Yummy Lentil Loaf

That's all that was left after the three of us ate this lentil loaf. It looks a lot like meat loaf, doesn't it? But it doesn't taste like meat loaf; however, it does taste good! 

To cook the lentils, this time I used my new Instant Pot, but I had previously made this loaf by cooking the lentils in a pot of water on the stove. 

To use the Instant Pot to cook the lentils I used this recipe by Platings and Pairings. I cooked them just as the recipes says, except that I needed to cook it a little longer, as my lentils were a little old. (I had to let the pot cool down a little bit before I could put the lid back on.)

Previously, to cook the lentils on the stove, first I rinsed them in a fine colander and picked through for any stones (this is the same with either method). Then I brought 2 cups of water to a boil, and cooked 1 cup of lentils, without added salt, until tender but not mushy. 

In both cases, while the lentils cooked, I sautéed 1 small, diced onion (or ½ medium to large onion), in a bit of cooking oil on the stove. 

Whichever way I cooked the lentils, I then put the cooked lentils in a bowl, added the following, and stirred it all together:

1 cup quick cooking oats
¾ cup grated cheese
1 egg, beaten with a fork
the diced onion which was sautéed and set aside
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
1-1½ teaspoons salt 
¼ teaspoon pepper

I prepared a loaf pan with non-stick spray (or you could use a bit of  vegetable oil).

I put the mixture in the loaf pan, smoothed the top, and spread 4 ounces of tomato sauce on top. 

I baked it at 350° F. for 40-45 minutes. It's best to let it cool for a few minutes before cutting. 

Note: When I cooked the lentils on the stove, I used 1 cup lentils, but when I cooked it in the Instant Pot, I used the 1½ cups lentils that the Instant Pot recipe I shared, above, called for. It didn't seem to make much difference in the final result. 

For your reference, and to give credit where credit is due, I adapted the lentil loaf recipe from a recipe called Really Good Vegetarian Meatloaf. I did make a few changes; for example, I have always liked my tomato sauce on top of a loaf, rather than mixed in, which is just my own personal preference. I think it gives it a nice finished look.