until firm and golden. Allow to cool slightly before carving then serve with all your favourite roast vegetables.

NUT ROAST

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/ fan 160C/ gas 4 and line the base and sides of a 1.5 litre loaf tin with parchment paper.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 15g butter in a large frying pan and cook 1 finely chopped large onion and 2 finely chopped celery sticks for about 5 mins until beginning to soften.
• Stir in 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and 200g finely chopped chestnut mushrooms and cook for a further 10 mins.
• Stir in 1 finely diced red pepper and 1 grated carrot and cook for about 3 mins then add 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp smoked paprika and cook for just a minute.
• Add 100g red lentils and 2 tbsp tomato purée and cook for about 1 min, then add 300ml vegetable stock and simmer over a very gentle heat until all the liquid has been absorbed and the mixture is fairly dry. This should take about 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Finally, stir in 100g fresh breadcrumbs, 150g chopped mixed nuts, 3 lightly beaten large eggs, 100g grated mature cheddar, a handful of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley and a pinch of salt and some ground black pepper.
• Stir to mix well then spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and press down the surface.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins, then remove the foil and bake for a further 20 mins until firm when pressed gently.
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil very gently then add 2 finely sliced garlic cloves and 1 rosemary sprig and heat without colouring.
• Pour in 400ml passata and add a pinch of salt and some ground black pepper. Simmer gently for just 15 mins.
• Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for about 10 mins then turn out onto a serving board or plate. Remove the baking paper and cut into slices and serve with a little of the tomato sauce.
• To make a vegan nut roast, use an extra tbsp of oil in place of butter, no cheese and 3 tbsp egg replacer. Bake your nut roast for 1 hour. The loaf will still be soft in the middle after cooking.
• It can be cooked in advance and then chilled, sliced and reheated to make it easier to serve.

VEGETARIAN CHRISTMAS ROAST

Steps:

• Put the lentils, sliced onion and bayleaf in a pan of water, bring to the boil and continue boiling until they are well softened.
• Remove the bayleaf then drain and mash the onion and lentils.
• Add the nuts to the lentil puree then stir in the herbs, wine and seasoning.
• For the stuffing gently cook the onion in the oil until the onions soften.
• Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the breadcrumbs, seasoning, sage and red wine.
• Take a flat ovenproof dish and spread half the lentil and nut mixture over the base.
• spread the stuffing mixture over it then cover with the remaining lentil mixture.
• Shape the whole to resemble an oblong loaf with the stuffing completely inside.
• Mix together the topping mixture of breadcrumbs, oil and sesame seeds then press the mixture over the roast.
• Bake in pre-heated oven at 400f for about 45 minutes or until the topping mixture is brown and crispy.