Veronica's Veggie Meatloaf with Checca Sauce

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This is WONDERFUL! Just delicious. I ccoked it for about 20 minutes on 350 and then I upped it to about 400 F for about another 20. Really browned the top and set it up well. Then I let it cool for about another 10 minutes until it set up. Just delicious. I'm going to cook this over and over.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I have to say this was a long prep for this dish. Throughout the cooking process the ingredients smelled delicious. My loaf did not hold its shape, even though I did everything exactly the same. The Checca sauce was very good but the loaf wasn't good to me.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I really liked this recipe, however, I think the name is missleading. It makes no sense. Let's call it a Veggie Loaf, Lentil/Rice Loaf or Veggie Extravaganza! I worked really hard at getting the water out of the spinach, as previously suggested, but didn't think to drain the Checca Sauce. It came out a bit crumbly, so next time, I'll work even harder at getting the liquid out. Overall, I loved the recipe. Giada never lets me down.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

While this was a fairly time consuming recipe, it was worth the effort. I made this recipe when I was looking for foods to enjoy while on an herbal cleanse. Because the cleanse does not allow dairy, I made the recipe without the cheese and it was still great. I used chicken stock for extra flavor since I wasn't aiming for a vegetarian meal, and also used some oatmeal (great alternative to bread crumbs and an extra egg to help everything hold together. I agree with the reviewer who called to double the checa sauce to serve on the side, not because the dish needs the extra, but because the sauce is so yummy!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I made this for my vegiaterian friends. Now all my friends love this. i make it at least twice a month. I love it.Good way to get healthy food in my young grand children Keep up the good work.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This is very good but a little bland. The second time I made it, I cooked the lentils, rice, & vegetables with a little thyme and a bay leaf. Much more flavorful. I also added a bit of bread crumbs to the mixture so the loaf wouldn't be quite so wet and so, hold it's shape better. Frozen spinach is much easier. Eggplant works well too...as would any combination of vegetables that you like. Just don't forget some bread crumbs!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I've served this recipe twice now, and both groups of non-vegetarians loved it! It does take a little time, but if you read through the instructions first you can do more concurrently. Three tips:

1 This is not supposed to taste like meatloaf, in the same way that most veggie burgers are not supposed to taste like hamburgers. Let the loaf have its own taste. That said, there is a secret ingredient that will make the dish taste "meatier" and will earn you more acceptance from non-vegetarians: smoke. If you can find it, use smoked mozzarella instead of plain, and it will make a huge difference. If you can't find it, add 2-3 teaspoons of liquid smoke.

2 As many reviewers have noted, the "loaf" will come out very moist and loose unless you pay attention to the water content as you go. Reduce the broth a little, squeeze all the water out of the spinach, drain the checca sauce, etc.

3 I used the multi-color cherry tomato packs that are popular now in supermarkets. The reds, yellows, and greens make the checca sauce look much more colorful and less like salsa. If you follow the recipe, you'll have enough sauce for each person to put one spoonful on top of their slice. I would double the sauce recipe, but be sure to put the original amount inside the loaf. In other words, put half of the original quantity inside, but put a quarter of the doubled quantity.

4 Your casserole dish or loaf pan will be very full. Put a cookie sheet with edges underneath it, to catch any drips.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I did have trouble making the veggies stay in a loaf shape so, mine came out like a fancy veggie casserole. Also, a bit too much garlic but otherwise this recipe was just ok. My vegetarian friend thought it was good and took home the leftovers - thank goodness cuz it would have taken me the rest of the year to eat it. Also, this recipe makes quite a lot of food.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

Wow!! This is a simple recipe that tastes amazing. The first time I made it, all I had was long grain brown rice....I have since purchased the SHORT grain brown rice and it really makes a difference. The short grain will stick together better than the long grain, so it stays in slice form. My boyfriend has a problem with the name though, but I am going to make it for him tonight and tell him its meatloaf....he is going to love it as much as me!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I've been trying to cook for over a year now, and this is by far the most delicious recipe I've ever made. I highly recommend it!