Nut roasts are made up of four basic components and each component can be adjusted to what you like. The most obvious ingredient is a variety of nuts. This is combined with a selection of grains, flavorings, and binding agents.
Nuts
Cashew nuts
Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts, and almonds are the most common combination, but any nut will do. Simply roast them first, and then crush them. It’s alright if they aren’t perfectly crushed. A few larger pieces help to create a nice texture. It’s important to not overload your nut roast with nuts, though. Too many can make for a dense, heavy loaf.
Grains
Breadcrumbs make the nut roast hearty and cooked rice can make it lighter. Oats and barley are also great additions for texture and while not a grain, lentils can serve the same purpose. These components add body to the nut roast.
Eggs
Binding
Eggs are the most common binding agent, but these can easily be substituted to make a vegan nut roast. The same can be said of cottage cheese. Other options are tahini and tofu.
Flavorings
The heart of the nut roast is the extras that you add to it. Extra vegetables, like carrots, spinach, potatoes, peas, and onions add another dimension of flavor. They also lighten the nut roast. Herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are classics in holiday cooking. Vegetable stock, soy sauce, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce also add depth of flavor and make the nut roast moist.
To cook your nut roast you can simply shape it into a loaf or use a loaf pan. Then add some breadcrumbs and a few spots of butter to the top and leave it for about 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees. The time depends on the size of the nut roast. You can baste your nut roast with stock or a mixture of your choosing to keep it moist, but it’s not always necessary.
This list of basics can be added to and adapted to make the perfect nut roast for a holiday dinner and with so many variations, you’ll never get bored. A nut roast is hearty enough to replace the meat component of any holiday meal and perfectly complements the traditional side dishes found on every table.