07/09/2026
🌿 RECIPE INSPIRATION: Middle Eastern Inspired Nut Roast
Fancy something a little different for Sunday dinner? This gorgeous plant-based nut roast is packed with warming spices, nuts, red lentils, butternut squash and dried fruit — finished with pistachios and fresh herbs. 😋
Even better, you can pick up the ingredients here at The Natural Way!
🛒 What you’ll need:
• 120g red lentils
• 300ml vegetable stock
• 500g butternut squash
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 120g ground almonds
• 150g mixed nuts
• 100g cooked chestnuts
• 50g mixed seeds
• 40g dried cranberries
• 40g Medjool dates
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt & black pepper
To finish: chopped pistachios and plenty of fresh dill or parsley.
👩🍳 How to make it
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Toss the butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil and a little salt and roast for 20–25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelised.
2. Mix the nuts, chestnuts, ground almonds, seeds, cranberries and dates together in a large bowl.
3. Gently cook the onion in the remaining olive oil for around 6–8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, oregano and paprika, then add the red lentils, vegetable stock and bay leaves. Simmer gently for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the bay leaves.
5. Add the cooked lentils and most of the roasted squash to your dry mixture. Season and mix thoroughly.
6. Press firmly into a lined loaf or cake tin and bake for 45–50 minutes, until set and lightly golden.
7. Leave to rest for 10–15 minutes before turning out, then top with the remaining roasted squash, chopped pistachios and fresh dill or parsley.
🌱 A hearty plant-based centrepiece that’s absolutely packed with flavour.
And remember — you can pick up the ingredients from us in the shop, including Just Natural organic red lentils and organic cranberries, along with nuts, seeds, dates, herbs and spices.
📍 The Natural Way, Braintree High Street
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