Holiday Cashew Nut Loaf

Elevate your holiday table with this savory and satisfying Holiday Cashew Nut Loaf, a vegetarian centerpiece that's perfect for festive gatherings. Made with rich, buttery cashews, hearty breadcrumbs, and a medley of aromatic vegetables including carrots, celery, and onion, this nut loaf is bursting with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Infused with herbs like thyme and rosemary, and seasoned with soy sauce and a splash of zesty lemon juice, it offers a delightful balance of earthy and tangy notes. The golden-baked loaf comes together beautifully with the addition of eggs for structure, resulting in a sliceable, crowd-pleasing main dish. Ready in just over an hour, this show-stopping dish pairs wonderfully with gravy, cranberry sauce, or a crisp side salad, making it an ideal choice for holiday dinners or plant-based celebrations.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 200 g raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, grated
• 1 large celery stalk, finely diced
• 150 g breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)
• 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a food processor, pulse the cashews until coarsely ground. They should resemble small crumbs, but not turn into cashew butter. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.

Step 4

Add the grated carrots and diced celery to the skillet. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.

Step 5

Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the ground cashews, breadcrumbs, dried thyme, dried rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture into the vegetable-cashew mixture and stir thoroughly to create a cohesive loaf mixture.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan, pressing it down firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon to ensure it holds together.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf feels firm to the touch.

Step 9

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a cutting board. Slice and serve warm as a main course. Pair with gravy, cranberry sauce, or a light salad for a festive touch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	962.6 grams (962.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2262

Total Fat 134.50g	172%
Saturated Fat 25.10g	126%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 372mg	124%
Sodium 4859mg	211%
Total Carbohydrate 217.30g	79%
Dietary Fiber 20.90g	75%
Total Sugars 37.20g
Protein 77.80g	156%

Vitamin D 82IU	410%
Calcium 390mg	30%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 2704mg	58%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.6%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 36.4%