Trust us.

We know how to bring you a decent nut loaf, alright. The nutty boys have had a questionable enough rap over recent years due to their tendency to be hard, dry, and just a bit boring, really. They're usually wheeled out around Christmas time for vegetarians as a replacement for all the meat they won't be eating at the dinner table. And while it's possible to make and consume a delicious nut loaf (like below), they sometimes just end up being a bit sad. This one isn't though, so listen up and get the cheese ready because you're in for a wild, nut-based ride. You'll need:

• 150g mixed nuts, chopped
• 3 big eggs
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 1 big onion, chopped
• 2 sticks of celery, chopped
• 200g small mushrooms, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped (less if you're not into your garlic, but who isn't?)
• 100g lentils, chopped
• 150g grated cheese (or more, if you're into your cheese, because who isn't?)
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• Paprika, oregano, and whatever other spices you want

You need to do: 1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees while softening up your onion and celery in a pan for about five minutes. Stir in your garlic and mushrooms, followed by the pepper, and simmer for another 10 minutes until everything's good and wet. Add your spices too. 2. Throw in the lentils and tomato puree and simmer over a low heat for a few more minutes until the mixture had dried up. 3. Once the mix has cooled, stir in the breadcrumbs, nuts, eggs, and cheese. Add some more spices to the mix if you're looking for a bit of a kick. If not, just add pepper. 4. Spoon the into a tin and press down until tight and compact. Bake for 30 minutes with tin foil over, and then a further 20 minutes with tin foil off. Allow to cool for 10 minutes when out of the oven. 5. Chuck a bit of sauce on it and you're good to go.