The larger loin fruit is very partial to pesto. And so it was reasonable to assume that a bean loaf flavoured predominantly with said pesto would be a hit. With SheWhoMustBeFed and the VegHead – a big hit. With the larger loin fruit – not so much. NB: this wasn’t even a starter with the smaller loin fruit – fussy bugger.
Anyway – the two most important people in the house liked this so we’re keeping the recipe for posterity:
For the putting in:
- One (450g) tin of mixed beans (aka “Four Bean Mix”)
- Half a packet of firm tofu (about 175g)
- 1 cup of oats – not quick cook (see note below regarding making this gluten free)
- 1/3 cup of pesto
- 1/2 cup of pine nuts
- Teaspoon of cumin powder
- Teaspoon of ground pepper
- Splash of tamari
- 3 medium size mushrooms
- 1 medium courgette
- Olive oil
For the making:
Mash the tofu in a large mixing bowl until well smushed.
Process the oats in a bamix dry food processor attachment thingy (or food processor) until they have reduced to a fine flour.
Combine tofu, oats, beans, spices, pesto, pine nuts, tamari and mix thoroughly. Use your hands or a spoon rather than a masher so that you keep some lumpy consistency.
Slice the mushrooms. Slice the courgette in coin shapes.
Using a medium size, lidded baking dish of your choice: add half of the tofu/bean mix. Cover this with the mushroom slices, artfully arranged. Drizzle the mushroom slices with olive oil. Add the remaining tofu/bean mix. Cover the top with the sliced courgette, again making sure you arrange the slices in a manner most pleasing to the eye. Drizzle this layer with olive oil.
Bake in a preheated medium-high oven with the lid on for about half an hour, then remove the lid and bake for another ten minutes until the courgettes brown.
Adapting to gluten free:
Replace the oats with lightly toasted cashews, same weight and same processing
Add a binding agent. Recommended method is: two teaspoons of linseeds ground in the way as the cashews, then soaked in 2 tablespoons of water until gooey. Add this mix to bowl when combining everything.