Basic Sourdough Bread: Baking Through the Bread Baker's Apprentice

The saga continues! I am sorry to say that Google Books no longer has an extended preview of the book (makes sense, really) so I can't link to it anymore. But, as I have said before, the book is well worth the money. I have blogged about this bread before, so this time I made sourdough rolls. They are the perfect accompaniment to stews and soups, and I used them as the bread for the stuffing for my Maple Apple Cider Tofu (perfect for the holiday season!) It makes a great stuffing--complex flavour and chewy texture.

GENERAL NOTES
- see what I posted here about the starter
- as with all sourdough, patience is a virtue since the dough rises slower than with commercial yeast
- I made 2.5 oz rolls and baked them at 400 degrees for 15 mins on a hot baking stone

VEGAN NOTES
- none

Winter Vegetable Mini Pies

When I announced my one month hiatus from ye olde blog, I promised that I would be back with ideas for the upcoming holiday season. So, as promised, here is idea number one. The filling really isn't much of a breakthrough, but the crust definitely is. The pastry recipe comes from Top Chef Just Desserts, appropriately veganized, of course. It is easy (as pie) to roll out, is durable, and bakes up beautifully. The filling is really up to you. I did something very similar to this recipe, but you could easily make it more festive with the addition of some cranberries and roasted chestnuts.

Makes 12
Pastry
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb all purpose flour
- 0.5 oz sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 10.5 oz cold Earth Balance margarine, or vegetable shortening
- 5 oz cold water
- 2 tsp ground flax seed

METHOD
1. Whisk dry ingredients together, then cut margarine into the dry ingredients. Work with your fingers until it resembles coarse bread crumbs.
2. Whisk flax seed into the water, then add to dry ingredients. Work into a soft dough.
3. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

Mini Pies
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups diced turnip
- 1 cup diced parsnip
- 1 cup diced rutabaga
- 2 cups diced potato
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2-3 tbsp white wine (or veg stock)
- 1 tsp sage
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp marjoram
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/3- 1/2 cup soy milk
- salt and pepper to taste

METHOD
1. Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, potato, and carrots. Boil for 5-7 mins, or until softened but not mushy. Rinse with cold water, drain, rinse, and drain. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Saute onions, celery and garlic for 5-7 mins, until translucent. Add 1 tbsp of wine (or stock) and reduce. Repeat twice with remaining wine.
3. Add flour and spices to the pan and mix well. Then slowly add soy milk, mixing well. Add enough to make a gravy that is not too runny. Add cooked veggies, mix well, and season to taste. Set aside to completely cool (or stick it in the fridge).

To Make the Pies
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out twelve 7" circles (I cut around a cereal bowl), re-rolling dough scraps to make more circles. Place about 1/2 cup of filling off centre, brush a little water around half of the circumference, then fold in half. Press dough together along the seam, then press with a fork.
2. Cut two slits in the tops to allow steam to escape, the place on the baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 mins, or until golden brown.

I put half of these in the freezer, unbaked, for later. I will report back how they fared, and the method for thawing and baking.

Tandoori Cauliflower

Aaaaaaannnd, I'm back! Did I get everything done that I wanted to? Nope. But, I got my major project done so that feels pretty good. In my absence I participated in Vegansaurus' project to veganize the wining recipes from Top Chef Just Desserts (just about the hardest thing I have ever had to do in the kitchen), and just tonight I made the Lemon Pies and Salted Caramel Ice Cream for Vegan Mom's birthday. Delicious!

This is a recipe I have been meaning to share since the summer. It is adapted from Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape, which is both a cookbook and a TV show. You can watch the show here, but I will warn you that he comes off as a culturally insensitive clod, and he whines a lot when he goes to southern India and can't eat any meat. The part in the ashram is just downright embarrassing. I used the BBQ and a clay baker to finish off the dish, but you could also put it in the oven at 450.

INGREDIENTS
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup soy yogurt
- 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp tumeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp tandoori spice blend
- salt to taste

- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 onions, cut into rings
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 -2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp tandoori spice blend

METHOD
1. Bring a large pot of water to the boil, then cook cauliflower florets for 2-3 mins, until just tender. Drain and rinse with ice cold water. Leave to drain.
2. While cauliflower is cooking/draining, whisk spices (including the salt) into the yogurt, then toss with the cauliflower in a bowl. If you have time, let this sit for a few hours in the fridge, covered.
3. Heat the BBQ to about 500 degrees and transfer the cauliflower to a clay baker. Cook, uncovered (but with BBQ lid down), for 15-20 mins, or until the cauliflower is tender.
4. While the cauliflower is baking, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat and saute onion rings for 10-12 mins, until a golden brown. Add tomato paste and water and cook for a few mins more, then add spices (add a splash more water if need be). Cook for one min, then put on top of the cauliflower. Garnish with cilantro, if desired, and serve.

A Brief Hiatus

Hey, kids. Vegan Dad here. Just a wee note to tell you that I will be taking a brief hiatus from the blog for the next month. My professional life is extremely busy with three projects on the go right now that need my attention, combined with a full teaching load. I need a few weeks (four, actually) to get everything in order. I will still post links and pics and the like on the Facebook page to keep in contact with you all, but don't expect any new recipes for a while. When I get back I will start gearing up for the holiday season and the New Year with baked goods and savoury dishes aplenty. So, for now, enjoy this pic I snapped at the cottage and I will see you again soon.

Chocolate Cinnamon Babka

In order to pump myself up for veganizing this week's Top Chef: Just Desserts winning dish, I am posting this veganized version of Peter Reinhart's babka recipe. The dish is a real crowd pleaser (at least at the party I went to) and the fancy presentation will make everyone think you are some kind of baking superstar.

INGREDIENTS
Dough
- 2 tbsp instant yeast
- 3/4 cup lukewarm plain soy milk
- 6 tbsp non-hydrogenated margarine
- 6 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 oz soy yogurt
- 15 oz all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt

METHOD
1. Whisk yeast into soy milk and set aside to get foamy.
2. Cream margarine and sugar together in a large bowl, then add vanilla and soy yogurt. Beat vigorously with a whisk for a few minutes until fluffy and able to form peaks.
3. Add flour, salt, and yeast mixture and work into a soft dough. Add flour or soy milk as needed and knead until smooth. Shape into a ball, then let rise in a lightly oiled bowl, covered, until almost doubled in size.

Chocolate Cinnamon Filling
INGREDIENTS
- 9 oz semisweet vegan chocolate chips
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine

METHOD
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly brush paper with oil.
2. Place all ingredients in a small pot and place over low heat. Stir until just melted, then spread as thin as possible over the prepared parchment paper with a pastry scraper. You want about a 10" x 15" rectangle. Place in the fridge to cool down and firm up.

Final Loaf:
1. When the dough is risen, roll out into a 10 x 15 rectangle. Remove chocolate from the fridge, peel off parchment paper, and place on top. Roll tightly lengthwise (let the chocolate warm up a bit to make it easier), then seal.
2. Cut the roll down the middle lengthwise with a pastry scraper, then cross the two pieces over one another to form an X, cut side up. Continue to criss cross in both directions and seal the ends. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spray with oil, and cover.
3. Let the loaf rise until almost doubled in size (1.5 hours or so), then preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 20-25 mins, or until a deep golden brown. Don't overbake or it will dry out. Reinhart suggests an internal temp of 185 degrees.