First of all, this picture doesn't do the food justice. I don't know how to photograph food. Well, I don't really know how to photograph anything... Anyhooo... if you have never had neat loaf, you probably have no idea what I am so excited about nor would you understand why I am so excited. In short, neat loaf is a vegetarian loaf that these Sri Chinmoy chain restaurants served that is so so so so good. It's the best vegetarian loaf I have ever had and it's good even compared to real meat loaf.
Neat Loaf is the signature dish on the restaurant menu and the recipe used to be closely guarded. They have a cook book for sale but the neat loaf recipe is not in it. Basically, the neat loaf is the ultimate money maker for these restaurants. I have tried many many many loaf recipes and they've all been disasterous. Seriously, I have been trying to make a decent vegetarian loaf for 7 years! The dude on the receiving end of these loaf experiments can tell you they were not good. So, imagine my delight and surprise when I randomly searched the internet for the neat loaf recipe and FOUND IT! Apparently, someone from within the group got mad at the group and decided to spill the beans.
So, here is the recipe. Even if you have no interest in the loaf, try out the sauce. It is a tangy yummy bbq sauce and some may argue the best part of the loaf.
NEATLOAF - The real deal
4 eggs
2/3 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix (the whole packet measures 1/4 cup, so use slightly less or use the whole packet if you like the onion soup mix taste) - for vegetarian version substitute dry soup mix without beef bouillion
1/3 LB low-fat ricotta cheese
1/3 LB firm tofu (mashed into small pieces)
1/4 cup vegetable oil of choice
1/3 cup onions
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. rosemary (fresh is good)
4 cups (dry measured) Special K (note: this approximately equals 4 oz or 113 grams of the cereal by weight)
1 1/2 tbsp. garlic
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/8 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup molasses
1/8 cup to 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (to taste)
Pinch cayenne ground pepper (to taste)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Sauté onions and garlic.
Beat eggs in a bowl, and then add all other ingredients except the Special K. Mix well and then add the Special K last. Put in pan that is sprayed with cooking oil.
Bake for 1 hour. Pour sauce over loaf after 1 hour, and bake for 10 more minutes.
6 comments:
i just found this post. i have been craving that neat loaf since i left cali 3 years ago. totally gonna make it. thanks
Yea, Hooray, I have been looking for over an hour and this popped up!!! I love this loaf and tomorrow it will be on my table.
Thank you for posting it!!!!!
Just a hint: I used the recipe, and it has a great flavor and texture. Thanks for posting this. However, I made the mistake of using a La Creuset casserole dish. It would have worked much better if I'd shaped the loaf (or two loaves) directly onto a flat baking dish. Otherwise, excellent.
Thank you!
Just have to make this for my family.
I made this dish for my family and friends who've had the original need Loaf recipe and love it. it was a smashing success thank you. Do to our dietary restrictions I used egg replacer instead of actual an egg. I'm making it again tomorrow but this time I'm using extra firm tofu and I'm going to get the water out with the cheesecloth so its not as moist as it was last time. And I'm substituting 2 cups of bread for half of the Special K cereal to give the neatloaf more body. I hope everyone enjoys this recipe is much as I am! Thanks again!
I made this dish for my family and friends who've had the original need Loaf recipe and love it. it was a smashing success thank you. Do to our dietary restrictions I used egg replacer instead of actual an egg. I'm making it again tomorrow but this time I'm using extra firm tofu and I'm going to get the water out with the cheesecloth so its not as moist as it was last time. And I'm substituting 2 cups of bread for half of the Special K cereal to give the neatloaf more body. I hope everyone enjoys this recipe is much as I am! Thanks again!
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