The Things I love....

My sous chef, my kids and good food! J

Here are some recipes to warm your soul.

Seitan Tetrazzini

Mmm mmm good. Perfect comfort food when it is cold out or you want something hardy. You can make it with or without the seitan or substitute tofu or vegan sausage.

What is most important is having your Sous Chef by your side to help you chop! J

My modified version of the recipe from “The Uncheese Cookbook”

What you need:

½ cup of sliced mushrooms
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 cup sliced red bell pepper
½ cup chopped onion

½ cup chopped spinach

1 cup steamed broccoli

1 package of Seitan

Sauce:
2 tbs earth balance butter

2 cups of cashew cream sauce*
½ cup of dry white wine

2 tbs vegan parmesan cheese

1 clove of garlic

1 tbs nutritional yeast flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound pasta of your choice

What you do:

1.)    Chop and sauté veges and seitan

2.)    Cook the pasta

3.)    Make the sauce in your blender (till smooth and creamy)

4.)    Pour the sauce in a sauce pan and let simmer for 20 mins

5.)    Then combine the sauce, pasta and veges in a casserole dish

6.)    Sprinkle the top with vegan parm and dried herbs (optional)

7.)    Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

*Cashew cream sauce can be made with many variations – but the basic is 1 cup cashews and 1 cup water – blend and voila = perfect cream!

Enjoy!

Votes:

Adults: 2 thumbs up

Children: 4 thumbs up

Red Velvet Cake – a favorite Valentine tradition in our home!
from “The Vegan Table” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.


INGREDIENTS
For Cake Batter:
3 1/2 cups unbleached  flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 cups nondairy milk (soy, rice, almond, hazelnut, hemp, or oat)
2/3 cup canola oil
3 tbs red food coloring
2 tbs distilled white vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
For Buttercream Frosting:
1 container Earth Balance butter
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract
2 tablespoons nondairy milk (soy, rice, almond, hazelnut, hemp, or oat)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil two 8-inch round cake pans.
To make the batter, in a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. Create a well in the center, and add milk, oil, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla, and mix until thoroughly combined.
Divide cake batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Place pans in the oven spaced evenly apart. Bake for about 35 minutes, rotating 45 degrees halfway through.
Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides. One at a time, invert the cakes. Let cool completely.
To make the frosting, with an electric hand or stand mixer, cream butter until it is smooth and begins to fluff. With the mixer on low speed, add confectioners' sugar and fluff for another few minutes. Add vanilla and milk.
Once all ingredients are well-combined, beat on high until frosting is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons more milk to achieve the right consistency.
Then frost the cake, decorate as you wish and enjoy!

Round one: I forgot the baking soda = red velvet pancakes L blah.
Round two: Didn’t forget anything, but chose to make cupcakes instead.

Enjoy!

Votes:

Adults: 2 thumbs up

Children: 4 thumbs up


Belinda Carlisle was right, Heaven is a place on Earth, and I found it in my kitchen. When i made my fave food come to life. Now they didnt look exactly like the pretzels from Auntie Anne's or Wetzel's Pretzels, but they tasted just like them, maybe even better! So fresh, so warm, and right from my own oven. If you like bread and buttah, then this recipe is for you.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels
(from copycat-recipes online)

What you need:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package active dry yeast
2 tbs brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups regular flour
2 cups warm water
2 tbs baking soda

Coarse salt (to taste)
4 tbs Earth Balance vegan butter (melted)

 

What you do:
Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour (can sit up to 4-5 hrs)

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again (15 minutes). Bake in 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and add salt! (If you are like me, you will eat them right out of the oven and dip them in more buttah!)

Devour!

Votes:

Adults: 2 thumbs, both hands and feet, all up!

Children: 4 thumbs, 8 arms, 8 legs and voices all up!

Have a great V-day.