The Best Un-Meatloaf Ever!

There are obvious and delicious benefits for eating a humungus amount of veggies and for many, that includes the main dish or entree. Vegetarian meals are becoming more popular, especially dishes made with soy and soy products.

One such item is called Tempeh and in the store it is available in an 8 ounce sealed package that is seriously hard to imagine in a meal! However, Tempeh, like Tofu, is made from soybeans. One difference is that Tempeh is a whole soybean food and because of the fermentation process it undergoes, it has a very high protein, fiber and vitamin content.

Tempeh is used internationally in vegetarian cooking and is considered an authentic meat substitute. Why? Because it closely resembles certain meats in both texture, flavor and use. My recipe for Un-Meat Loaf is a filling, healthy and delectable entree which promises to satisfy even the most serious meat lovers. Serve this with rice and veggies for a great meal. Enjoy!

 

THE BEST UN-MEATLOAF EVER

One 8 oz. package Tempeh

1 cup vegetable broth

olive oil

Onion- ½ chopped or one medium chopped

Mushrooms – Shitake or Crimini (or even one small can) chopped chunky

Garlic – 6 cloves rough chopped

Celery – 3 stalks, rough chopped

Parsley – ¼ C minced (dry okay)

2 slices bread minced and crumbled

2 eggs

Ketchup – about ¼ cup

Soy Sauce – about 2 TB

Garlic powder

Salt and fresh ground pepper

1. Break Tempeh into 4 or 5 pieces and drop into pot of boiling broth, gently simmer for about five minutes, drain (you can save broth for steaming veggies at another time) and cool. Set aside in large mixing bowl.
2. Chop onion, mushrooms, garlic, celery, and parsley.
3. Heat medium skillet with olive oil and sautee onion until soft, then add all other veggies and sautee for about 10 minutes until all is tender. Set in a bowl and put into freezer to cool down for about 5 minutes. **Be sure to set a timer on this so you do not forget it!
4. Crumble Tempeh in the bowl, then add the cooled veggies and add eggs, bread crumbs, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mush together with your hands in the bowl.
5. Oil a loaf pan and put mixture into pan then flatten and even out with your hands.
6. Bake for about 30 minutes until firm. (check after 20 minutes)
7. Let set for 5 minutes, slice and serve.