VeganMoFo: Home-style Vegan Meatloaf
Comments(13) 
With cooler weather settling in, it’s time to bring on the comfort food. Inspired by the Chickpea Cutlets recipe in Veganomicon, I made “meatloaf.”
When I first mixed up a batch of the Chickpea Cutlets, it reminded me of when I had to help my mom make dinner as a youngster. One of my jobs back then was to mix together the ingredients for meatloaf. It looks surprisingly similar.
For this meatloaf version, I changed up some of the spices and added onion, celery, and carrots. I also shaped them into mini loaves. Mini food just looks so cute. But really, it was to make sure that the center firmed up and doesn’t come out too mushy.
Home-style Vegan Meatloaf
Makes 4 mini loaves
Adapted from the Chickpea Cutlets recipe in Veganomicon
1/2 small white onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
2 small carrots, finely chopped
1 15-ounce can chickpeas
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup water
Ketchup for glaze
Heat sauté pan to hot, add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Sauté onion until translucent, then add the carrots and celery. Cook for about 2 minutes; set aside and let cool.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Place in a large bowl, and smash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients including the cooked vegetables. Mix together and knead for a few minutes until strings of gluten have formed and everything sticks together in a big ball.
Divide the ball into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small loaf. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and lightly oil. Place the loaves on the tin foil and brush both sides with oil. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn over and glaze the top with ketchup. Bake another 10 minutes until firm. Cut into slices and serve with wasabi mashed potatoes or your favorite sides.
You’re right, mini foods are always so adorable. :P I’m for SURE going to try these! I have yet to find a vegan “meat”loaf recipe that really wowed me.
Mmmm yummy, what an awesome combo. Mini foods get me every time. They always make me feel like a giant.
If you are unable to tolerate the gluten, do you think that this will work the same? If not, what else could I use? Thanks.
what a cozy meal!
Now that I am a vegetarian, one of the few food that I miss is meatloaf. It was such comfort food when I was a kid. Looks great!
That looks great!
What a great idea for a loaf!
So weird, I was talking about making vegan meatloaf today. I like the chickpeas in this one, it might be the first one I try!
Thanks everyone for your comments. :-)
IR – I just starting working with vital wheat gluten myself. I don’t think there is a substitute for it. I believe it’s what holds the loaf together and gives it that texture. I don’t know what else you could use instead. Sorry. :-(
The meatloaf looks good but it’s the wasabi mashed potatoes I find myself staring at longingly.
That looks phenomenal!
I have totally been craving meat loaf! Thank you!
oh, gotta try!
Thanx for sharing!!!