Holiday Nut Roast

Ingredients:


2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 ½ cup leeks, finely chopped
1 ½ cups mushrooms, finely chopped
4 large plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded & chopped
1 large green apple, peeled, cored & diced
1 cup each of ground almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts
1 ½ cups fine breadcrumbs
3 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. dried basil (or 1 Tbs. chopped fresh)
1 tsp. dried thyme (or 1 Tbs. chopped fresh)
½ tsp. dried (or 1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh) sage
¼ tsp. paprika
1 Tbs. Ener-G Egg Replacer or cornstarch
3 Tbs. warm water
3 Tbs. soy sauce


Directions:


Heat 1 Tbs. oil in small skillet and saute leeks until tender, but not brown; set aside.


To peel tomatoes, cut an “X” into the bottom of each one and bring a small pot of water to a boil; add tomatoes, and remove them when you see the skins splitting (usually less than a minute); remove and set aside until they’re cool enough to chop.


Combine leeks, mushrooms, tomatoes, nuts, apple, breadcrumbs and herbs in a large bowl; mix Ener-G Egg Replacer or cornstarch with warm water, and add to the bowl along with the remaining Tbs. of olive oil and soy sauce; mix until thoroughly combined and all ingredients are moistened.


Press mixture into an oiled 9 x 5 loaf pan, or a small-to-medium casserole pan.


Bake the pan in a water bath: once you have it ready to go, grab a larger baking pan to set your loaf or casserole pan in; put the whole thing in the oven, and then pour water about halfway up the sides of your loaf or casserole pan.*


Bake for an hour at 400 degrees, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 1 1/2 hours; the top will be very brown, but shouldn’t be black. You can serve the loaf in the pan, or let it rest for about 5 minutes and turn it out onto a platter.


Notes: Baking time may vary; check it every 20 mins & adjust the temperature or cooking time accordingly.


* Watch the water bath level! Keep it at least halfway up the sides of your pan at all times, so add water as needed. (CAUTION: If using a glass pan, use warm water so it doesn't crack due to change in temperature!)