Spicy, sweet potato fries, chickpeas, and kale in curry-spiced, sesame-ginger gravy

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Lightly spicy, rich and sweet, this is a relatively simple but colorful and flavourful dish.

Ingredients

2 sweet potatoes, about 6″ long, peeled and sliced lengthwise in 1/2″ fries (about 3 cups)
2T tamari
A pinch coarse sea salt
2t sriracha (or similar, or to taste)
1/2 cup millet flour
2 cups cooked chickpeas
2 cups green curly kale, coarsely chopped

For the gravy
1T curry powder (or individual spices if you prefer)
1 scallion, minced
1/2T fresh garlic, minced
2t ginger, grated and minced
2 cups vegetable stock
1/4 cup tomato passata (or puree)
2T sesame seed butter
1T arrowroot powder dissolved in 2T cold water
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Other greens go well in this dish, but will wilt more quickly. The ginger should be slightly more prominent to complement the sesame in this dish. but you can always use your own spice blend in place of curry powder. Freshly ground or popped spices have more flavour. Add some dried chilis with the other dried spices for more heat. I use dried chickpeas that I’ve simmered with kombu usually in a large batch for this type of dish — about 2/3 cup dry will yield 2 cups cooked.

Method

Preheat the oven to 450F or to the highest temperature to which your baking paper is rated. Whisk the tamari, sriracha and salt. Toss the sweet potatoes in the mixture until well coated. Toss them lightly in the millet flour (just a light dusting).

Add the fries to a baking sheet lined with the baking paper in a thin, even layer. Bake for about 35 – 45 minutes (depending on the temperature) until well cooked and lightly crispy, turning periodically to ensure even cooking. Ovens vary; use the texture as a guide.

At about the 15 minute mark, start the gravy. Bring a large pan to heat on medium. Add the curry powder (or your dry spices) to the pan and toast for 2 minutes or until they are nicely aromatic. Add the scallion, garlic and ginger and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the stock, bring the pan to a light simmer, and add the chickpeas.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, add the sesame seed butter and passata and stir until dissolved. Simmer another 5 minutes or so until the fries are ready. Stirring continuously, add the arrowroot mixture slowly until it thickens. Add the kale and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cook another 1-2 minutes stirring frequently, until the kale is nicely wilted and bright green.

When everything is ready, plate the fries, ladle the chickpeas and kale over top, and serve.

Noodles and cabbage sauteed with oyster mushrooms, onions, and garlic

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A simple, syncretic dish, haluški is typically made with a potato pasta (similar to gnocchi) in central and eastern European cuisines. This is a North American version made with soft (gluten free) noodles and cabbage.

Ingredients

For the noodles
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup masa harina
1 cup tapioca flour
2T egg replacer
A pinch sea salt
A pinch turmeric (I use 1/4t)
1 cup boiling water
2 liters water for cooking the noodles with 2t coarse sea salt

For the cabbage
2T plant-only margarine
2T pasta water
4 scallions, minced, 3″ – 4″ green reserved for garnish
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
1 cup oyster mushrooms, coarsely chopped
4 cups shredded green cabbage (I use coleslaw mix)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Replace the black pepper with dried red chili for a spicier dish. Use a tablespoon coconut oil and a little sea salt in place of the margarine if you prefer. A dash of liquid smoke will add some additional flavor to this dish. Scallions add colour to the dish, but vidalia onion will also work (adjust the saute accordingly).

Method

Make the noodles first, then the cabbage. Mix the flours, masa, sea salt and turmeric. Stirring briskly with a fork, slowly pour in the boiling water to mix into a dough. As the dough cool, knead by hand until a smooth elastic dough forms. Roll out on a lightly (tapioca) floured board into a large rectangle about 1/8″ thick or between sheets of plastic wrap.

With a pastry cutter or a knife, cut into 2″ x 3/4″ noodles (or the size you prefer). Traditionally, haluški is scraped off the board with a knife into boiling water, but the noodles in this version are a little sturdier.

In a large pan, bring the water to a boil with the sea salt. Add the noodles and simmer for 3 – 5 minutes, or until the noodles float. Drain carefully, reserving 2 tablespoons pasta water. Rinse gently with cold water. Spread them in thin even layer on a dry, clean cutting board or other surface while you make the cabbage.

While the noodles dry a little, start the cabbage. Bring a large frying pan to heat on medium. Melt the margarine and add the scallions and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the oyster mushrooms and black pepper. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the cabbage and increase heat to medium high. Stir fry the cabbage for 5-8 minutes, until the cabbage is nicely wilted (reduced by about half) but not mushy.

When the cabbage is ready, add the noodles and reserved pasta water. Stir to combine. Cook another 30 seconds or so. Remove from heat. Add the nutritional yeast and stir to combine. Season to taste. Spoon out, garnish with scallion sliced on an angle, and serve.

Fresh pappardelle with chickpeas, maitake mushroom, sun-dried tomatoes and kale

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A simple pasta with a light, but satisfying and flavourful sauce.

Ingredients

For the pasta
1 cup semolina flour
1t tapioca flour
2t cornstarch
1/3 cup + 1T water
2 liters water with 2t coarse sea salt for boiling.

For the sauce
1 cup cooked chickpeas
2T cooking oil
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/4 cup scallion, minced (2-3 scallions)
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/2T dried green herbs (I use herbes de Provence)
1 cup maitake mushrooms, trimmed and broken into 1″ strips
2T sun-dried tomatoes (dehydrated, not jarred) rehydrated in 1/4 cup water
2 cups green curly kale, chopped coarsely
2T nutritional yeast
2T pasta water
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Other mushrooms will work here, but maitake (also known as hen of the woods or signorina mushrooms) have a lovely mild flavour and a soft texture, as well as a good nutritional profile. A little kalamata olive in this dish would also be nice. If you make the chickpeas from dried, about 1/3 cup dried will yield 1 cup cooked. Replace the pappardelle with fettuccine, linguini or spaghetti if you prefer. Replace the kale with small broccoli florets, flat leaf parsley, spinach, or other greens — just be sure to adjust the cooking time and the amount to your taste.

Method

Start the tomatoes, then the pasta, and then the sauce.

Bring 1/4 cup water to a boil and reconstitute the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl. Mix the semolina flour, the tapioca flour and the cornstarch. Add the water and mix until a smooth elastic dough forms. Knead for another 2 minutes. Let the dough rest, covered with a warm moist tea towel in the mixing bowl for about 15 minutes.

When the dough is ready, roll out on a lightly floured board to a large rectangle about 1/8″ thick. Cut the pappardelle in long strips (10″ – 12″ by 1/2″), preferably with a pastry cutter. Let the strips dry on the cutting board while you make the sauce.

Bring a large frying pan with a lid to heat on medium high. Add the oil and sea salt. Add the scallions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and green herbs. Saute for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add the chickpeas, the sun-dried tomatoes and their water. Deglaze the pan. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the pasta is ready.

Bring the 2 liters water to a boil. Add the salt. Add the pasta. Swirl the pan to separate the pasta. Boil lightly until for 2- 3 or until the pasta is done (it will float). Drain gently, reserving about 2 tablespoons of water for the sauce. Add the water the sauce and stir to combine. Rinse the pappardelle with cold water and set aside to finish the sauce.

Add the kale and stir to combine for about a minute or two until the kale is nicely wilted but still a vibrant green. Remove from heat. Add the nutritional yeast and stir to combine. Season the sauce to taste. Plate the pasta, add the sauce and serve. Garnish with additional nutritional yeast if you like.

Tempeh, coconut milk stroganoff with red sweet potatoes

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A simple, lovely dish with mushrooms, cabbage, and kale.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/4t black pepper
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 ‘spring’ dried kombu (about 1″)
2T tomato passata (or puree)
2T white pickling vinegar
1T prepared brown mustard
2T coconut sugar
2T smoked paprika
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/4 cup scallions, minced (3″ – 4″ green reserved for garnish)
125g tempeh, cut into 1/2″ cubes
2 cups cremini mushrooms, stemmed, 1/4″ slices
2 cups red sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into about 1″ cubes
2 cups shredded green cabbage (I use coleslaw mix)
1T arrowroot powder dissolved in 1T water
1 cup green curly kale
2T nutritional yeast
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Replace the 125g tempeh with 250g tofu if you prefer, but in that case, reduce the coconut sugar to 1T (or leave it out entirely if you prefer). Flour and brown the tempeh cubes separately and then add them to the overall mix for something more traditional.

Method

Preheat the oven to 450F. Mix everything up to and including the scallions in a medium bowl. Let stand about 5 minutes. In a roasting pan or a baking sheet with sides, add the tempeh and potatoes, then the mushrooms, then the cabbage on top in even layers.

Pour the sauce mixture over the vegetables. Roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Stir periodically to ensure even cooking. Ovens vary; use the colour and texture as a guide. The pan should be a rich, reddish brown, and the sweet potatoes should be tender. If the pan dries before the potatoes are tender, add a little water or stock as necessary.

When the potatoes are tender, remove the kombu. Drizzle the arrowroot mixture over the vegetables and stir to distribute. Roast for another 5 minutes or so until the arrowroot has thickened.

Remove from the oven. Stir in the kale and nutritional yeast. Let stand 5 minutes. Season to taste. Spoon out, garnish with scallion green sliced on an angle, and serve.

Freeform lasagna

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This is a simple, no bake version (closer perhaps to fazzoletti) with cashew butter, tofu, and spinach layered between handmade, gluten free noodles with a red wine, tomato herb sauce. This makes enough for 4 smaller plates, 2 larger ones (see the notes on portioning).

Ingredients

For the pasta
3T brown rice flour
5T masa harina
1/2 cup tapioca starch
A pinch coarse sea salt
1T plant-only egg replacer
1/2 cup heaping boiling water
2 liters boiling water and 2t coarse sea salt for boiling

For the filling
225g extra firm, high quality tofu
1T white miso
1/4 cup loose unpasteurized sauerkraut
1/4 cup unpasteurized sauerkraut vinegar
1/2T fresh garlic, minced
1/4t coarse sea salt
1T cashew butter
2T unsweetened plant milk (I use soy)
1t milled flax seed
1T white pickling vinegar
1/2t dried basil, rubbed
1/4t dried oregano, rubbed
1/4t dried thyme, rubbed
1/4t dried marjoram, rubbed
1/4t dried rosemary, rubbed
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
1/4 cup fresh scallion, minced
2 cups packed baby spinach
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

For the sauce
2T dry red wine (1)
1/2t dried basil, rubbed
1/4t dried oregano, rubbed
1 scallion, minced (3″ – 4″ green reserved for garnish)
1/2T fresh garlic, minced
1/4t dried red chilis (or to taste)
1 1/2 cups tomato passata (or puree)
2T pasta water
1T kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
1/2T arrowroot flour dissolved in 1T cold water
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste
Additional nutritional yeast for garnish

Optional: For a gluten version, use 1 cup semolina flour, 1/3 cup heaping warm water and let it rest at least 15 minutes under a warm, wet tea towel. Use 1/2T fine herb or Italian herb mix if you prefer to keep it simple. Finish the tomato sauce with 1T olive oil just before the arrowroot for a richer flavour and mouthfeel. Adjust the filling and sauce accordingly for the number of portions — a little thinner for 4″ x 4″ sheets, a little thicker for 3″ x 3″ sheets. Press your tofu ahead of time if necessary.

Method

Start the filling, then start the pasta and make the sauce.

Add the remaining ingredients up to and including the black pepper to a small bowl. Puree until mostly smooth but still lightly textured. Add the scallions and stir to combine. Cover loosely and let stand on the counter top for a couple of hours.

At the 2 hour mark, start the pasta. Whisk together the dry ingredients until well combined. Whisking, pour in the boiling water. Mix until a dough begins to form. When the dough cools enough, knead until a smooth elastic dough forms. Let rest for at least 5 minutes.

While the pasta dough rests, complete the filling. Preheat the oven to 450F. Add the spinach in an even layer to a baking sheet or a roasting pan. Roast for about 10 minutes or so until the spinach has wilted and is starting to dry.

Next, start the sauce. Warm a small sauce pan on medium heat and add the dry herbs, garlic, scallions and wine. Stir fry for 2 -3 minutes on medium heat.

Reduce heat to medium low and let the wine reduce until the pan is starting to dry. Add the passata, pasta water, and olives. Stir to combine. Bring the pan to a light simmer and simmer very lightly uncovered until everything is ready to assemble.

With the sauce started, on a floured board, roll the dough out to a large rectangle. Note, if you will be making this as an appetizer for 4, roll out the dough and trim the sides and ends to a 9″ x 15″ rectangle, about 1/8″ thick. Cut into (12) 3″ x 3″ squares. For 2, roll out and trim to an 8″ x 16″ rectangle about 1/8″ thick (give or take). Cut into (8) 4″ x 4″ squares. I use a pastry cutter, but a knife will do.

In a large pan, bring the 2 liters water and sea salt to a boil. Add the pasta and swirl the pan gently. Simmer until the pasta floats. Don’t overcook. Drain carefully (reserving 2T water for the sauce). Rinse thoroughly but gently with cold water. Lay the sheets out on a clean, dry cutting board and let dry for a few minutes (but not so long it starts to stick).

With the pasta cooked, warm the filling on low heat in a small sauce pan. Remove from heat and set aside. I skip this step and eat the filling at room temperature (for the miso and sauerkraut). When the spinach is done, remove from heat and let stand a few minutes to cool. Chop the spinach and add to the filling. Add the nutritional yeast. Stir to combine and set aside until everything is ready.

Next, finish the sauce. Stirring continuously, add the arrowroot mixture until thickened (should be immediate). Remove from heat. Season the filling and the sauce to taste. Return the pasta to a colander and rinse with hot water.

To plate, start with a sheet of pasta. Working quickly, add the filling in an even layer. Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of sauce. Add another sheet of pasta, more filling, and more sauce. Top the last sheet of pasta with sauce. Repeat for each portion. Garnish with minced scallion and additional nutritional yeast if you like and serve.

  1. Note, many wines are still filtered using animal products.

Garlic and herb gnocchi with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes

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A rich but simple potato pasta, paired up with traditional vegetables, kalamata olives, and a light red sauce. This makes a smaller appetizer size for 4 or a larger bowl for 2.

Ingredients

For the gnocchi
1 large floury potato (about 2 cups, mashed — I use organic russets)
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/2T herbes de Provence (or similar)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
Up to 1/2 cup tapioca flour (see the note below)
1/3 cup brown rice flour
Coarse sea salt to taste
2 liters water with 2t coarse sea salt for boiling

For the sauce
2T pasta water
3 scallions, finely chopped
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/2T herbes de Provence (or similar)
16 asparagus stalks, bottoms broken off, cut into 1″ segments
1 cup artichoke hearts (don’t use jarred)
2T sun-dried tomatoes rehydrated in 1/4 cup boiling water (don’t use jarred)
1/2T lemon juice
1 cup tomato passata (or puree)
2T nutritional yeast
1/2T kalamata olives per bowl, pitted and sliced
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Typically, you would peel the potato once it has cooled, but I leave it on and blend it in. A lot of the fiber and other nutrients are in the skin. Add a little nutmeg for something more traditional. Add some fresh basil for additional colour and flavour. Finish the sauce with 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a richer mouth feel and flavour.

Method

First, start the gnocchi, then make the sauce. Boil the potato unpeeled in enough water to cover for about 30 minutes. Drain and chill uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

When the potato has cooled and you’re ready to start the gnocchi, add the boiling water to the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and set aside. Puree smooth. Add the garlic, herbs, and nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup tapioca, and the brown rice flour. Mix thoroughly and let stand about 15 minutes. Add more tapioca as necessary until a soft dough forms. Add salt to taste.

If you find your dough doesn’t come together is too moist, add more tapioca flour 1 tablespoon at a time. But start with 1/4 cup. If it’s too dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time. If you’re unsure whether the dough is right, test one piece and see what the resulting texture is like before committing.

When the dough is ready, roll out gently into lines about 1/2″ in diameter and cut into 1″ segments. You can also roll about 1T pinches of dough as dumplings if you prefer. Lines are more traditional. Decorate each gnocchi with a gentle fork press (striation helps to hold the sauce with the pasta).

In a large pan, bring the 2 liters water and salt to a light boil on high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add the gnocchi and swirl the pan to avoid sticking. Simmer the gnocchi until they float. Don’t overcook.

Drain carefully, reserving 2T water for the sauce. Rinse gently but thoroughly with cold water. Turn then out onto a clean, dry cutting board and let them dry a little while you make the sauce.

Warm a large frying pan on medium high heat. Add the water, scallions and sea salt. Water saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and herbs. Saute for 1 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute for 4 – 5 minutes. Add the artichoke hearts and saute for 2 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes (including the soaking water) and the lemon juice. Deglaze the pan.

Add the tomato passata. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for another 3 minutes. Add the gnocchi to the pan and toss to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes, remove from heat and toss with the nutritional yeast.

Let stand a minute or so to cool. Season to taste. To plate, spoon out and garnish with olives and more nutritional yeast if you like, and serve.

Curry-spiced potatoes, cabbage and poblano peppers with lightly breaded tofu

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This is a rich, comforting dish, simmered in stock and curry spices, stir fried with lightly breaded tofu, then finished with sesame cream, diced tomato, and scallions,

Ingredients

For the potatoes
1T curry powder
1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped, 3″ – 4″ green reserved for garnish
1/2T fresh garlic, minced
1/2t fresh ginger, grated and minced
2 cups shredded green cabbage (I use coleslaw mix)
1 poblano pepper, cored and seeded, 1/4″ dice
1/4t coarse sea salt
1 1/2 cups white grelot potatoes, quartered (or similar)
1 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk (I use soy)
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

For the tofu
225g extra firm, high quality tofu, 1/3″ cubes
1T corn starch
1/4t coarse sea salt
A good pinch black pepper, freshly cracked

For the garnish
1/2T sesame seed butter
1/2t lemon juice
1T cold water
A pinch sea salt
1/4 cup tomato, seeded cored, 1/4″ dice (roma preferred, but any red should do)
Scallion green sliced on an angle

Optional: Use freshly ground/popped spices in place of the curry powder if you prefer. Add colour with some diced red pepper. Add colour and some additional heat with a little sriracha. Press your tofu ahead of time if necessary. Add some dried kombu to the stock if you like. Fry the tofu instead of baking and add on top at the end and/or use wheat flour for the tofu if you prefer, but the breading mostly serves the purpose of providing cling for the sauce.

Method

Preheat the oven to 400F. Warm a large frying pan with a lid on medium heat. Add the curry powder and toast for 1 minute. Add the scallions, garlic and ginger. Saute for 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium high. Add the cabbage, poblano pepper, and sea salt. Saute for 3 minutes.

Add the potatoes and stir to combine. Saute another minute or so. Add the vegetable stock and deglaze the pan (if necessary). Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the the stock has been absorbed/reduced and the potatoes are fork tender.

Mix the cornstarch, black pepper and sea salt for the tofu. Toss the tofu in the mixture until well coated. Add a little unsweetened soy milk if you find the cornstarch mixture won’t cling.

On a baking sheet or roasting pan, bake the tofu for 15 minutes, turning periodically to ensure even crisping. Remove from the oven and set aside if necessary until the potatoes are done.

When the potatoes are ready, uncover the pan and increase the heat to medium high. Add the tofu and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup soy milk and stir to combine. Saute another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Whisk together the sesame seed butter, lemon juice, water, and sea salt until smooth and creamy. Add water 1/2 teaspoon at a time to get the right texture if you need to. Spoon out the potatoes and tofu. Drip the sesame cream over the mixture. Garnish with tomato and scallion, and serve.

Tacos with spicy tempeh, white miso sauce and baby greens

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Soft, hand rolled corn tortillas, warm spicy tempeh and lime accented greens make this a lovely and flavourful dish. Fresh tortillas are terrific and when you make them from scratch, you control all of the ingredients. Be sure to use masa harina rather than regular corn flour
for this recipe. This makes eight small tacos.

Ingredients

For the tempeh
1T cooking oil
1T fresh garlic, minced
1T red Thai chili paste (or similar and/or to taste)
250g tempeh, crumbled (use pasteurized)
1/4 cup tamari (or to taste)
1 cup vegetable stock
1/4t coarse sea salt

For the tortillas
1 1/2 cups masa harina
1/2T ground flax seed
1/2t coarse sea salt
1 cup hot water

For the white sauce
1 cup unsweetened plant milk (I use soy)
1/4t coarse sea salt
1T white vinegar
1T sesame seed butter
1T white miso
2T tapioca flour dissolved in 2T cold water
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

For the greens
1T olive oil
1t lime juice
1/4t coarse sea salt
1T nutritional yeast
1 cup loose baby kale
1 cup loose baby spinach

For the garnish
1/2 cup passata (or tomato puree)
1/2t red Thai chili paste (or similar and/or to taste)
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste.
2T nutritional yeast

Method

First, start the tempeh, then the tortillas, the white sauce, the greens and the garnish.

In a frying pan with a lid, bring the oil and sea salt to heat on medium high. Add the garlic and chili and fry for 2 minutes. Add the tempeh and fry for 3-5 minutes. Add the tamari and deglaze the pan.
Add the stock, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.

While the tempeh simmers, make the tortillas. Mix the dry ingredients and add the water. Stir to form a smooth, pliable dough, neither too dry nor moist. If the dough is too wet, add more masa 1T at at time; if too dry, add water 1T at a time. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts, and flatten each into a 2-3″ round disk. Cover the dough with a damp cloth while you press the tortillas.

Heat a frying pan on medium high heat. If you have a tortilla press, follow the instructions provided.
If you don’t, roll the tortillas out gently between two sheets of plastic wrap into rough circles about 1/8″ thick, about 5-6″ in diameter. It’s the peeling of the tortilla that’s of the most difficult part — go slowly. Carefully peel and add the tortilla and cook until the top of the tortilla is start to look dry. Flip and cook the other side (it should be about 1 minute each side, a little more on the first, a little less on the second).Little brown spots make a tortilla look lovely. Repeat for the remaining 7 tortillas and cover with a warm, very lightly damp tea towel.

Let the tortillas rest for about 20 minutes to cool and soften until you’re ready to use. The tortillas will keep, but you’ll likely have to steam them to use them later. At the 40 minute mark, preheat the oven to 450F. In a shallow pan with sides, bake the tempeh for another 20 minutes or until the moisture has been absorbed the tempeh has started to brown. Ovens vary; use the colour as your guide. Don’t overcook.

Start the white sauce and broil the tempeh for another 5 minutes. In a small sauce pan, bring the soy milk to a simmer. Add the sea salt, miso, sesame seed butter and vinegar. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes uncovered. Slowly add the tapioca solution stirring continuously until it thickens.
Remove from heat and season to taste. Remove the tempeh from the oven. Let the white sauce and the tempeh cool for a few minutes.

While they cool, whisk the dressing for the greens and toss. Whisk the ingredients for the garnish.
To assemble, fill each tortilla with 3-4T tempeh, 2T white sauce, 1/4 cup greens and then about 2t passata mixture. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and serve.

Black lentil mezzaluna in a sesame white sauce with oyster mushrooms and kale

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Similar to pierogi, mezzaluna are a lovely and decorative pasta, filled here with a lightly spicy combination of black beluga lentils, poblano peppers and Brussels sprouts, served in and a rich sauce of white miso, sesame seed butter and oyster mushrooms. This makes an appetizer portion for 4 or large plate for 2.

Ingredients

For the filling
1/4 cups black lentils
2/3 cups water
1 ‘sprig’ dried kombu (about 1/2″)
1T cooking oil
1/4t coarse sea salt
1 scallion, minced (3″ – 4″ green reserved for garnish)
1/4 cup poblano pepper, chopped finely
2 Brussels sprouts (about 1/4 cup scant), minced (or green cabbage)
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste
For the dough
1 cup semolina flour
A pinch sea salt
1/3 cup water
1t olive oil
2 liters water and 2t coarse sea salt for boiling
For the sauce
1T cooking oil
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/2t dried basil, rubbed
1/4t dried oregano, rubbed
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/4 cup oyster mushroom, wiped and finely chopped
1/2T lemon juice
1 cup unsweetened plant milk
1T sesame seed butter (I use a fairly traded brand)
1 cup green curly kale, finely chopped
1T arrowroot flour dissolved in 1T cold water
1/2T white miso
2T nutritional yeast
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Replace the Brussel sprouts with sun-dried tomatoes for something slightly more flavourful.

Method

Start the filling first, then the pasta, then the sauce. In a small pan with a lid, bring the water to a boil. Add the lentils. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the lentils are tender. When the lentils are done, remove the kombu, rinse the lentils and set aside.

While the lentils simmer, make the pasta dough. Mix the flour and salt. Mix the water and oil. Mix the wet and the dry. The dough may seem too dry initially. Keep mixing, and then knead until as a smooth elastic dough forms, and then another 2-3 minutes. Cover with a warm wet tea towel and set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.

When the lentils are ready, in a medium frying pan, bring the oil to eat on medium high. Add the cooking oil and sea salt. Add the scallion. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the pepper and Brussels sprouts and saute for 5 minutes. Add the lentils and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Set aside covered to cool.

Roll out the dough on a floured board in a large rectangle about 1/10″ thin. Cut small circles about 2 1/2″ round. Bunch up leftover dough, roll out and cut. Repeat until all of the dough has been used. Aim for 16 circles.

When the dough has been cut, add a heaping tablespoon of filling to each in an oblong shape in the middle. Carefully pinch closed, starting with the top, one side, and then the other. Squeeze out any excess air. Crimp both sides of the seam with a fork. Let sit to dry lightly while you make the sauce.

In a large pan with a lid, bring the cooking oil and sea salt to heat with the sea salt on medium high. Add the green herbs and saute for 1 minute. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the oyster mushrooms and saute for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice and deglaze the pan. Add the soy milk. Bring the pan to a light simmer. Add the sesame seed butter and stir to dissolve. Simmer lightly, stirring occasionally while you finish the pasta.

In a large pot, bring the 2 liters water to a boil with the sea salt. Add the mezzaluna carefully to the water and boil lightly until they float (should be 3-5 minutes). They’ll float when done. Don’t overcook. Drain them carefully in a colander, reserving 2T of the pasta water. Rinse the pasta gently with cool water.

Add the pasta water and the kale to the sauce and stir to combine. Simmer another 2 minutes. Stirring continuously, add the arrowroot mixture until it thickens. Remove from heat. Add the white miso and stir until dissolved. Rinse the mezzaluna with hot water, drain and add them to the sauce. Stir gently to coat. Let stand 2-3 minutes to cool. Season to taste.

When lightly cooled, plate the mezzaluna and pour sauce over them. Add the scallion greens sliced on an angle. Dust with nutritional yeast, and serve.

Pepper, tomato and onion stew (lecsó) with black lentils and kale

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Inspired by lecscó, my version adds a little nuance with the poblano pepper and rounds the dish out with some kale and black lentils. Shown here with freshly made spätzle (gluten free, plant-only) dusted with nutritional yeast, but fresh bread, roasted or mashed potatoes, rice or similar accompaniments should all go well.

Ingredients

1/3 cup black beluga lentils
3/4 cup water
1 ‘sprig’ dried kombu (about 1/2″)
4 scallions, minced (about 1/2 cup)
1/4t coarse sea salt
1 cup red peppers, cored, seeded, 1/3″ dice
1 cup Hungarian peppers, cored, seeded, 1/3″ dice
3/4 cup poblano peppers, cored, seeded, 1/3″ dice
1/2T smoked paprika
1/2T coconut sugar (or a little maple syrup)
1/2T lemon juice
1 cup tomato passata (or puree)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
2 cups green curly kale, stemmed and chopped
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: There are a number of regional variations for lecsó, but tomatoes, onions, and peppers form a common base. Use some fresh tomatoes, slice the peppers and onions in strips rather than dice and use green pepper rather than poblano for a more traditional version. If you do, saute the onions first, add the paprika and sugar and then the rest of the peppers. Lecsó is often stewed. You ca make this dish in a slow cooker if you prefer (just be careful not to overcook the peppers). A tablespoon of cooking oil will also add some richesse to this dish.

Method

Bring the water to a boil in a small pan with a lid. Add the lentils and kombu. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove the kombu and set the lentils aside to cool for 5 minutes, covered.

With the lentils underway, bring a large frying pan to heat on medium high. Add the peppers, scallions and sea salt. Stirfry for 3-5 minutes, or until the peppers are starting to wilt. Reduce heat to medium. Add the paprika and coconut sugar. Saute for 3-5 minutes.

When the pan starts to brown, add the lemon juice and deglaze. Add the passata and stock, and return to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 20 minutes uncovered or until the passata has been reduced by about 1/3, stirring periodically (but gently).

When ready, add the kale and black lentils. Stir to combine. Let stand 2-3 minutes to cool and to wilt the kale. Season to taste and serve.