Christmas Nut Loaf

== Description ==
This nut loaf can be served hot or cold with a Spicy Cranberry Sauce for a vegetarian Christmas.
== Ingredients ==
* 2 cups of nuts - any variety - try a mixture of walnuts, macadamias, and cashews
* 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
* 3 cups of fresh breadcrumbs (see instructions below)
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 5 eggs
* Vegetables
** 5 carrots (or 3 cups when chopped)
** 2 onions
** 2 cups of mushrooms - any variety - try a mixture of different types such as portobello and shitake
** 1/2 capsicum (green pepper)
** one bunch of celery (or 1 1/2 cups when chopped)
* Herbs and seasoning
** 1/2 teaspoon salt
** 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
** 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
** 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
** 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
** 1/2 teaspoon pepper
** 1 teaspoon nutmeg
==Preparation==
A food processor is strongly recommended as a lot of chopping is involved!
* Chop the mushrooms and celery. 
* Finely chop the onion and green pepper.
* Chop most of the nuts finely, but leave 1/4 roughly chopped for texture.
* Peel and grate the carrots. 
* Beat the eggs.
You can create the breadcrumbs by adding torn up slices of wholemeal bread to the food processor. Either use slightly stale bread or dry the bread out a little in a low temperature oven.
Grease 2 loaf tins and line them with baking paper.
== Cooking directions ==
# Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
# Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes. Season with basil, oregano, salt & pepper.
# In a very large bowl, add the mushroom mixture to the nuts and vegetables (green pepper, nuts, seeds, carrots, celery).
# Stir to cool it down, and then add the beaten eggs.
# Stir in 3 cups of bread crumbs.
# Fill the prepared loaf tins with the mixture.
# Bake at 180°C (350°F) for at least 50 minutes. Check the bottom of the loaf. If it is still liquidy, return to the oven. It may take 90 minutes to complete cooking.
== Freezing ==
Can be prepared in advance and frozen. Defrost for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Reheat or eat cold.
Category:Christmas Main Dishes
Category:Nut Recipes
Category:Walnut Recipes
Category:Macadamia nut Recipes
Category:Vegetarian Recipes