This fabulous Fig Nut Loaf is a deliciously hearty, dairy-free and vegetarian alternative to traditional roasts—perfect for a wholesome Easter feast. Packed with the natural sweetness of figs, crunchy nuts, and aromatic herbs, this loaf is a nourishing centerpiece that’s as satisfying as it is flavourful.
Whether you’re hosting a fully plant-based celebration or simply looking for a vibrant addition to your festive spread, this recipe is sure to impress. Serve it warm with your favourite sides or enjoy it cold the next day—either way, it’s a winner!
Fig Nut Loaf
- Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield23.5 x 13.5 x 7cm loaf 1x
- DietVegetarian
Client: Nuttelex
Photography Nelly le Comte
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup French Puy lentils, rinsed, picked over to remove debris 3 cups vegetable stock or water 2 tablespoons Nuttelex 1 small white onion, finely chopped |4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 large carrot, finely diced 1 small red capsicum, deseeded, finely diced 300 grams mushrooms, sliced 6 dried figs, trimmed, very finely chopped 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground cumin 4 tbsp mixed fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, finely chopped 1/2 tsp chill flakes *optional 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cracked black pepper 6 eggs, lightly beaten or 1.25 – 1.5 cups silken tofu or plant-based milk (just enough to bind) 300 grams dry roasted, unsalted mixed nuts, roughly chopped 1 orange, zest and juice of 2 cups spinach, washed and patted dry 1 tbs Nuttelex, melted Serving suggestion 1 tbs Nuttelex 1 small zucchini, sliced into ribbons 6 fresh figs, trimmed, halved 1 punnet cherry tomatoes Assorted leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C. Grease and line a 23.5 x 13.5 x 7cm loaf tin with baking paper.
- Place Puy lentils in a large saucepan, cover with 3 cups vegetable stock or water, bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer until al dente, about 15-20 minutes. Do not overcook or the lentils will be mushy and the loaf will not set. (Puy lentils are firmer when cooked than dahl lentils). Remove from heat, drain, pat dry and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, heat a large frypan with Nuttelex, add onion, garlic and carrots and sauté for about 10-12 minutes until translucent. Add red capsicum, mushrooms and dried figs, sauté a further 3 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and cook a further 2 minutes.
- Season with smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, fresh herbs, chilli flakes, if using, salt and cracked black pepper. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool.
- When the mix has cooled, transfer all ingredients to a food processor, gently pulse in beaten eggs or vegan substitute), cooked lentils, chopped nuts and orange juice and zest. Pulse well to combine, then add the spinach, pulsing quickly to just combine. Do not over-process.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf tin, firmly packing the mix into the corners and centre to ensure your loaf will slice without crumbling too much.Bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven, brush with melted Nuttelex, return to the oven and bake for a further 5 minutes or until a bamboo skewer comes out clean.
- Allow to rest in the tin on a wire rack so as to firm and set completely for at least 15 minutes. Carefully lift the loaf from the tin, discard baking paper, place on to a serving platter and decorate with our serving suggestion. Alternately slice and serve, or reheat as required.
To serve
- Heat Nuttelex in a large griddle pan. Add zucchini ribbons along the griddle pan ridges to create heat stripes, transfer to serving platter, then add tomatoes and fresh figs to the pan, sautéing gently to heat through.
- Decorate the nut loaf with sautéed tomatoes and figs and top with assorted leaves to garnish.
Notes
Chill 3 days, freezable in slices
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Easter
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Plant Based
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