Vegan Lentil Loaf

Name: Vegan Lentil Loaf
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup dry brown (green lentils); 1 ⅓ cup water; 1 bay leaf; 1 Tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil; ½ large onion (about 1 heaping cup, chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 rib of celery (chopped); 1 carrot (peeled and chopped); ½ cup chopped walnuts; 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats; 3 Tablespoons tamari; 3 Tablespoons tomato paste; 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed; 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast; 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ¼ teaspoon ground pepper; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 2 Tablespoons tomato paste; 1 ½ Tablespoons pure maple syrup; 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar; pinch of sea salt