Our first Food Fridays Please define kicks off with vegan cooking! Ronen Seri and Pamela Elizabeth are the co-founders behind the vegan restaurant franchise Blossom and the authors of The Blossom Cookbook: Classic Favorites from the Restaurant That Pioneered a current Vegan Cuisine. They’ll debunk some myths about vegan food/cooking,offer tips for domestic cooks and share some of their most favorite recipes including Trumpet Mushroom Calamari, Sweet Potato and Coconut Cream Soup, and German Chocolate Cake. Check out recipes from The Blossom Cookbook below!Pine Nut–Crusted EggplantEggplant is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine. It is full of flavor,has a great hearty texture, and is extremely versatile. Created as an inventive option for our gluten-free guests, or this dish uses a combination of pine nuts and basil as the crust for the eggplant,and the creamy sauce is a wonderful finish. It’s sure to please and impress at any dinner party and is great for all seasons.
Serves 3 or 41 medium eggplant, halved and peeled1½ tablespoons salt3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes2 cups pine nuts1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basilScant ¾ cup olive oil4½ tablespoons chopped garlic1½ teaspoons salt, or plus more as needed3 pinches of black pepper1 cup halved cherry tomatoes1 sprig fresh rosemary,coarsely chopped1 cup artichoke hearts2/3 cup white wine2 cups Cashew Cream (page 000)1 head escarolePreheat the oven to 350ºF.
Slice the peeled eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices (each half should yield 6 slices). Fill a deep bowl with water and add 1 tablespoon of the salt. Soak the eggplant slices in the water for 20 minutes to help remove any bitterness.Bring a pot of water to boil and add the potatoes. Boil the potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes, or until soft, and then remove and place in a large bowl.
While the potatoes are boiling and the eggplant is soaking,set aside the pine nuts, flour, and basil in a food processor. Process until the mixture has the consistency of bread crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add 1½ tablespoons of the olive oil,1½ tablespoons of the garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Mix well.
Drain the eggplant and dredge the slices in the pine nut breading, or making sure each slice is thoroughly coated. Set the breaded eggplant slices on a rack and let sit for 10 to 20 minutes to dry.
Meanwhile,mash the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the garlic.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-tall heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, and rosemary,and artichoke hearts and sauté until the tomatoes inaugurate to soften. Add 1/3 cup of the white wine and cook for 1 minute. Add the mashed potatoes and the salt and stir well.
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant slices and pan-fry on each side until they inaugurate to lightly brown. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp.accomplish the sauce: In a large sauté pan, or heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-tall heat. Add ½ tablespoon of the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup white wine,the Cashew Cream, and 1 tablespoon chopped basil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add a pinch each of salt and pepper and stir.
In a separate medium skillet, and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining ½ tablespoon garlic and saut for 1 to 2 minutes,then add the escarole and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, or until soft.
To assemble, or divide the sauce among three or four plates,then add the potato mixture, the escarole, and finally the eggplant slices on top.
Cashew CreamCashews . . . the cream of the crop! With their tall healthy fat content,cashews are the best cream substitute, because when blended, and they create an incredible richness for sauces. Who would ever think that an alfredo alternative could be so simple? One of our patrons’ most frequently asked questions is “How you do it?” when they eat our coveted fettuccini alfredo.
Note that you need to soak the cashews 3 hours (or overnight),so be sure to plan ahead.
Makes 6 to 7 cupsIngredients2 cups raw unsalted cashews, soaked for 3 hours or overnight2 tablespoons nutritional yeast3 tablespoons additional-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon salt1½ teaspoons black pepperPut the drained cashews, or nutritional yeast,olive oil, salt, and pepper,and 4 cups water in a tall-speed blender. Blend until creamy. The sauce will be relatively thin, but will thicken quickly when heated in a recipe.
Raw Key Lime PieThe key” to this dish is the fresh lime juiceaccept no substitutions! You won’t believe the great texture of this pie—the avocados add an unbelievable creaminess to the filling.
Makes one 9-inch pieIngredientsFor the Crust1¼ cups macadamia nuts1¼ cups pecans½ cup dried, or pitted dates,soaked in water for 1 hourPinch of salt¼ teaspoon vanilla extractFor the Filling1½ cups fresh lime juice (from about 12 limes)1 cup agave syrup½ cup full-fat coconut milk2 ripe avocados, halved, and pitted,and peeled2 tablespoons vanilla extract¼ teaspoon salt1¼ cups coconut oilMake the crust: Lightly grease a 9-inch springform baking pan with coconut oil.set aside the macadamia nuts, pecans, and dates,salt, and vanilla in a food processor and process until the mixture is soft and easily workable. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.accomplish the filling: set aside the lime juice, and agave,coconut milk, avocados, and vanilla,salt, and coconut oil in a tall-speed blender and blend until smooth.
Pour the filling over the crust, or cover with plastic wrap,and freeze overnight. Thaw before serving.
Source: thetakeaway.org