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Vegan Lentil Wreath Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 85 reviews

This Vegan Lentil Wreath is a hearty, festive plant-based main dish perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners. Packed with nutritious lentils, mushrooms, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, it combines a savory lentil mixture with the delightful sweetness of dried fruits and cherries. Baked to crispy perfection in a wreath shape and garnished with tangy jam and vegetable crisps, this recipe is both satisfying and visually stunning.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

  • 150 g mixed dried fruit (such as cranberries, currants, sultanas and apricots)
  • 3–4 maraschino cherries (chopped)
  • 80 g cranberry or lingonberry jam

Seeds and Oats

  • 3 tbsp ground flax or chia seeds
  • 110 g rolled oats or quick oats

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 large brown onion (chopped)
  • 2 large carrots (diced)
  • 400–500 g mushrooms (chopped)
  • 1 red pepper (capsicum, diced)
  • 4 garlic cloves (finely chopped or to taste)
  • 5 sage leaves (finely chopped)
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary (finely chopped)
  • 2 tsp dried thyme or Italian herb mix

Other Ingredients

  • 2 x 420 g tins of brown lentils (drained or about 3½ cups cooked lentils)
  • 200 g cooked chestnuts
  • 60 g tomato purée (paste)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Olive oil (as needed)
  • Store-bought or homemade vegetable crisps (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried fruit: Place the dried fruit in a heatproof bowl and cover it with boiling water. Let it soak until the fruit is plump and softened.
  2. Prepare the cake pan: Line the base of a large ring cake pan with baking paper and brush the sides with olive oil. If unavailable, use a 25cm (10 inch) cake pan with a small round ramekin placed in the center to form the wreath shape.
  3. Make the flaxseed binder: Combine the ground flax or chia seeds with 120 g (½ cup) of water in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken and form a gel-like consistency.
  4. Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft. Add diced carrots and cook for 5 more minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add chopped mushrooms, red pepper, garlic, and all fresh and dried herbs. Cook until vegetables are softened, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  5. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 180°C (356°F) or Gas Mark 4.
  6. Process the oats: If using rolled oats, pulse them briefly in a food processor until they resemble quick oats in texture.
  7. Combine the lentil mixture: In the food processor, add the thickened flax mixture, cooled cooked vegetables, drained lentils, processed oats, chestnuts, and tomato purée. Pulse for 30 to 60 seconds until the mixture sticks together but still has some texture. Season with salt, pepper, and extra herbs to taste.
  8. Assemble the wreath: Drain the soaked dried fruit and mix with chopped cherries. Spread this fruit mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Spoon the lentil mixture on top and press down firmly to compact it well into a wreath shape.
  9. Bake the wreath: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is crispy and the wreath is slightly firm to the touch. If browning too fast, loosely cover with aluminum foil or a light baking tray.
  10. Cool and unmold: Allow the wreath to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Run a spatula around the edges to release it. Place a serving plate on top of the pan and invert to remove the wreath carefully.
  11. Garnish and serve: Optionally brush the surface with cranberry or lingonberry jam and top with vegetable crisps and fried sage leaves for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Using ground flax or chia seeds helps bind the mixture and adds omega-3 fats.
  • If you do not have a ring cake pan, a regular cake pan with a ramekin in the center works well to form the wreath shape.
  • Soaking the dried fruit plumps it and enhances its sweetness.
  • Adjust the seasoning and herbs according to your taste preferences for a more aromatic dish.
  • Allow the wreath to cool before removing it from the pan to prevent crumbling.
  • Vegetable crisps and fried sage leaves add an appealing crunch and herbal aroma as garnish.

Keywords: Vegan Lentil Wreath, Lentil loaf, Holiday vegan main dish, Festive vegan recipe, Lentil bake, Plant-based main course, Herbal lentil bake

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/vegan-lentil-wreath-recipe/