A holiday meal you can celebrate!
As we approach the end of another year, for many it is a time of reflection, resolution and renewal. I'm sure that I am not alone when I say that for me, 2009 has been one of the most challenging years I've experienced yet. Throughout those challenges, there have been some notable food and diet related discoveries that deserve a mention.
2009 LGV Highlights
Volentia.com
This is an exciting new social network, designed for vegetarians. I'm enjoying following the conversations and participating in the food blogs and discussions. Definitely check this out if you are looking for alternatives to Facebook. www.volentia.com
Hornby Island Vegetarian Pate
This was an unexpected discovery. We found the most amazing vegetarian pate at a Thrifty's grocery store, while visiting family during the holidays in Nanaimo, BC. Stay tuned, as I will be trying to design my own recipe in the near future. I owe my inspiration to Cardboard House Bakery, check them out at http://www.realhornby.com/shopping/cardboardhouse/
Food Inc
This movie is worth a mention because it sheds light on what is really going on with our food and its production. See the trailer at http://www.foodincmovie.com/
Liquid Smoke
I am still not sure about the safety of this discovery. Wikipedia suggests that there are studies indicating that liquid smoke could actually be less carcinogenic than real smoking methods. Until there is some evidence that disputes health of this product, I would recommend this as an optional ingredient, in moderation and at your own risk. For those who are new to the vegetarian lifestyle and who are longing for the smokey taste of bacon, this should amuse your cravings. It can be used in anything from soups and sauces to flavouring for soft cheeses and tempeh.
Urban Herbivore
This was a great discovery for me one rainy day in Kensington Market. I had seen this restaurant but hadn't walked in until recently. I can highly recommend their creative salads and "Handwiches", featuring smoked coconut. Definitely worth checking out... they are located at 64 Oxford (at Augusta), in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Vital Gluten
Finally, as an experimental vegetarian, my biggest discovery of 2009 is definitely the ingredient "Vital Gluten". (I must apologize to those who are allergic or cannot digest gluten. I promise to continue working on recipes with alternatives for you!)
My last blog post of 2009 is dedicated to this amazing product, which is the main ingredient in seitan. This blog features a seitan loaf, inspired by the "Holiday Turkey".
I did not create this recipe, but I have tested it, and I can say it was a success. I would alter the recipe in future to suit my own tastes, but until then, I present you with the original recipe, which I found through Everyday Dish TV. You can find a video with step by step instructions.
Enjoy this delicious complement to your veggie dishes on your holiday table or at any time of year. Thank you to Brian McCarthy for this delicious recipe. Here is a link to the video clip. www.everydaydish.tv
Happy New Year, see you in 2010!
Vegan Turkey Roast
Yield: 8 servings
Also makes great sandwiches!
1 gallon water
2 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups vegetable broth*
1/4 cup light olive oil
1 tbsp soy sauce**
Cheesecloth (one double thick 24-inch by 16-inch piece)
2 6-inch pieces of string
1 batch uncooked stuffing (optional)
*If using the homemade vegetable broth, you may need to add salt to this recipe.
**Substitute Bragg liquid aminos if desired.
1) In a large pot, bring 1 gallon of water to a low boil.
2) In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten, yeast flakes, thyme, onion powder, and salt.
3) Add the vegetable broth, oil, and soy sauce, stir just until combined.
4) Form into a loaf shape.
5) Place gluten loaf on cheesecloth and roll up (not to tight). Tie each end with a piece of string.
6) Place in simmering water, covered, for 1 hour*** (2 hours for a double batch).
7) Preheat oven to 325.
8) Take roast out of water and remove cheesecloth. Place in baking dish with prepared stuffing, if desired.
9) Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
*** Make stuffing while turkey is simmering in the water. Cook the stuffing in the baking dish with the turkey.
Variation: Vegan Turkey with Puff Pastry
After turkey is done boiling, remove it from the water and remove cheesecloth. Roll out a piece of puff pastry so that it will cover your turkey. Cover turkey with puff pastry. Brush puff pastry with a mixture of half ketchup and half water. Sprinkle with a little bit of thyme. Bake turkey, uncovered, at 400ยบ F. for 25 minutes.
Copyright © 2008 Brian McCarthy
Also makes great sandwiches!
1 gallon water
2 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups vegetable broth*
1/4 cup light olive oil
1 tbsp soy sauce**
Cheesecloth (one double thick 24-inch by 16-inch piece)
2 6-inch pieces of string
1 batch uncooked stuffing (optional)
*If using the homemade vegetable broth, you may need to add salt to this recipe.
**Substitute Bragg liquid aminos if desired.
1) In a large pot, bring 1 gallon of water to a low boil.
2) In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten, yeast flakes, thyme, onion powder, and salt.
3) Add the vegetable broth, oil, and soy sauce, stir just until combined.
4) Form into a loaf shape.
5) Place gluten loaf on cheesecloth and roll up (not to tight). Tie each end with a piece of string.
6) Place in simmering water, covered, for 1 hour*** (2 hours for a double batch).
7) Preheat oven to 325.
8) Take roast out of water and remove cheesecloth. Place in baking dish with prepared stuffing, if desired.
9) Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
*** Make stuffing while turkey is simmering in the water. Cook the stuffing in the baking dish with the turkey.
Variation: Vegan Turkey with Puff Pastry
After turkey is done boiling, remove it from the water and remove cheesecloth. Roll out a piece of puff pastry so that it will cover your turkey. Cover turkey with puff pastry. Brush puff pastry with a mixture of half ketchup and half water. Sprinkle with a little bit of thyme. Bake turkey, uncovered, at 400ยบ F. for 25 minutes.
Copyright © 2008 Brian McCarthy
*As a substitute for the puff pastry (I could not find a vegan alternative to Tenderflake) I used phyllo pastry instead. I used three layers and wrapped it immediately after it came out of the pot. In the future, I will probably use more layers and bake on lower heat for a longer time, for more crispiness and browning.
