You're Eating Meatloaf on Your Lenten Fast?

 


Yes you can.  All you need is the mashed potatoes.   Except ours is a vegetable meat loaf ... no meat found here.(myrecipes.com)  And instead of a side of mashed potatoes, we're adding a side of mashed cauliflower.  These would make great dishes for your Lenten fast.  

Lenten Fast is #5 on our Spring To-Do-List.

Kiki here, miracles and blessings ... today's text-webisode is a tasty one.  With so many of our regulars partaking in the Lenten Fast, we decided to share a few tasty dishes that'll make you forget about the meat loaf and ribs you're passing up.




Vegetable Meat Loaf

• Meat loaf:$
• 1 large red bell pepper $
• 1 large green bell pepper $
• 2 pounds cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped $
• 1 tablespoon olive oil $
• 1 cup 1/2-inch asparagus pieces $
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion $
• 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon ketchup $
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten $
• Cooking spray $
• Topping:
• 2 tablespoons ketchup $
• 1 tablespoon vodka or vegetable broth
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Preparation

1.  Preheat broiler to high.
2. To prepare meat loaf, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 12 minutes or until blackened. Place in a paper bag; fold to close tightly. Let stand for 10 minutes. Peel and finely chop. Place bell peppers in a large bowl.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 350°.
4. Place about one-fourth of mushrooms in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until finely chopped. Transfer chopped mushrooms to a bowl. Repeat procedure 3 times with remaining mushrooms.
5. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms to pan; sauté 15 minutes or until liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms to bell peppers. Wipe pan with paper towels. Add asparagus and onion to pan; sauté 6 minutes or until just tender, stirring occasionally. Add onion mixture to mushroom mixture.
6. Arrange breadcrumbs in an even layer on a baking sheet; bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until golden. Add breadcrumbs and the next 8 ingredients (through eggs) to mushroom mixture, stirring well. Spoon mixture into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray; press gently to pack. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155°.
7. To prepare topping, combine 2 tablespoons ketchup and remaining ingredients in a small bowl; brush ketchup mixture over meat loaf. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into 6 slices.

Brown Butter Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

• 1 head medium cauliflower (about 2 lb.), chopped* $
• 1/2 cup sour cream $
• 3/4 teaspoon salt $
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese $
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons butter $
• Garnish: fresh chives

Preparation

1. Fill a large Dutch oven with water to depth of 1/4 inch. Arrange cauliflower in Dutch oven. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat 7 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. 
2. Process cauliflower, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a food processor 30 seconds to 1 minute or until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Stir in Parmesan cheese and chives. Place in a bowl. 
3. If desired, microwave mixture at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring at 1-minute intervals.
4. Cook butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 4 to 5 minutes or until butter begins to turn golden brown. Remove from heat, and immediately drizzle butter over cauliflower mixture. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.
 

Jennifer Pinna, Raleigh, North Carolina, Southern Living
OCTOBER 2008

What delicious recipes are you using for your Lenten Fast?  Hungry minds want to know.