Ingredients
- 9 slices commercial whole wheat bread (about 8 ounces)
- 2 cups walnuts (about 8 ounces)
- 3 large eggs
- 3 medium onions, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small celery rib, minced
- 1 small bunch parsley, stems discarded and leaves chopped
- 2/3 cup canned crushed tomatoes or 1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained very well
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Generous seasoning freshly ground black pepper
- Mushroom Gravy, recipe follows
Directions
Toast the bread slices either in the toaster or on a baking sheet placed under the broiler. Let cool.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Generously butter a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, then line the bottom with waxed paper and butter the paper.
Tear up the toasted bread slices and make crumbs out of them in a food processor. Place in a large bowl.
Process the walnuts until finely ground and mix into the bread crumbs. Combine the eggs and onions in the processor and process until fine but not liquefied. Stir into the bread crumbs. Place the green pepper, celery, parsley, tomatoes, and oil in the processor and grind until fine but still with some texture. Stir into the loaf mixture along with the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix this all very well until evenly moistened. (The mixture may be prepared to this point and refrigerated up to 8 hours in advance.) Scrape it into the prepared loaf pan and smooth over the top. Cover the loaf with foil.
Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out dry. Let sit 5 minutes, then run a knife all along the sides of the loaf to help loosen it. Unmold the loaf onto a platter and remove the waxed paper. Let the loaf cool 20 minutes or so before slicing it. It's best to serve the loaf warm and the gravy hot.
Mushroom Gravy:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms (8 ounces)
- 1/4 cup unbleached flour
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock, store-bought or homemade
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper
Melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the flour; it will become very pasty. Cook this roux for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. It will stick to the bottom of the pan a little bit; that's okay.
Stir in the stock, wine, soy sauce, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cook the sauce at a lively simmer for 5 minutes, stirring almost constantly and scraping any crusty bits that adhere to the bottom of the pan. Serve in a sauceboat.
















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By chope
Suffolk, VA
on July 22, 2010
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The first time I tried this recipe I was surprised by how tasty and moist it was! I have served it on many occasions since then and it's a winner each time.
By dyeforu_12283368
Yucca Valley, 43
on March 29, 2010
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I have been a vegetarian for about 3 yrs now and have tried other walnut or 'meat' loaf recipes, and all failed miserably, but no this one. I did chop everything roughly to keep texture and I also added chopped baby bella mushrooms and about 2 tablespoons chili powder. It turned out awesome, set and sliced well. and the best part is my husband said it was excellent and had no idea it was veg (and he's always honest, haha.
By kristinsullivan...
New York, 72
on February 17, 2010
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This is a great main dish on a winter night! It was incredibly flavorful and satisfying for any type of eater, vegetarian or not. I am in Italy so of course I had to put a healthy drizzling of extra Virgin Olive Oil over the top and then took the foil off for the last 10 minutes to get a nice crispy top. Perfetto!!
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