Easy Vegetarian Protein Loaf With Red Lentils, Quinoa u0026amp; Spinach
APPROXIMATE MACROS per slice (7)u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003ecalories:u003c/strongu003e ~265u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eprotein:u003c/strongu003e ~15gu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003efat:u003c/strongu003e ~10gu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003ecarbs:u003c/strongu003e ~29.1g
Course Snacks
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 50 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour10 minutesminutes
Servings 6servings
Calories 265kcal
Ingredients
1 cup dry red lentils 3/4 cup dry quinoa water for soaking 4 large eggs 1/2 cup crumbled feta 2 packed cups chopped spinach (fresh or frozen and squeezed dry) 1 small onion, roughly chopped 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/4 cup ground flaxseed 1/4 cup oat flour (or almond flour) 1/2 tbsp italian seasoning 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil optional: 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar optional topping: shredded cheese
Instructions
soak lentils and quinoa place the red lentils and quinoa in a bowl, cover with water, and soak for 4–6 hours (red lentils soften quicker than green or brown). drain and rinse very well.
preheat the oven to 375ºf. line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
blend the base in a high-speed blender or food processor, add the soaked/drained lentils and quinoa, eggs, onion, garlic, olive oil, flaxseed, oat flour, herbs, salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice. blend until thick and mostly smooth with just a little texture left — kind of like more watery hummus.
fold in the spinach and feta pour the batter into a mixing bowl and stir in the chopped spinach and crumbled feta.
fill the pan u0026 bake spread the mixture into the prepared bread loaf pan and press it in firmly. bake for 50-52 minutes, or until golden on top and firm in the center. a toothpick should come out mostly clean. you can bake with shredded cheese for a couple of minutes at the end if wanted.
cool completely before slicing let cool in the pan for at least 15–20 minutes, then remove and let cool fully on a rack before slicing. it holds together best when fully cooled.