Vegan Lasagna

I'm so busy this week, but I wanted to post this. Vegan Lasagna!

So many vegan lasagnas only use tofu instead of ricotta. It's alright, but it's not great. So, I still used tofu, but the base was grated cauliflower, tamari sauce, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, onion powder and a smidgen of smoky paprika.

I started by preparing the base and then crumbling in the extra-firm tofu. Set it aside while grating the rest of the veg: broccoli, peppers, courgette, carrots and the non-woody stalks of asparagus.

Then add those greeted veggies to a heated pan with olive oil and sauté until tender. This helps reduce the water content and helps build flavour. I was in a rush, so I used canned pasta sauce.

I decided to grill the aubergine instead of grating it. So, just in a hot skillet, I seared it with a bit of olive oil. The spinach also seemed to be too good to chuck through a grater, so I wilted it quickly with olive oil. And salt! Carefully season everything after it's been reduced/seared/sweated.

Sometime when all of this was going on, I boiled the lasagne noodles. You could totally go gluten free, but these are just regular wheat noodles. Either way, be sure not to over cook them. Just soften them - ultra al dente? They'll get more cooking in the oven.

Then, begin building the dish: layer sauce, noodle, spinach and then "ricotta" filling until the dish is almost full. Be sure the top layer is sauce, and that the noodles are fully covered - otherwise they get hard and dry. Then arrange extra veg on the top. I think this makes a nice addition to any lasagna. I topped it with asparagus spears, tomatoes, olives and more grilled eggplant.

Bake for about 30-45 minutes.

I served it with a fresh sprig of basil and a drizzle of aged balsamic and olive oil.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho has the reputation of being an awkward dish.  It's not always well received - after all, it's cold soup.  The first time I tried it, I was in Paris and decided, "I'm never coming back to this place!  They can't even heat up soup properly."Thankfully I got over my Parisian aversion and I learned to actually like gazpacho!

I started with tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, chili pepper and basil - all harvested from the garden. First, peel, half and remove the seeds from a medium cucumber.  Then coarsely dice the cucumber, tomato, onions and pepper.  Be sure to very finely mince the chili pepper - any remove the seeds unless you're really a fan of spice. Pile it all in a food processor with the basil, a bit of salt, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Blitz it up until it's soupy, but not a fine puree.  There should be a bit of texture.

I find it's best to serve chilled, but not ice cold.

Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo

This was a surprising delight.  I found a red pepper recipe from Minimalist Baker (amazing blog).  I had red peppers in the garden.  I was inspired.

First, break down the red peppers and coat with olive oil.  Then, broil, roast or grill until the skin is charred.  This should help it slide off easily.  Mix the peeled red peppers with a few cashews, tamari sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, nutritional yeast and a bit of salt.  Cover the mixture with water and puree in a high speed blender.

Prepare a portion of brown rice pasta to just-before-al-dente.

Add the blender mixture to a hot frying pan with a shot of olive oil.  Allow to bubble and reduce until slightly thickened.  Then, add a scoop of the starchy pasta water and the noodles.  Continue to simmer until the pasta is finished cooking.

It's a very rich and savoury-sweet dish.  I love it!

Squash Blossom Cornbread

Squash blossoms are one of those unique treats. They're not particularly flavourful, but they're a delicacy of fragility. They last less than 12 hours, so working with them requires a fresh supply and an early morning harvest. Although they don't impart much flavour to this dish, they add a unique look.

First, I collected the blossoms from garden in the morning.  It's important to work fairly quickly since they'll wilt and become unusable.  Carefully flatten (but don't crush) them.  Mix a corn bread batter: cornmeal, almond milk, eggs, olive oil, salt and baking powder.

The trick to really great cornbread is a preheated cast iron pan.  When preheating the oven, place a cast iron skillet inside.  When the preheat cycle is over, remove the pan, add a generous glug of oil and then add the batter.  Immediately, the bread begins cooking and bubbling.  This creates a rich, thick and crispy crust.

I like to give cornbread a savoury edge by adding rings of red onion.  Finish the batter by placing the squash flowers atop the batter, drizzle or spray with olive oil, and return the skillet to the oven.

It's ready when the top is golden brown.

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

If you follow me on the twitters or the instantgrams, you know I harvested a pile of tomatoes. When I saw a fresh portobello at the market, I knew I had to put them to good use, along with the other great veg from the garden.

First, dice the veg and saute it in olive oil.  Continue cooking until they're reduced and softened.  Prep the mushrooms by washing or peeling them and removing the stem.  I also like to coat the mushrooms with olive oil to prevent them from getting too dry and leathery.

Fill the mushrooms with the vegetable mixture and bake at 400F for about 15-20 minutes.  Allow to cool and serve with fresh herbs, I like basil and oregano.  Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Confit byaldi - Variation on Ratatouille

My favourite vegan french dish: Ratatouille!  It's also one of my favourite dished because I grow all the vegetables in my garden.

First, slice the squash, zucchini and eggplant.  Then, dice and fry in olive oil; the peppers, tomatoes, shallots and onions.  Once the onions and peppers are softened, spoon the mixture in a baking dish.  I chose to use small oven-safe dishes but really any baking dish will work.

Then, layer the sliced vegetables in an overlapping, alternating pattern.  Be sure to cover the entire baking dish.  Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top.

Wrap, or cover, the baking dishes with parchment paper (not wax paper).  This keeps the vegetables from drying out in the oven.  Bake at 350F for about an hour.  Remove from the over, let cool and refrigerate over night.

The next day, remove the parchment and cover the top with tomato sauce.  Admittedly, I used tinned tomato paste with fresh sauteed vegetables to make the top sauce.  I had only green tomatoes and those don't make an attractive sauce.

Return the sauce covered ratatouille to the oven for ~15 minutes to reheat.  Serve while it's still hot.  It's amazing on its own, but also goes well with rice and salad.

Matcha Doughnuts

Doughnuts are always a hit!  These are made from organic spelt - ground in the vitamix.

After grinding the flour, the first step is to make a dough: Water, flour, yeast, coconut oil, yeast and sugar.  I let it ferment in the fridge overnight to increase the flavour complexity.

Then, kneed and add enough flour to make a workable dough.  Sometimes, at this stage, I add a bit of baking flour to make the doughnuts really expand when fried.  Let it rest about 15 minutes to relax the gluten then roll to quarter-inch thickness.  Using cookie cutters, cut into doughnut shapes.  Allow the dough to raise for ~15 minutes to before deep frying at 350F.

When they're done frying, drain excess oil and cover in matcha-sugar while still hot (half-teaspoon of matcha powder in half-cup of sugar).

Focaccia: baking watery bread #notgross

Focaccia is a delightful bread.  It's a little unique that it contains ~60%-70% water.

As usual I just threw things together; so bad at measuring.  After you work for years with bread it becomes second nature.  So, now's the perfect time for you to start!  In no time, you'll be making bread from scratch.

Begin by mixing flour, salt, yeast and water to form a very soft dough.  I like to let the dough ferment overnight in the refrigerator to allow it to develop complex flavours.

Scoop the dough out on a floured surface.  Here's the trick, the dough should be folded over itself rather than traditionally kneaded.  This forms the gluten, gives the bread shape and it keeps the air bubbles intact.

After folding, place the dough on a baking tray (lined with a silicon baking mat, oiled parchment, or simply oil the baking tray).  Let it raise until doubled in size and then use your fingers to make indentions on the surface.  This keeps the bread from raising too high and it gives the topping a nice home.

Then drizzle with good olive oil and top with delightful Italian flavours.  I chose red onion, olives and tomatoes.  Bake at 400F until golden brown.  It's a delight!

Summer 2014 Garden Progress

Butternut squash, watermelon, corn, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, cucumber, melons.

Grilled veg - the easiest summer meal

One of the simplest and most delicious summer meals is also one of the easiest. I love taking fresh garner veg and giving it a go on the grill. Be sure to chose things that won't crumble on, or fight, the skewer. Things like carrots and slices of tomatoes don't work the best.

This time, I chose to try out a vegan barbecue sauce. But, it's also delicious with sea salt and olive oil.

One thing I forgot to do: if you're using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them to prevent burning.

Vegan Karelian Pastry

I've found a great new Youtube channel!   http://www.youtube.com/frenchguycookingIf you want to expand your taste in French food and international cuisine, this is a great channel!

Recently, French Guy made a video about Karelian, a Finnish rye pastry:  http://youtu.be/MzOtBft2vRY  Watch the video and Subscribe!

First, make a rice pudding: half cup of rice and a litre of almond milk; a bit of sugar and salt. I also added vanilla and almond extract for a bit of extra flavour.

While the rice is cooking, prepare the dough. Two cups of rye flour, one cup of all-purpose flour, a bit of salt and a cup of water. So simple! Work the ingredients into a dough, roll flat (half centimeter thickness). Cut out circles, and roll out extra thin.

Then, place a bit of rice pudding in the middle of the pastry.  Fold in two of the sides and begin pinching the sides.  It should cause the pastry to form an oval shape.

Place the pastry on parchment and bake at 500F until golden brown (~10 minutes). When it's done, remove from the oven and brush with vegan-butter spread.

French Guy added a twist by adding fruit and seeds. I liked it! I thought, "what else can I do?" So I made a savoury karelian pastry: sauteed oninon and chopped pecan. Such flavour!

Give it a try! It's sure to delight. Remember to subscribe to French Guy Cooking!

Happy Fourth of July 2014 - Dark-fruit on Shortcake

A delightfully delicious dessert using summer-fresh dark-fruit.

Start by making a shortcake (3 parts flour, 1 part coconut oil and 2 parts almond milk).  Also, remember a pinch of salt, a bit of sugar and baking powder.  I tried forming it in a pastry ring, but they would be more consistent if they were rolled and cut.  Bake at 400F until golden brown.

While baking, prepare the fruit:   wash and drain blueberries and pit the cherries.

When the shortcake is finished baking, allow it to cool for a few moments and spread with dairy free spread (or whipped cream, if you prefer).  Then, pile the fruit atop the shortcake. As a finishing touch, drizzle with honey (or agave syrup if you're ultra-vegan).

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Traditional, first tomato sandwich of the year 2014

Each year I take the first ripe slicing tomato, bake bread from scratch and assemble a sandwich. Multigrain wheat and rye swirl:

Garden grown; vine ripe, pesticide free:

Mmmm... a delicious tradition.

Tofu - the experiment!

I saw an episode on the Reserve Channel about making Tofu: http://youtu.be/08hPqd9sWzw

So easy, I thought!  And really it is easy, but rather time consuming.  Here are the steps:

1. soak soybeans overnight
2. drain, rinse, add more water and blend - they need to be a smooth mush
3. add the slurry to boiling water and let it cook (I dunno, maybe 20 minutes)
4. keep an eye on it!  (soy) milk doesn't boil, it boils-over!
5. let it cool a bit and then strain through cheesecloth, keeping the milk
6. the leftover soy mush can be used in veggie burgers

Now, here's how the most simple tofu is made:

1. Pour the soy milk into a wide pan and set the heat to a low simmer
2. after a few minutes, a skin will form on the top - that's the TOFU!
3. carefully remove the skin, it's best to let it fold in half, making a semi-circle
4. keep removing the skin as it forms, keeping the finished sheets covered with a damp cloth

This is tofu in its purest form - no thickeners or coagulants, just the soy.  It's best to use them right away, but they keep a few days in the fridge.

Check back soon to see how these (eerily-skin-like) tofu sheets become part of a delicious appetizer.

Garden 2014 - Start of Summer!

Summer's finally here and the garden is going strong! Squash blossoms

Blueberry, tomato, eggplant, pepper:

Avocado filled Potatoes

A delicious fusion of carbs and avocado bliss, this dish is energising and filling. The starchy sweetness of the potatoes melds delightfully with the mellow avocado.

First, wash and scrub the potatoes. Boil the potatoes with a bit of salt. Continue boiling until soft, testing for doneness by inserting a knife. When the knife can go through easily, they're ready.  Remove the potatoes from the heat and allow to cool in the cooking water. When they've cooled completely, coat with olive oil, dill and a bit of salt.  Then, halve them and scoop out the insides, leaving at least a quarter inch on the sides.

Mix the scooped potato with a couple avocados, a squeeze of lemon, salt, tarragon and blend in the food processor until creamy.

While it's mixing, warm the hollowed potatoes.  A hot grill, a skillet, the broiler are all perfect methods.  I just used a gas torch... because it's manly.

Quickly place the creamy avocado-potato puree in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.  Fill the warmed, hollow potatoes with the savoury, sweet, tangy and smooth avocado mixture.  Garnish with tarragon, green onion, tomato and finishing salt (Maldon or fleur de sel).

Pomegranate-Blood Orange Granita

Take the edge off the summer heat with a granita!  Not quite a slush, not completely frozen, this dish is a frosty delight.

Start by juicing the pomegranate and oranges.  I like a ratio of 1 pomegranate to 2 oranges.  Add a bit of orange zest, water and sugar to brighten the flavours.

Place in the freezer and agitate every 15 minutes.  This prevents large ice crystals from forming.  It's ready when all the liquid is frozen.  When serving, garnish with thinly sliced segments of the blood orange.

Coffee Purist

I can't even remember the last time I added cream or sugar.

Garden 2012 Starting Strong

Fair weather has attended the garden. If all goes well, the tomatoes will start to ripen in two weeks. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Mango and Sweet Coconut Jasmine Rice

A variation on a favourite of mine, sticky rice with mango.

It a fairly simple dish, and one I used to eat often when I lived on an island.  It's sweet, savoury, creamy and satisfying.  To make this, I prepared jasmine rice and added: coconut milk, toasted coconut flakes, coconut sugar, salt and Thai basil.  I used only coconut milk, instead of water, to cook the rice and it was a bit too rich.  It would probably be better 50:50 water and rice.  Also, I used coconut sugar to give it a rich caramel flavour; again, a bit too rich.  Plain white sugar would be perfect.

While the rice is cooking, chunk the mango.

When the rice is finished cooking, allow it to cool slightly and serve with the mango chunks.  Garnish with Thai basil.  It's a delightful licoricey complement to the tropical flavours.