COFFEE COFFEE CAKE, A QUIET CHRISTMAS DINNER, AND A "BOXING DAY" SOUP

Coffee Coffee Cake (recipe below), the traditional Christmas breakfast cake in my family.


Christmas dinner this year, due to the weather, was for just my friend Holly, DH and me-- here is a rather messy-looking (and quickly-devoured!) plateful of our dinner: my homemade seitan "ham", "ham" gravy, mashed potatoes, stir-fried Brussels sprouts with dill and lemon, and the sweetest roasted sweet potatoes ever (no extra sweetening!). We also had corn biscuits, which are good with the gravy. I didn't bother to make a dessert-- we just had more Coffee Coffee Cake with our tea!

Because our family get-together, which is usually today, on what we call "Boxing Day" here in Canada, is delayed until early next week due to the weather conditions, I'm blogging! Here is a soup I made for lunch-- very delicious! (Sorry about the blurry photo!)



Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S VEGAN CREME OF ARTICHOKE AND MUSHROOM SOUP WITH PESTO
Servings: 4

An easy and delicious soup utilizing some of my favorite ingredients.

2 tablespoon Earth Balance or olive oil
1 1/2 cups fresh crimini or white mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons white unbleached flour
6 cups nondairy milk (I used soy)
2 tablespoons Superior Touch Better Than Bouillon No-Chicken Soup Base
(OR enough good-tasting vegetarian chicken-style bouillon cubes or powder for 6 cups liquid)
2/ 14 oz. cans artichokes hearts in water, well-drained and chopped
(OR use two 9 oz. pckgs. frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, drained and chopped)
2 tablespoons non-dairy basil pesto (such as Sunflower Kitchen brand )
salt and finely-chopped black pepper to taste
a little more pesto to swirl on top for a garnish

Melt the Earth Balance or heat the olive oil in a 2 quart pot. Add the mushrooms and onion and stir-cook over medium-high heat until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in flour and stir-cook for 1 minute.

Vigorously stir in the nondairy milk and bouillon and let it come to a boil, stirring. Cook 1 minute, stirring consistently. Add the artichokes, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Stir in the Pesto and taste for seasoning. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 285.1 calories; 27% calories from fat; 9.0g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 3578.0mg sodium; 1272.9mg potassium; 44.1g carbohydrates; 12.9g fiber; 14.5g sugar; 31.2g net carbs; 22.3g protein; 5.6 points.



Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S VEGAN COFFEE COFFEE CAKE
Servings: 8
Yield: One 9" cake

This is a veganized version of a not-too-sweet coffee-flavored coffee cake that I make for every Christmas breakfast (I have done so for at least 30 years, and my oldest daughter carries on with the tradition, too). It's delicious!

BATTER:
Mixture A:
1/2 cup (4 oz.) medium-firm regular tofu (or firm silken tofu)
1 tablespoon Ener-G or Orgran egg replacer powder
1/3 cup Earth Balance (vegan margarine)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mixture B:
2 cup wholewheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons instant coffee (or 1 tablespoon espresso powder)
1/3 cup nondairy milk
FILLING:
1/3 cup Earth Balance (vegan margarine)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup wheat germ
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
GLAZE:
3/4 cup organic powdered sugar
1 tablespoon strong liquid coffee or espresso

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Oil a 9" round cake pan and line with baking parchment cut to fit the bottom of the pan.

Combine Mixture A ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.

In a small bowl whisk together the Mixture B ingredients. Add the half of the Mixture A to the dry ingredients, then the 1/3 c. nondairy milk, then the remaining Mixture A, beating briefly after each addition. (It's thicker than a layer cake batter.)

Combine the Filling ingredients in a small bowl.

Spread half of the batter into the pan with your fingers. Top with half of the nut filling.
Spread the rest of the batter over that, then the remaining Filling.

Bake for 25 minutes. Cool briefly, then loosen the sides with a knife and turn out onto a plate. Drizzle or spread with the Glaze and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 337.7 calories; 43% calories from fat; 16.2g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 293.4mg sodium; 463.6mg potassium; 44.3g carbohydrates; 4.3g fiber; 18.1g sugar; 40.1g net carbs; 6.4g protein; 7.3 points.



Happy Holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS!

"Nonna's house in the woods", as my 4-yr-old grandson calls our house

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!

A VERSATILE LOW-FAT CREAMY PASTA SAUCE FOR QUICK MEALS BETWEEN FEASTS

Low-fat vegan pasta a la carbonnera with peas

This isn't a Christmas or holiday recipe, but we do need some quick meals between cooking, cleaning, shopping, feasting, and present-wrapping! The following sauce is great to have in your fridge, or to whip up literally in minutes, and use to create a yummy pasta dish in teh time it takes to boil the pasta!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA’S QUICK CREAMY SAUCE FOR PASTA

Yield: 4 and 1/4 cups

This recipe (from my first cookbook, “The Almost No-Fat Cookbook”) is one of the most versatile and effortless sauces around, so don't be afraid to make this large amount. It can be used in a number of pasta dishes, and leftovers can be used in creamy soups and casseroles, to moisten stuffed baked potatoes or mashed potatoes, on vegetables..etc..

1 1/2 cups cold water
3/4 lb (1/2 a box) of extra-firm SILKEN tofu
1/4 cup dry white wine
OR 3 tablespoons water plus 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
1/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons "chicken-style" veggie broth powder
2 teaspoons salt OR 2 tablespoons light miso plus 1 tsp. salt
2 teaspoons garlic granules or powder
OPTIONAL: 2 T. tahini
1 1/2 cups hot water

Combine in a blender the first 1 1/2 cups water and all of the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the 1 1/2 cup HOT water.

When the mixture is smooth, pour it into a heavy saucepan or a medium microwave-proof bowl. Whisk in the 1 1/2 cups hot water.

Stir constantly over high heat until it comes to a boil. Turn down and simmer for a few minutes, until it thickens.

MICROWAVE OPTION: Pour the blended mixture into a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook, covered, on High for 3 minutes. Whisk well and cook, covered, on High for 3 more minutes, or until thickened. Whisk well.

TO MAKE SOY-FREE: Omit water (all 3 cups in total) and the tofu. Instead, use 3 cups almond milk (the commercial type, such as Almond Breeze, is low in fat). Use 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch instead of 2 tablespoons. Use the salt, or use chickpea miso and salt.

Nutrition Facts (with no tahini)

Nutrition (per 1/4 cup): 24.8 calories; 16% calories from fat; 0.5g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 251.2mg sodium; 96.0mg potassium; 2.8g carbohydrates; 0.8g fiber; 0.3g sugar; 1.9g net carbs; 2.8g protein; 0.4 points.


PASTA ENTREES USING QUICK CREAMY SAUCE

You don't really need a recipe to make a variety of tasty dishes with pasta of all types and Quick Creamy Sauce-- just use your imagination. One recipe of sauce is enough for 2 lbs. of tossed pasta, or 1 lb., if the sauce is going to be cooked into it like a casserole (the pasta “sucks” up the sauce when it’s baked!)

NOTE: Pasta also really soaks up this sauce as it cools, so you'll have to add a bit of water, broth or nondairy milk when reheating leftovers.

You can toss the sauce with pasta and add chopped cooked (fresh or frozen) vegetables, such as frozen chopped spinach (well-squeezed), arugula or other greens, peas, asparagus, onions and cabbage, broccoli; sauteed or grilled mushrooms; grilled or roasted vegetables; rehydrated (or marinated) and sliced sundried tomatoes; roasted peppers or rinsed marinated artichokes from a jar; strips of any cooked vegan chicken substitute or commercial marinated tofu; strips of vegetarian "deli meats" or seitan; chopped fresh parsley and other herbs; dairy-free pesto; vegetarian "Italian sausage", cooked and crumbled; hot tomato salsa or drained canned diced tomatoes; etc…..

For a Spaghetti a la Carbonnera-like dish, toss the sauce with 2 lbs. of spaghetti, freshly cooked, 1/4 cup of soy bacon chips or 1 cup of diced vegetarian "ham" or "bacon", and add lots of freshly-ground black pepper and vegan parmesan to taste. I like to also add some barely-cooked frozen petit pois (baby peas).

For "Straw and Hay", follow the Carbonnera recipe above, but use half regular and half spinach fettucine with the sauce, adding the peas.

For Southwestern Pasta, mix your favorite pasta shape with the sauce, chopped tomatoes, canned corn, sauteed onion, garlic, and zucchini, and some chile flakes (or maybe some salsa). Another option is roasted bell pepper strips (any or all colors).

For Creamy Green Pasta, add lots of steamed, chopped greens (squeezed dry) to the sauce.


For Pasta ala Primavera, add grilled vegetables—red pepper strips, diagonally-cut asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., and perhaps frozen baby peas or snap peas, which you can throw into the pot with the pasta as it boils, during the last couple of minutes. Add freshly-ground black pepper and soy parmesan.

Happy Holidays!

LAST-MINUTE, LOWFAT VEGAN FRUITCAKE IN WINTER WONDERLAND

Fruitcake I made yesterday.

It is snowing alot in the Pacific Northwest, or what we like to call"Canada's Banana Belt". Hmmmm. Look at these pics:







It's beautiful-- I'll grant you that! But it's very hard to get around in. The West Coast is not prepared for lots of snow for long periods of time. Side roads (we live on one) don't get plowed for days; snow on the sides of the roads just piles up and never gets taken away; some roads don't get sanded. Our driveway is long, steep and curvy. We walk it right now. Oh, well-- at least our pipes haven't frozen and the power is on! We are snug and warm and have lots of food. It could be worse. I just wish I didn't have to go anywhere until it goes away.

ABOUT THAT FRUITCAKE....

Yesterday I felt that I should bake something Christmasy. I've avoided baking because I'm trying to lose weight. And, also, rich desserts bother DH's digestion. So I made my fruitcake, which is pretty low in fat and made with some healthful ingredients.

I didn't grow up with fruitcake, and when I first tasted it I thought it was awful--heavy, stodgy. And I've always hated candied citron! I invented my own fruit cake years ago and it is rich-tasting and moist, but not full of eggs, butter or, worse yet, suet, like many traditional recipes. I based it on an old wartime "boiled raisin" cake.

It's easy to make and you don't have to chop the dried fruit and nuts-- a time saver! I leave them whole so that, when you slice the cake, you get a "stained-glass window" effect. You can make this cake at the last minute, because it doesn't need to be stored for long periods of time to develop flavor.

This is a dark fruitcake, which I prefer, but you can make a light fruitcake by omitting the spices and using all light organic sugar instead of brown sugar and molasses. Then use light-colored or red dried fruits, like pineapple, mango, pear, apple, apricots,cherries, cranberries, etc. for the fruit.

If you like, you can wrap the cooled loaves in liquor-soaked cheesecloth inside zipper-lock plastic bags and keep them for several weeks, or skip the liquor-soaked cheesecloth, in which case they should be frozen after about 1 and 1/2 weeks.

I have been making this as my Christmas cake for many years. I hope you like it!



Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S LOW-FAT VEGAN CARROT FRUITCAKE

BOILED MIXTURE:
1 1/2 cups water or apple juice
(Instead of 1 1/2 cups liquid, you can use 1/2 cup liquor of choice, such as rum or brandy, + 1 cup water or juice)
1 cup grated scrubbed carrots
1 cup raisins
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup oil or nondairy margarine (for an even lower-fat cake, omit the fat and use 1/4 cup smooth, unsweetened applesauce)

DRY INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour (regular, not pastry flour)
1/2 cup wheat germ OR oat flour (grind rolled oats in a dry blender)
1 teaspoon baking soda

DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS (for an even lower-fat cake, cut down on, or omit, the nuts, and add more dried fruit):
1 cup whole pitted mixed dried fruits (such as prunes and apricots)
1 cup whole pitted dates
1 cup dried currants (or use dried unsweetened cranberries)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup whole shelled unsalted mixed nuts

Bring the Boiled Mixture ingredients to a boil together in a medium saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.



Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients, then add the cooled Boiled Mixture and the dried fruits and nuts.



Mix well and spoon into two 3x6" loaf pans (fruitcake pans) and one 8x4" loaf pan, nonstick or lightly-oiled or sprayed and lined on the bottom with waxed paper or cooking parchment (or one 7-8" tube cake pan). Bake the small loaves for 45 minutes and the larger loaf for 60 minutes. Invert on racks to cool. Carefully peel off the paper.

Servings: 36
Yield: 2/ 3x6" loaves + 1/ 8x4" loaf OR one 7-8" tube cake

Nutrition Facts (calculated using oil and nuts)
Nutrition (per serving): 124.6 calories; 33% calories from fat; 4.9g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 92.7mg sodium; 209.7mg potassium; 19.7g carbohydrates; 2.0g fiber; 12.5g sugar; 17.6g net carbs; 2.5g protein; 2.5 points.





Happy Baking!

VEGAN CHRISTMAS BISCOTTI: LEMON-GINGER-PISTACHIO OR CRANBERRY-ORANGE-PECAN

I must confess that I seldom get into the "Holiday Spirit" until a few days before Christmas! In any case, this year, we have pledged to have a layed-back, no-presents-except-maybe-homemade (money instead to go to a children's charity) celebration focusing on food and family and music. However, I am hosting some guests this weekend, so this year I am forced to get into it a little earlier than usual! We may have snow tonight, which DH will love, and it is pretty, but it makes life difficult with long, unplowed driveways, etc.!

I wanted to share my recipe for "Christmas biscotti", which I developed for my very first Vegan Feast Newsletter, back in 2004. Biscotti are easy to make and perfect with dessert wine, tea or coffee. They also keep and travel well, so they make great gift cookies. These biscotti are larger, and a little richer and more "buttery" than the basic biscotti in my book "Nonna's Italian Kitchen". Traditional biscotti are made with egg-- I use applesauce instead, with great results!

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S VEGAN CHRISTMAS BISCOTTI:
LEMON-GINGER-PISTACHIO OR CRANBERRY-ORANGE-PECAN
Yield: 20 large biscotti

I love these flavor combinations for biscotti! Hint: Baking parchment paper ensures that these beauties won't burn, despite the dried fruit content.

DRY MIX:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
WET MIX:
1 1/2 cups granulated light organic sugar
3/4 cup smooth unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup melted Earth Balance
1 teaspoon vanilla
ADDITIONS: choose 1.) or 2.):
1.) For the Lemon-Ginger-Pistachio:
2 large organic lemons, finely-grated zest only
1 1/2 cups whole shelled pistachios (un-dyed)
3/4 cup chopped candied ginger (I used an organic variety that was quite strong in taste-delicious!)
2.) For the Cranberry-Orange-Pecan:
1 large (or 2 medium) organic oranges, finely-grated zest only
1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans
1 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
Optional Finish:
orgainic powdered sugar (icing sugar; confectioner's sugar)

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a cookie sheet with cooking parchment, cut to fit.
In a large bowl, whisk together the Dry Mix ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Wet Mix ingredients. Stir the Wet Mix into the Dry Mix, then add the #1 or #2 Additions.

With floured hands, shape the dough into one 6"-wide "log", about 3/4" thick, with ends squared off. Place this on the lined cookie sheet. Bake the "log" for 25 minutes. Remove the pan and reduce the oven heat to 300° F.

Cool the "log" on a rack for 15 minutes. Cut the "log" carefully with a sharp serrated knife straight across into 1/2"-wide slices. Place the slices cut-side-down on the cookie sheet (you can re-use the parchment, BTW). Bake 10 minutes, or until just golden on the bottom. Turn the slices over and cook 10 minutes more, or until golden on the bottom.



Cool on racks, then store airtight for up to two weeks (or freeze). You can sift a little powdered organic sugar over them, if you like.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per biscotti): 306.3 calories; 24% calories from fat; 8.8g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 73.6mg sodium; 177.8mg potassium; 55.7g carbohydrates; 4.2g fiber; 15.4g sugar; 51.4g net carbs; 3.0g protein; 6.1 points.



Happy Baking!

MY NEW MINI SUPERPEEL, CRAFT FAIR ON DENMAN IS., MORE WAYS TO USE MY WHOLE GRAIN SOURDOUGH PANCAKE BATTER, AND A SPREAD TO USE ON IT!

Using my new Mini SuperPeel to load the pizza onto the peel.

NOTE: This is a long mish-mosh of stuff today! I'm going to be pretty busy until next week, so I thought I'd just post everything I have!

I was fascinated by the SuperPeel, The Ultimate Baker's Transport Tool. It's a fantastic way to get pizza, bread, and other baked goods from the counter, onto the peel, and then onto a baking stone or pan without messing up your masterpiece! You can read all about it on the website.

My problem was that I bake my pizza in my Cuisinart Brick Oven-- a countertop oven with a 12" square interior. (Read about it here.) The SuperPeel is 14" square. So, I wrote to Gary, the owner, just to suggest that he might think about making one that fits in popular smaller ovens. Well, he made me one-- as a prototype only, but he will probably be making them for sale soon, so keep an eye on his website! I got it last week (my Christmas present a little early!) and it works beautifully! It also looks pretty neat:

Here it is without the cloth:


And here it is with the cloth:


Here are some more comments from happy bakers.

You can watch videos of how it works here, and also on this website.

THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIRE ON DENMAN ISLAND...it's a 2-day affair, a Christmas tradition, with great arts and crafts-- really high quality. My granddaughters made homemade lollipops, candied apples, and other treats to sell at the children's booth.


The scarves-- made by my 9-year-old grandaughter and her friend!


Our friend's Bev's lovely pottery display


Jacquie's funky French fry stand


My talented good friend and dance teacher Bronwyn with her beautiful pottery and tiles.


Two of our young friends with their yummy-smelling handmade soap--cocoa, chai spices, coffee...

MORE WAYS TO USE MY WHOLE GRAIN SOURDOUGH PANCAKE BATTER... I am really happy with my vegan, whole grain pancake batter. It's light and delicious.


Really bubbly whole grain pancake batter!

I've been keeping a wholewheat starter or two just for that recipe, so that it's all-whole grain.



I made delicious waffles with the same batter (nonstick waffle maker with oil spray just to be safe!):




And, when the extra batter had been in the fridge for a couple of days and thinned out, I made crepes with it:






NOW, ABOUT THAT SPREAD... DH doesn't care for my really low-fat Coconut-Corn Buttery Spread, so I make him the following spread, adapted from a recipe in my book< Nonna's Italian Kitchen. It just makes Earth Balance into a homemade reduced-fat spread, but it's quick, easy, cheap, and you know what goes into it!



Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S HOMEMADE REDUCED-FAT VEGAN BUTTERY SPREAD MADE WITH EARTH BALANCE
Yield: 1 1/4 cups

This easy, homemade spread contains half the fat of butter or margarine, but spreads and melts nicely, and tastes great. 1 serving= 1 tablespoon

10 tablespoons (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) nondairy milk
10 tablespoons(1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) Original Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread (NOT whipped)
4 teaspoons Instant Clear-Jel (see Cooking Tips below)
OR 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix the ingredients together in a food processor and whiz until very smooth. Scoop into a covered container and refrigerate until firm.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 54.2 calories; 93% calories from fat; 5.6g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 76.0mg sodium; 9.5mg potassium; 0.7g carbohydrates; 0.0g fiber; 0.2g sugar; 0.7g net carbs; 0.2g protein; 1.5 points.

Cooking Tips
INSTANT CLEARJEL®

Instant Clearjel® is a modified corn starch, which simply means that it is precooked, used to thicken recipes. And the vegan ice cream made with it does not crystallize, or get rock-hard. It's creamy, and has no starchy mouth feel.

For clump-free, smooth results: "...it is best when first combined with dry ingredients, before adding liquid. It will begin to swell or thicken as soon as it is added to water, milk or juices; it will impart a smooth, short texture when fully hydrated, reaching its full thickness within 5-10 minutes (without requiring any cooking). Instant Clearjel® can be used in cooking as well. The viscosity will increase slightly upon heating. It has excellent heat and acid resistance and can be used in acid containing foods and in those applications where heating is required. It has good cold temperature storage stability, making it particularly well suited for refrigerated and frozen foods." http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Instant_Clearjel®
America's Test Kitchen recommends it for fruit pies, BTW.

It isn't available on store shelves-- here in Canada I had to get 11 lbs. of it from a bakery supply company (Snowcap), but maybe a bakery would sell you a smaller amount.

In the US, you can mail-order it from Everyday Dish.


Enjoy!

LOW-FAT, VEGAN ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOM SHEPHERD'S PIE

I'm home with a cold-- at least one that is trying to take hold and I'm fighting it! So, I thought I'd share a recipe I made recently that is yummy and comforting on a miserable December day!

The recipe is adapted from one in Cook's Illustrated magazine (and you'll see the original recipe reproduced-- unattributed, unfortunately-- around the 'Net). I veganized it, used more asparagus and less mushrooms, and far less fat. I compensated for all the missing fat by using a tiny bit of tasty Chinese sesame oil, and adding some dried porcini mushrooms and their soaking water. Very delicious and comforting, indeed, and about as elegant as a Shepherd's Pie can be!

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S LOWER-FAT VEGAN MUSHROOM AND ASPARAGUS SHEPHERD'S PIE
Servings: 5

Mashed Potatoes:
3 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes
3/4 cup plain (original) nondairy milk (preferably soy milk or Almond Breeze)
salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste.
Filling:
1/4 cup dried porcini mushroom slices
1 lb asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1" pieces
1 teaspoon Chinese sesame oil
1 lbs + 6 oz. (22 oz.) mushrooms of your choice (I used cremini-- you can use a mixture), cleaned, stemmed, if nbecessary, and cut into 1/2" chunks
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup sliced veggie "ham" (optional)
1/2 a small onion, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
5/8 cup medium dry sherry
1 cup porcini mushroom soaking water
1/2 cup hot water
1 mushroom bouillon cube, or 1 teaspoon mushroom broth powder or paste (enough for for 1 cup broth), crumbled (see here)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon potato starch dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water
freshly-ground black pepper
paprika or smoked paprika (pimenton)



Make the mashed potatoes as follows, or, for the best, fluffy "butter-y" low-fat mashed potatoes, see the recipe here.

Peel the potatoes and cut into equal-sized chunks. Steam them or cook in simmering water to cover until tender but not mushy. Drain and mash well with a potato masher. Add the nondairy milk and beat well with a wooden spoon. Season to taste with salt (do not omit the salt!) and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and set aside.

To make the Filling:
Soak the dried porcini mushrooms in about 1 1/2 cups of boiling water, covered, while you proceed with the next few steps.

Steam the asparagus until bright green and crisp-tender. Spray with cold water from the tap, drain and set aside.

Add the sesame oil to a very large, non-stick skillet over high heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Stir-cook over until browned mushroom have released their juice. Add splashes of hot water as needed to keep from sticking or drying out, but don't use much. Add the veggie "ham", if using, and the green onions, and stir-cook until the mushrooms start to brown. Transfer them to a bowl and reserve.

Strain the porcini mushrooms and save 1 cup of the soaking water. Stir the porcini mushrooms into the cooked mushroom mixture. Mix with the hot water and mushroom bouillon cube until it dissolves. Whisk in the tomato paste.

Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the sherry and deglaze the pan by scraping up any browned juices with a wooden spoon. Boil until the liquid is reduced to a syrupy glaze. Add the mushroom soaking water/broth /tomato paste mixture, salt and thyme. Simmer for a few minutes, and then whisk in the potato starch mixture. The sauce will thicken quickly, as potato starch only needs to heat up, not cook, in order to thicken. Add the cooked asparagus and mushroom mixture to the sauce. Taste for seasoning. Pour into a 2 qt. baking dish or gratin dish.



Heat the oven to 375°F.

Drop spoonfuls of the mashed potatoes on top of the mushroom filling and spread them gently to form an even (but not too smooth) layer.



Spray the potatoes with oil from a pump-sprayer and sprinkle with paprika or smoked paprika (pimenton). Bake in the hot oven until the potatoes are golden on top and the filling is bubbling, 25 to 35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 428.9 calories; 3% calories from fat; 1.7g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 374.1mg sodium; 2921.7mg potassium; 84.1g carbohydrates; 8.4g fiber; 6.2g sugar; 75.7g net carbs; 18.2g protein; 7.9 points.



Enjoy!