Unmeatloaf and Raw Mashed Cauliflower

This might be the craziest thing I’ve made to date.

It was definitely one I tried while Andrew was far away on the other side of the continent. No, that’s a lie. He was on his way home, but wouldn’t be in until midnight. He was spared.

I was craving roasted cauliflower, and frankly I still am. I let myself be intrigued by the raw mashed cauliflower. I went that way instead. I didn’t like it in the slightest. The texture was great, but the taste just wasn’t what I was looking for. I’d never look for that taste. I don’t know if it’s the pronounced nutritional yeast flavor or the fact that I STILL don’t have miso in the house, but it was just kinda ick. I ate one serving, and the rest sat in the fridge until garbage day. That never happens in our house. Well, we usually don’t even have leftovers to begin with, but that’s beside the point.

The other dish is supposed to be a meatleass meatloaf, but I find it more fun to call it the unmeatloaf. Now this is something I liked. A lot. It reminded me a lot of a savory granola bar. It was dense and chewy, and had a nice kick since I blended in a chipotle. Next time I’d use barbecue sauce. I loved that it came together really quick [not that meatloaf takes a long time anyway], and it cooks quicker than its meat cousin. Is it an acceptable substitute? No. I don’t try to play that game with myself. I wouldn’t subject myself to this when I’m craving meat, but if I’m in the mood for a nutty, oaty, loaf? This is perfect.

Inspiration: Peas and Thank You and Choosing Raw

Ingredients

Unmeatloaf

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup of oats
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup onion
• 2 cloves of garlic [unless you have fat cloves like me, than use one]
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce [low sodium!]
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 chipotle in adobo [optional]
• salt and pepper to taste

Raw Mashed Cauliflower

• 1 cup of cashews
• 1 lb of cauliflower
• salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon miso [optional]
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil [optional, but helpful for texture]

Preparation

Unmeatloaf

1. Preheat oven to 375º.
2. Grease a small loaf pan.
3. In the bowl of a food processor, chop the onions, chipotle,  and garlic.
4. Add oats and cashews. Process.
5. Add beans. Process until still chunky.
6. Add rest of the ingredients. Pulse until moist and combined.
7. Pour into prepared pan and mold into shape.
8. Bake 20 minutes.
9. Cover with sauce of choice.
10. Slice and serve.

Raw Mashed Cauliflower

1. In the bowl of a food processor, process the cashews, salt, and pepper into powder.
2. Add remaining ingredients [sans olive oil] and process to desired consistency.
3. Scraping the bowl will happen. A lot.
4. Add oil at the end, if desired.