Hearty Vegan Festivus Loaf
Tired of the usual holiday fanfare? It’s time for a Festivus for the rest of us! This Festivus Loaf is a hearty, plant-based masterpiece that’s perfect for a holiday feast. It’s so rich and satisfying, you won’t even miss the meat. It’s the kind of main dish that will please a crowd and distract everyone from their “Airing of Grievances.” So, gather ’round the dinner table and celebrate with this festive classic!
Equipment
- Baking dish (9 × 13-inch / 23 × 33 cm)
- Large-size mixing bowl,
- Measuring cups
- Knife
- Pastry brush (for basting)
- Plastic wrap or cloth for covering dough
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
For the loaf:
- 240 g chickpea flour
- 288 g vital wheat gluten flour
- 1175 ml vegetable broth divided
- 240 g whole wheat pastry flour
For the filling:
- 2 recipes Traditional Bread Dressing
- 1 recipe Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a large bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten flour and the two types of flour.
- Slowly add 2 cups (470 ml) of vegetable broth, and mix.
- Gradually add more broth (up to 1 more cup), as needed, to form a smooth dough ball.
- Knead for 5 minutes, cover, and let rest for 20 minutes.
- On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough to a rectangular shape, about 12 × 18 inches (30.
- 5 × 46 cm).
- Spread the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto evenly over the dough, then sprinkle half of the Traditional Bread Dressing.
- Starting from the short end, roll the dough into a loaf.
- Pour the remaining 2 cups (470 ml) vegetable broth into a 9 × 13-inch baking dish, and place the loaf in the center.
- Top with the remaining half of the dressing, and place the dish in the oven.
- Bake for 90 minutes, basting with the broth every 15 minutes.
- After baking, remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Tip:
This Festivus Loaf is a perfect centerpiece for your holiday meal. Serve it alongside Green Bean Almondine and Whiskey Sweet Potato Mash for a complete and festive spread. Don’t forget a savory vegan gravy to tie all the flavors together! ÂWine Advice:
Pairing a wine with this hearty, savory loaf is a serious business. You need a bottle that can stand up to all that rich, meaty goodness. A full-bodied red like a Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect match. Its bold flavors of black cherry and plum will beautifully complement the savory herbs and spices in the loaf, creating a pairing so perfect it might just make you forget to complain about the holiday season!Nutrition values
Calories: 220 kcal | Carbohydrates: 38 g | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 6 g | Sugar: 2 g