Lentil Loaf as served at Sweet Melissa Cafe in Laramie, WY, as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, season 35.
Recipe courtesy of Sweet Melissa Cafe

Lentil Loaf

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 3 hr 40 min (includes resting time)
  • Active: 50 min
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Tangy Tomato Sauce:

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a large loaf pan and line with parchment paper, then set aside.
  2. Soak the lentils in hot water while you prep the vegetables. Pour the vegetable oil into a large saucepot on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and potatoes. Add the granulated garlic, salt, pepper and chile flakes. Saute until the vegetables begin to soften, stirring frequently. Drain the lentils, and add to the pot along with the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are very soft and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 30 minutes.
  3. Add the tamari, poultry seasoning, hot sauce and crackers to the lentil mix. Combine with the eggs and Cheddar. Spoon into the prepared loaf pan. Bake until the top begins to crack and the loaf is firm to the touch, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Add the Tangy Tomato Sauce to the top in the last 15 minutes.

Tangy Tomato Sauce:

Yield: 1 1/4 cups
  1. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and hot sauce in a small saucepot. Heat on medium heat until hot and bubbly.

Cook’s Note

You can prepare the loaf without the eggs and cheese ahead of time. It freezes well. Thaw, then fold in eggs and cheese and bake as directed. Do not freeze the loaf once baked.