lentil pate

Yesterday, Kate over at Purple Pear posted about her challenge to find vegan lunch recipes for her new WWOOFers and it prompted me to post this easy and filling lentil 'pate'. It's not easy feeding vegans because it is a rather restrictive diet (we have tried it) and it's especially hard trying to do it on the cheap.

Lentil and Walnut Pate

1 onion finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

100gm red lentils, rinsed 

1 tspn mixed herbs

Bay leaf

Freshly ground black pepper

Fry the onions and garlic in a bit of oil or margarine until lightly browned, then add lentils, herbs, pepper and enough water to cover. 

Simmer for about 15 minutes, checking to ensure there's still enough water to stop it from sticking to the bottom. 

When the lentils are soft and mushy, remove from heat and add - 

100gm ground walnuts

*Tamari to taste

Stir well and watch the colour change! 

*The walnuts are finely ground if you put them into a food processor for a whirl and you will need quite a bit of Tamari to flavour it well.

As usual, you can experiment with the flavours and use different herbs! 

This 'pate' brings back memories of impromptu picnics when my children were littlies - we used to eat it on corn cakes and I always made a triple batch or more! 

Now, when we have it for lunch, we spread it on hearty German rye bread with some fresh parsley, cucumber or tomato. It's quite filling. 

Kate, I hope this hits the spot!!!