Title: Vegetarian Holiday Roast
Categories: Entree Vegetarian Grain Legume
Yield: 12 Servings

1 1/2	c	Lentils
7/8	c	Millet
1	c	Brown rice
1 1/2	c	Chopped walnuts; -OR-
2	c	-Whole chestnuts
3	sl	Whole wheat toast; crumbled
1/2	c	Almond butter
2	c	Chopped onions
1/4	c	Olive oil
5	lg	Garlic cloves; minced
2	tb	Fresh sage, chopped
1	ts	Dried celery seed
2	tb	Fresh rosemary leaves - chopped
2	ts	Salt
2	c	Chopped seitan (optional)
MUSHROOM GRAVY
20	md	Mushrooms
1/2	c	Chopped onion
1	tb	Olive oil
1/2	ts	Dried oregano; -OR-
2	ts	-Fresh oregano
1/3	c	Butter
1/2	c	Unbleached flour
2	c	-Lentil liquor (from above)
1 1/2	c	Water
1	ts	Salt
1/2	ts	Black pepper

Cook the lentils, millet, and brown rice separately; and reserve two cups of the lentil liquor for making Mushroom Gravy. If you are using whole chestnuts, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse the nuts and cut a cross about 1/2 inch deep in the small, pointed ends. Place the nuts on a cookie sheet and bake about 20 minutes, then cool for about 10 minutes. Remove the shells and cut the nuts in quarters.

Mix the cooked grains and lentils with the nuts, bread crumbs, and almond butter in a large bowl and set aside.

Saute the onions briefly in olive oil, then add the garlic, sage, celery seed, rosemary, salt, and seitan if used. Saute 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring constantly, then add to the other ingredients, mix thoroughly (mooshing with fingers works best), and put into a large oiled baking dish. Lightly coat the top of the roast with olive oil, then bake at 350 degrees F for 1-1/4 hours. Serve with Mushroom Gravy (below) and garnish with parsley.

MUSHROOM GRAVY: Separate the mushroom caps from the stems, then quarter the caps and halve the stems. Saute the onion in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute, then stir in the oregano and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mushrooms have softened and the bottom of the pan is covered with liquid. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the lentil liquor and water, and continue stirring until the mixture thickens and barely begins to boil. Add the mushroom mixture, salt, and pepper, and continue stirring until the gravy begins to boil. Remove from heat and serve.

* Source: Brigitte Mars in The Herb Companion, October/November 1993 * Typos by: Karen Mintzias

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