Description
These hyperbaked earth loaves are my new favorite thing to do with veggie scraps and with veggies that I buy specifically to make this lovable, plant-based meatloaf-style recipe. As a bonus, this recipe can multitask as 100% plant-based burgers, making this one of my go-to main dish recipes.
Hyperbaking basically means taking advantage of all heat in the oven so there’s no excess waste of gas or electricity. That means no oven preheating and then using the residual heat in the oven after you turn it off.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces non-starchy veggies (I like 6 ounces sliced zucchini + 6 ounces sliced baby bellas + 2 ounces fresh baby spinach – or a mixture of leftover scraps!)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 ounces chickpea flour (1/2 cup)
- Optional: Sauce and garnish, as desired (see Notes)
Instructions
- In a food processor on low speed, add the veggies, chia seeds, garlic, salt, and olive oil and blend until combined, but still full of texture. Pulse in the flour until just evenly combined.
- Divide mixture into six cups of a silicone muffin/cupcake pan, about 1/3 rounded cup each.*
- Place in non-preheated oven. Then turn on 450°F oven and bake for 28 minutes. Turn off oven and continue baking in the residual heat until browned and firm, yet moist on the inside, for about 28 minutes. (I call this “hyperbaking.”) No flipping needed.
- Let cool in pan on rack for about 10 minutes. Carefully remove from the silicone pan molds. Ideally serve warm and, if desire, top with sauce and garnish of choice (see Notes).**
Notes
*Alternatively go free-style by making 6 rounded mounds (loaves) – or 3 plant-based burger patties – on a Silpat– or unbleached parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in a non-preheated oven, then turn to 450°F and bake for 25 minutes, and then turn off heat and “hyper-bake” for 20 minutes in the hot “off” oven.
**Sauce + Garnish Ideas:
- Lemony-tahini dressing (recipe HERE) + harissa or hot sauce + mint leaves (my fave pick!)
- Soy-ginger sauce + scallions + toasted sesame seeds
- Cheese-free pesto (recipe HERE) + pan-toasted nuts of choice + basil leaves
- Plant-based sour cream + chopped chives
- Avocado dressing or dip (recipe HERE) + cilantro sprigs
- Crumbed plant-based feta + chopped dill + lemon wedges
- Marinara + plant-based parmesan or crumbed soft cashew cheese + basil leaves
Nutrition info does not include optional sauce or garnish.
- Category: Main dish
- Cuisine: American, International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 loaves
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g includes 0g added sugars
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg