Middle Eastern Veggie Loaf

If you are looking for a hearty and delicious vegetarian dish, you might want to try this Middle Eastern veggie loaf. It is made with bulgur, lentils, carrots, onions, herbs and spices, and topped with a tangy tahini sauce. This loaf is easy to make and can be served hot or cold, with a salad or some pita bread.

To make the veggie loaf, you will need:

  • 1/2 cup of bulgur
  • 1 cup of boiling water
  • 1 1/4 cups of cooked lentils
  • 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds
  • 1/3 cup of cold water
  • 2 teaspoons of olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, grated
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 slices of whole-wheat bread, torn into pieces
  • 6 ounces of silken tofu
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice

To make the tahini sauce, you will need:

  • 1/4 cup of tahini
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste

To prepare the veggie loaf, follow these steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and spray it lightly.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the bulgur and boiling water and let it stand for about 25 minutes, or until the bulgur is tender and most of the water is absorbed. Drain any excess water.
  3. In a small bowl, grind the flaxseeds into a coarse powder using a blender or a food processor. Add the cold water and blend until well combined. Refrigerate until needed.
  4. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onions for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add the carrots, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  5. In a food processor, pulse the parsley until finely chopped. Add the bread and process until coarse crumbs form. Transfer to a large bowl and add the onion mixture.
  6. In the same food processor, blend the tofu until smooth. Add the flaxseed mixture, lentils, lemon juice, salt and pepper and process until well combined.
  7. Add the tofu mixture to the bread mixture and mix well with a spatula or your hands. Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press it firmly and evenly.
  8. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden and firm.
  9. To make the tahini sauce, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
  10. Let the veggie loaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the tahini sauce.

Enjoy your Middle Eastern veggie loaf!