Bake these vegetarian nut roast rolls for a Boxing Day buffet or summer picnic. They’re packed with mushrooms, lentils and nuts, and encased in puff pastry
Prep:25 mins
Makes 16
2 tsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped200g chestnut mushrooms, chopped5 sage leaves, finely chopped5 thyme sprigs, leaves picked250g pouch cooked puy lentils50g fresh breadcrumbs80g grated mature cheddar1 egg, beaten75g mixed nuts (we used cashews, pecans and almonds)grating of nutmeg320g ready-rolled puff pastry
STEP 1Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 8-10 mins until soft and translucent. Add the mushrooms and herbs, and continue to cook for 8-10 mins more until any water from the mushrooms has evaporated.STEP 2Tip half of the lentils into a food processor along with the onion and mushrooms, the breadcrumbs, cheese, most of the egg, the nuts and a generous grating of nutmeg. Season well, then pulse to a coarse rubble – you want a little texture, so be careful not to over-blend. Add the remaining lentils and gently pulse again.STEP 3Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut it in half down the centre, along its length. Spoon the nut roast mixture down the centre of each pastry rectangle. Brush a little of the remaining beaten egg over one exposed edge of each rectangle, then fold the pastry over to enclose the filling, pressing the edges together to seal. Brush the tops of the rectangles with the rest of the beaten egg, then cut into 4cm rolls down the length.STEP 4Arrange the rolls over two baking trays lined with baking parchment. Chill for at least 30 mins. Will keep frozen for up to three months. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bake the rolls for 20 mins from chilled or 30 mins from frozen. Can be served warm or cold.
