Day 359 Sweet Potato Rolls

Sweet Potato Rolls

1 Large Sweet Potato, peeled and chopped
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Package Active Dry Yeast
6 - 7 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
1 Cup Soy Milk
Equivalent 2 Eggs*
1 Tablespoon Safflower Oil

*2 Tablespoons Ground Flaxseeds, 2 Teapoons Potato Starch, 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder, 2 Tablespoons Oil, 6 Tablespoons Water mixed together

1.  Boil sweet potatoes in water until tender, about 15 minutes.  Drain, reserving 1 Cup of cooking liquid.  Cool to lukewarm.

Mashed sweet potato

2.  Mash potatoes, stir in 2 tablespoons of sugar.  Set aside.

3.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, add yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, and reserved liquid.  Make sure the liquid has cooled to warm or it will kill the yeast. Let stand 10 minutes.

Risen dough

4.  Using a dough hook, begin mixing at a medium speed.  Add 6 cups flour, salt, milk and eggs.  Alternately adding the dry and wet ingredients.  Add the sweet potatoes.  Add additional flour until the dough is not too sticky. Grease the dough in the bowl and let stand in a warm place for 1 hour.

log to cut into rolls

5.  Punch dough down and turn out on a floured surface.  Roll the dough into a large log.  Cut the dough into rolls and place on a baking sheet lined with  parchment paper.

Rolls ready to rise.  I rise my breads in a warming oven set on proof

6. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Cook at 400 F for 15 - 20 minutes.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

Goes well with Jambalaya

Soundtrack David Lanz - Christmas Eve

Day 358 Easy Jambalaya

Easy Jambalaya

1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 Tablespoon Oil
4 Italian Unsausages (Day 357)
4 Cups Beyond Chicken, chopped
3 Cups Uncooked Brown Rice
24 Ounces Creamy Mushroom Soup
32 Ounces Veggie Broth
2 - 4 Cups Water
3 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
3 Tablespoons Spice Mix (Day 356)

This makes a lot, use a very large pan.

1. Saute onions and pepper in hot oil in a large pan for 5 minutes.  Stir in sausage, chicken, rice, soup and broth.

2.  Cook on the stove top, covered for 40 minutes.  Check after 20 minutes and stir well.  Add water as needed.  Cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes and adding water as needed.

3.  Uncover and continue cooking on the stove top until all the water is absorbed.  Add water if neccessary to keep from sticking.

Pairs well with 2012 Maggie Malick Meritage

Soundtrack Jimmy Buffet- Tis the Season

Day 357 Italian Unsausages

Italian Unsausages

1/2 Cup Bulgar Wheat
1 1/2 Cups Boiling Water
1/2 Cup Sundried Tomatoes, minced (not packed in oil)
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
2 Cups Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Garlic, minced
1/4 Cup Water
1/4 Tomato Paste
3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Miso
2 Tablespoons Smooth Peanut Butter
1 1/2 Teaspoons Fennel Seeds
1 1/2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
1 Tablespoon Spice Mix (Day 356)
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Marjoram
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
1 1/2 Cups Vital Wheat Gluten

1.  Put the bulgar wheat and sundried tomatoes in a bowl and pour the water over.  Let soak for 15 minutes.

2.  Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic.  Saute until fairly tender.  Turn off the heat and add the water, tomato paste, soy sauce, miso, and peanut butter.  Mix well.  Use an immersion blender to roughly puree the mixture.  Put in a large bowl.

3.  Add the bulgar wheat and tomato mix to the puree.  Add the spices and and mix.  Add the vital wheat gluten and mix well. Roll the mixture into 12 sausages about 4 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.  Wrap each log in aluminum foil.

Ready to steam

4.  Place the logs in a steamer and steam for about 1 hour.  They will be very soft at first, but will firm up as they cool.  Store in the refrigerator for one week.

Goes well in Jambalaya

Soundtrack Winter Solstice - Musique pour Etudier: Musique Instramentale

Day 356 Spice Mix

Spice Mix

3 Tablespoons Rubbed or Fresh Sage
1 Tablespoon Ground Rainbow Pepper
1 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Ground Fenugeek
1 Tablespoon Allspice
1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
1 Teaspoon Dried Tarragon, crushed

Mix all the spices together and store in a jar.  This mix is good for making mock meats, pot pies, and stews.

Soundtrack Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas Celebration

Day 266 Tomato and Mushroom Pizza

Tomato and Mushroom Pizza

1 Package Dry Yeast
1 Cup Warm Water
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar
2 Tablespoons Safflower Oil
2 1/2 - 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Pesto
2 Tablespoons Red Wine
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
1 Cup Mushrooms, sliced
1/4 Cup Nicoise Olives
1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds
2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast

1.  Preheat the oven with a pizza stone at 450 F for 1 hour.

2.  Add water to yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Add the salt, agave nectar and oil.  With the motor running, add the flour a 1/2 cup at time.  Knead until a sturdy dough is formed. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes in a covered bowl in a warm place.

3.  Mix the tomato paste, wine and pesto in a small bowl.  If the sauce is too thick, use some of the juice from the canned tomatoes to thin the sauce.

4.  Using you hands, spread the dough out on a floured surface.  Place the dough on a pizza peel with a piece of parchment paper on top.

5.  Spread the sauce evenly on the dough.  Drain the tomatoes and spread over the surface of the sauced dough.  Layer the mushrooms, olives and almonds on top of the pizza.  Sprinkle the nutritional yeast on top. Bake on the stone for 20 -30 minutes until the crust is brown.  Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Pairs well with Cave de Die Jaillance Sparkling Muscat

Soundtrack Spotify's Peaceful Piano Playlist

Day 355 Orange Sweet Potatoes

Orange Sweet Potatoes

5 Sweet Potatoes
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Potato Starch
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
Rind of 2 Oranges, grated
2 Cups Orange Juice
1/3 Cup Sherry
1/4 Cup Earth Balance

Orange to juice

1. Bake or microwave sweet potatoes until soft. Peel and slice.  Arrange slices in a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.

Layered sweet potatoes

2. Combine sugar, starch, salt and rind in a heavy saucepan.  Add orange juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.  Reduce heat to low and add Earth Balance. Cook until Earth Balance melts. Remove from heat and add sherry.

Orange sauce

3. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes.

Pairs well with 2015 Maggie Malick Petite Manseng

Goes well with cauliflower casserole and red pepper broccoli.

Soundtrack Bing Crosby - White Christmas Album

Day 354 Cauliflower Casserole

Cauliflower Casserole

1 Head Cauliflower, cut into flowerets
11 Ounces Creamy Mushroom Soup
8 Ounces Vegan Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Earth Balance, melted
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs
Pepper to taste
1/4 Cup Pistachios, ground

Cooked cauliflower

1.  Cook cauliflower in water about 10 minutes or until crisp tender.  Drain well and place in greased oven proof dish.

casserole sauce

2.  Combine soup, sour cream, breadcrumbs and pepper. Mix well. Pour over cauliflower.

Pistachio topping

3.  Combine melted Earth Balance and pistachios.  Sprinkle over the casserole.  Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes until bubbly.

Goes well with rice and lentils and asparagus artichoke casserole.

Soundtrack Brett Eldredge - Glow