I have been making this Celebration Nut Roast with Lemon Garlic Stuffing for over 20 years. Every couple of years, I try another, however, I always come back to this one as my favourite. It’s not a Cranks recipe, but it transports me back to my London days hanging out at Cranks, and before plant-based eating was even a thing.
Nuts offer a wide range of benefits for mental health. Packed with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals, nuts contribute to brain health and function. Research has found that Omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in certain nuts like walnuts, are known to support cognitive function and eating a handful of nuts a day, helps alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, nuts contain vitamin E, which has been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. The combination of these nutrients promotes overall brain well-being and is an excellent addition to a balanced diet, ensuring that the joy of nut roasts extends beyond the palate to positively impact mental health.
You can experiment with a variety of nuts and stuffing ingredients in this recipe – I have taken to adding preserved lemons in mine. It’s great hot for a roast lunch or served cold at a picnic or in a nutmeat butty.
The recipe serves 6 people as part of a roast lunch with all of the trimmings.
Celebration Nut Roast with Lemon Garlic Stuffing
Nut Roast
- 100 g of wholemeal or seeded breadcrumbs
- 225g of finely ground nuts (hazels, almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamias etc)
- knob of plant-based butter
- 1 heaped TBSP of flour
- 150ml of soy milk
- 150ml of veggie stock
- 1 tsp of yeast extract or miso paste
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 large onion, chopped
- S&P
Stuffing
- 75g wholemeal or seeded breadcrumbs
- 50g of melted plant-based butter
- 1/2 of a small onion, grated
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 2 TBSP of fresh parsley
- Rind of 1 lemon, zested
To Serve
- Cranberry sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Parsley
Cooking Instructions
- Turn the oven on to 190c
- Grease and line a 1kg loaf tin with greasproof paper, long enough to overhand either end. Grease the paper well.
- Make the nutmeat first by sautéing the onion in the butter until soft. Add the flour, stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the soy milk and stock, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring continuously until the sauce has thickened.
- Turn down the heat and stir in the yeast extract or miso, nutmeg, S&P.
- Add the ground nuts and breadcrumbs to the onion sauce and mix thoroughly to make a stiff but moist nutmeat.
- Make the stuffing by combining all of the stuffing ingredients and mix well.
- Put half of the nutmeat into the prepared tin and press down firmly. Pile the stuffing on top and press again. Finally put the remaining nutmeat on top and smooth the top.
- Bake for 1 hour or until brown and firm.
- Invert the roast onto a pretty plate, peel off the greaseproof paper and garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.
- Serve with cranberry sauce and plant-based roast veggie trimmings.
