This pâté is absolutely divine.  I ate most of this batch smeared atop homemade brown rice burgers with fresh chopped green onions.

Try it atop your own homemade veggie burgers, on warmed pita bread, an accompaniment to steamed veggies, or inside a roasted vegetable wrap.  Or enjoy it as a hummus with tortilla chips, crackers, or raw veggies for dipping.

Double the recipe and bring it along to the next potluck to impress all your friends!

Japanese-Inspired Red Lentil Pâté Recipe

4 ounces fresh organic crimini mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon organic brown rice vinegar

1 tablespoon organic oil (I used organic extra-virgin olive oil)

1 tablespoon organic yellow onion, minced

1 tablespoon organic garlic, minced

2 teaspoons organic sweet white miso

1/2 tablespoon umeboshi paste

organic shoyu, to taste

1 cup organic red lentils

2 cups water

2 whole organic bay leaves

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Combine in bowl: rice vinegar, oil, and a dash of shoyu.  Add mushrooms, onions and garlic and stir to coat evenly.  Spread mixture onto baking sheet and roast in oven for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in saucepan, add lentils, water, and bay leaves.  Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to med-low and simmer until done.

When the lentils and mushroom and onion mixture is cool, add to food processor along with miso & umeboshi paste.  Purée until nice and creamy.

Enjoy!