Monday, 7 November 2011

Asparagus quiche.

This vegan quiche is particularly wonderful in the summertime when asparagus is in season and grilling always sounds like a good idea. Feel free to use this recipe all throughout the year, though, and substitute whatever fresh veggies you have on hand!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 80 minutes

Yield: One 9" Quiche

Ingredients:

  • For the Grilled Asparagus:
  • 1/2 pound fresh asparagus
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • Salt and pepper
  • For the Quiche:
  • 8 ounces block-style dairy-free cheese of your choice, crumbled
  • 2 12.3-ounce packages firm silken tofu, drained
  • 1/2 cup plain soy milk or almond milk
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 3 T. finely ground cashews
  • 3 T. cornstarch
  • 3 T. dairy-free cream cheese, such as Tofutti
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1/2 t. freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 t. garlic powder
  • 1/2 t. onion powder
  • 1/4 t. turmeric

Preparation:

1. Grill the asparagus. Heat the grill to high heat. Brush the asparagus spears with olive oil. Lightly salt and pepper, and grill for about 5 minutes, or until just lightly browned and still crisp. Remove from the grill, cut into pieces and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly oil a 9" pie plate and set aside.
3. Prepare the quiche. Sprinkle about 1/2 of the crumbled dairy-free cheese in the bottom of the pie plate. Spread the asparagus on top of the crumbled dairy-free cheese. Set aside. In a blender, process the tofu, soy milk, nutritional yeast, ground cashews, cornstarch, dairy-free cream cheese, salt, freshly ground pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric until smooth. Stir in the the remaining crumble dairy free cheese using a wooden spoon. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie plate.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Serve warm or cold



CHEF'S NOTE:

I used a pie crust with this, and only one tbsp plain flour.  It worked really well.  I also added two tbsp of white miso to make it creamy and salty.  IT WAS THE SHIZZ I MEAN IT.

Carrot and coconut salad.

Preparation method

Prep: 15 minutes
1.
Place carrots, parsley, coconut, hazelnuts and sultanas in a medium serving bowl.
2.
Combine oil, juice and cumin and stir into salad. Divide salad among individual serving bowls.

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Ginger miso dressing.

2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp soyaki (or more soy sauce)
1 tbsp (yellow, mild) miso
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp fresh, grated ginger
2 tsp sesame oil


CHEF'S NOTE: I made this today and poured it over soba noodles, blanched broccolini and snow peas.  To top it off I added Teriyaki tofu, avocado, cherry tomatoes and coriander.  IT WAS FUCKING BRILLIANT.

Carla's blue cheezly gnocchi with broccolini.



From Easy As Vegan Pie.


ingredients
yields 4 medium meals
1 carton of Isola rice cooking cream
1/2 stick of blue cheezly, grated
gnocchi for 4 people*
1/2 bunch of broccolini, sliced thinly


method
1. Heat the rice cream on low and add the blue cheezly, it should be all melted and hot by the time the gnocchi has finished cooking.

2. Throw the gnocchi in salted boiling water, when it rises to the top its cooked.

3. Toss the gnocchi in the sauce and add the broccolini. The heat will be enough to cook the broccolini.

notes: Store bought dried gnocchi is vegan, I use 2 handfuls per person for a serving.
style points: For extra deliciousness add 1/4 block of smoked tofu, cubed small to the heated cream sauce.


Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Soba Noodle Broth.


Chef's note - I used bok choy in this, and added 2 tbsp of mirin, as well as 3/4 tbsp sugar.    I also sauteed the vegetables slightly before adding the stock.
The more ginger you use, the better it is.  Serve with hot chili sauce and tamari on the table so people may add accoutrements as they see fit.

Ingredients
  • Around 4 Oz packet of Buckwheat Soba Noodles, cooked as per packet instructions
  • 3-4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
  • 1 liter of water or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup snow peas, cut into thin strips
  • 1 large carrot, cut into thin strips
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 3-4 spring onions, sliced
  • Less than 1 inch piece of ginger, cut into julienne strips
  • 2-3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or as per taste)
  • Few cilantro sprigs for garnish
  • Salt if needed, to taste
Method
1
Once the noodles are cooked, drain and rinse it lightly with cold water. set aside.
Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
2
Meanwhile, combine the water/stock, mushrooms, snow peas, carrot, garlic,onions and ginger in a saucepan. bring it to a boil and then simmer in low heat for few more minutes until vegetables are tender.
Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
3
Add the soy sauce and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
4
Divide the noodles among soup bowls.
Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
5
Ladle the hot liquid on top of the noodles
Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
and Serve Hot garnished with cilantro. You can add few tbsp of mirin or sake  along the soy sauce if using.Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup Recipe

Sunday, 18 September 2011

Kickass never-fail roasted Japanese mushrooms.


1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup sesame oil
4-5 tablespoons tamari
2 glugs and 1 splash of white wine
Stir vigorously as the ingredients tend to separate. Set aside.
Take a pound of fresh, whole Shiitake mushrooms. Cut the stems from the caps. Place gills facing up. Do not slice mushrooms. (The stems can be dried and used for a soup base or discarded.)
Pour the above sauce onto the mushrooms and stir, making sure the gills become saturated with the sauce.
In a 350° F oven, bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

Watermelon with lime and maple syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 watermelon, chilled and sliced

  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

  • Zest from one lime

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

  • 1/2 cup mint, chopped

  • Cooking Directions

    Place the watermelon slices on a decorative platter. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, zest and maple syrup. Drizzle over the slices of watermelon. Sprinkle the mint over the slices of dressed watermelon and serve immediately.