Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Using a fine sieve, rinse your lentils to remove any debris. Cook the lentils, adding about 5 minutes to package instructions for tender lentils that can be mashed easily, then drain the lentils. Transfer the lentils to a large mixing bowl and mash them, leaving some whole lentils in tact.

Step 3

While lentils are cooking, line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper. Cut two pieces of parchment paper, one to the width of the pan, and one to the length of the pan, so you have one piece facing each direction, and parchment "handles" hanging over all four sides.

Step 4

Make your flax egg by combining ground flax with 1/2 cup water and mixing well. Set aside to thicken.

Step 5

Pre-heat a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic for about 5-7 minutes (longer for softer veggies, less time for crunchier veggies). Stir regularly with a wooden spoon, and add water if the vegetables begin to dry out.

Step 6

Add your celery, carrots, and raisins to the pan and continue cooking for another 3 minutes or so. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 7

After your pineapple is chopped in tiny pieces, mash it with your fingers. You want to ensure that you only have soft pieces of pineapple (no core pieces). You can also separate out the juice to use in the glaze.

Step 8

Combine 1 1/2 tbsp. ketchup, 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, thyme, oregano, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper into a paste. Add the paste to the flax egg and mix well.

Step 9

To your large mixing bowl with the lentils, add vegetables, pineapple (only pieces, no juice), rolled oats, oat flour, and your flax egg-seasoning paste mix. Mix ingredients well to ensure that they are evenly distributed. At this stage, you can taste the mix and add any additional salt or seasonings that you'd like. Then, press the mix into the lined loaf pan.

Step 10

In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients (ketchup, maple syrup, pineapple juice, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce). Use a spoon or basting brush to cover the loaf with the glaze.

Step 11

Bake the loaf at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes.

Step 12

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, using the parchment handles, remove it from the pan and allow it to cool for another 30 minutes before slicing and serving.