LENTIL LOAF AND POTATO CUPCAKES

​This is such a fun recipe!  I hope you enjoy it. 

Dry Ingredients: Mix well and set aside.
1 cup quick oats uncooked
1 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian flavor)
2 T Ground Flax Seed
2 T Vital Wheat Gluten
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1 t garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 t all purpose seasoning

Wet Ingredients:  In saucepan with just enough water to cover the top, combine the following and cook until tender, add more water as needed.  (about 20 min)
1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 white onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
5-6 sm white mushrooms diced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/3 large red pepper diced small
1 cup fresh baby spinach chopped
1/4 cup chopped finely zucchini (no peel)

Combine Wet Ingredients (after cooked) with dry ingredients and combine well, then add:
1 T Ketchup
1 T yellow Mustard
1 T BBQ Sauce
1 T Soy Sauce
1 T Sweet Pickle Relish

3 cups prepared mashed potatoes, extra creamy, and 1 tsp of chives for garnish  ( added a tsp of salt, pepper, and garlic to mine.) 

Make your potatoes anyway you like them, you can even use instant if you like, just make sure you make it real light and fluffy as you will be putting it back in the oven.

Once your lentil loaf mix and your mashed potatoes are complete fill muffin cups to the top with the lentil loaf mixture. You can either lightly oil spray or use muffin papers. Spread small amount of ketchup on top of each.    Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min, then check every 5 min as oven temps and times will vary. When they are firming up and starting to brown around the edges, remove from oven.  Put your mashed potatoes in a plastic bag, cut small hole in end and squeeze out, decorating your lentil cupcakes from outside rim to center in a spiral fashion forming a peak at the center top.  Return to oven for 10-15 min at 375, if the potatoes are not brown enough, put on broil for just a couple minutes to lightly brown the potatoes.  Sprinkle with chives or other garnish just before serving.  These little babies were so good. **If you don't want to hassle making them into cupcakes, simply make it in a loaf pan, and top with potatoes, Easy!
Try adding your favorite veggies to the lentil loaf, there are many options.  Get inventive in the kitchen, it's fun.

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