ADVENTURES IN MARMALADE

Lemon/Ginger Marmalade on the L; Orange-with-a-Touch-of-Lemon Marmalade on the R

I had a strange urge to make marmalade yesterday. I say "strange" because I don't do much in the way of preserve-making these days. But, I was reading about saving energy in the kitchen (Kate Hayhoe's "Cooking Green" is a good resource if you are interested) by using kitchen appliances such as microwave ovens (afraid of them? read), slow-cookers, pressure cookers, etc.. As a morning project, I re-arranged my appliances on the deep counters of my small kitchen so that all of my labor-and-energy-saving devices, both those that I use often, or those that I should use more often, are right at hand. (I, for one, will resist making a dish if it entails lugging an awkward machine out from a corner cupboard or even downstairs in my office, where the overflow goes.)

That done, I decided to make some small batches of marmalade, which my husband loves, in the microwave. I figured that, if it was a simple process, I would not have to buy it anymore and could make it from organic products while still saving money. I found a recipe, or more like a guide, really, for microwave orange marmalade in the book "Not Your Mother's Microwave Cookbook" by Beth Hensperger. Normally, the rule of thumb when making marmalade or jam is approximately twice as much sugar as fruit. But Beth's rule is 1 cup sugar to 1 cup of the fruit mix-- so, less sugar, too! And the chopping is done in a food processor, so more streamlining.

So, I made two jars (there was a bit left over to sample)-- one with a large navel orange and a lemon, and one with 3 medium-large lemons and some candied ginger.  Both are delicious and each took about 15 minutes from start to finish-- I'm not kidding!

Here's what I did:

Printable Recipe (both versions)

BRYANNA'S VERSION OF MICROWAVE ORANGE-WITH-A-BIT-OF-LEMON MARMALADE
Makes a little over 1 pint.

1 large navel orange (use organic and scrub as well)
1 medium-large lemon (ditto note above)
organic unbleached granulated sugar equal to the measure of processed fruit
(My fruit came to 1 1/2 cups, so I used 1 1/2 cups sugar ) 
1 tablespoon golden syrup (a sugar product) per cup of  processed fruit (this replaces the 1 tablespoon corn syrup Beth Hensperger called for), to prevent crystallization.
(I used 1 1/2 tablespoons golden syrup)

If you don't mind a chunky marmalade, you can process the whole fruit in the food processor. If you want it to to be a little more refined, use a zester and zest the orange and lemon first, before cutting the lemon into 8 wedges (remove any seeds) and the orange into 12 wedges and then each wedge in half.  Whichever way you do it, add the fruit to your food processor and pulse until the fruit is in tiny pieces, but not pulverized.

Pour it the fruit into a 2 qt. ceramic or Pyrex measuring beaker/batter bowl.  Take note of the measure of the fruit (measure it first if your bowl does not have measurement indications) and add an equal amount of sugar and then the golden syrup as instructed above.  Stir well.

Microwave (in a 1200 watt oven) on 100% power for 2-3 minutes and then on 10% power for 3-6 minutes, depending upon the amount. The fruit peel should be softened and the liquid a bit thickened.  NOTE: I cooked this batch for 2 minutes at 100% power and then 6 minutes at 10% power. If your oven has less wattage than mine, you may need to add a little more time onto each section of cooking.  If it is 1300 watts or more, you may have to use less time.

Pour the mixture into a sterilized pint jar or two sterilized half-pint jars and secure the lids.  Let cool a room temperature and then refrigerate (or water-bath can as per canning instructions for preserves).

Nutrition (per tablespoon): 38.7 calories; 0% calories from fat; 0.0g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 1.6mg sodium; 14.2mg potassium; 10.1g carbohydrates; 0.3g fiber; 9.6g sugar; 9.9g net carbs; 0.1g protein; 0.7 points.

LEMON/GINGER MARMALADE VERSION:
Makes about 1 1/4 pints
I'm thinking that this marmalade would be a great base for a savory grilling sauce.

The same as above, except use:
3 medium-large organic lemons
1/2 cup organic candied ginger
organic unbleached granulated sugar equal to the measure of processed fruit
1 tablespoon golden syrup (a sugar product) per cup of  processed fruit (this replaces the 1 tablespoon corn syrup Beth Hensperger called for), to prevent crystallization.
(After I measured the fruit mixture with this version-- and, as you can see in the photo above, I zested the lemons before processing-- I had to use 2 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons golden syrup.)

Follow the instructions in the main recipe above. For this version, I cooked it at 100% power for 3 minutes and 10% power for 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per tablespoon): 51.7 calories; 0% calories from fat; 0.0g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 2.0mg sodium; 15.9mg potassium; 13.9g carbohydrates; 0.5g fiber; 10.9g sugar; 13.4g net carbs; 0.1g protein; 0.9 points.

There's a book I have on order called "One Pot of Jam from Your Microwave (Quick and Easy)" by Sonia Allison (author of "One Pot Luxury Preserves from the Microwave", which is out of print but still available 2nd hand.) I have ordered it from my library. Both should be interesting!

Happy preserving!

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY! VEGAN TRIPLE-THREAT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER FILLING & KAHLUA GANACHE ICING

I haven't posted any dessert recipes for a while, so, it being National Peanut Butter Day and all, I decided that the time has come to blog a recipe I devised in 2007 for my now-defunct Vegan Feast newsletter. (Of course, you can use another nut butter if you or a loved one or guest is allergic to peanuts.)  These babies are not what I would call low-fat, but, at 225 calories each, they are not excessively rich either. (The "triple-threat", BTW, is cocoa powder, semisweet chocolate, and chocolate liqueur.) Mmmmmm!

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S TRIPLE THREAT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER FILLING (or use other Nut Butter)

(For GF, I'm sure an all-purpose GF flour mix would work in the batter.)

Makes 24 cupcakes

A delightful treat containing two of my favorite things—chocolate and peanut butter.  I kept the fat as low as I could, while still producing a moist, triple-chocolaty, peanuty-rich treat.  My guests and granddaughters gobbled them up. PS: They are not as complicated as they look! The Filling and Ganache can be made ahead of time. You may have to bring the Ganache to room temperature to spread properly if it is quite cold.

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING

1/2 cup natural smooth peanut butter (or use another favorite nut butter, if you prefer)

1/2 cup (1/3 of a 12.3 oz. box) extra-firm SILKEN tofu, crumbled

1/3 cup soft brown sugar

2 Tbs maple syrup

2 Tbs nondairy milk

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

GANACHE ICING

4 oz (preferably organic fair trade) dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate, chopped

1/3 cup nondairy milk (preferably rich full-fat soymilk, nut milk, or non-dairy creamer)

1/4 cup extra-firm SILKEN tofu, crumbled 

1 Tbs chocolate liqueur (Kahlua), or chocolate flavored syrup for fancy coffees or Italian sodas

CUPCAKE BATTER

Mixture A (Cocoa Mix):

3/4 cup (preferably organic fair trade) unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 cup nondairy "buttermilk" (scant 1/2 cup soy milk or nut milk with 1/2 T. lemon juice added)

Mixture B (Dry Mix):

1 3/4 cups sifted wholewheat pastry flour (measured AFTER the coarse bran is sifted out)

1/3 cup white unbleached flour

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

4 oz (preferably organic fair trade) dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips

Mixture C ("Butter" Mix):

6 Tbs vegan butter (try my palm oil-free Buttah)

6 Tbs unsweetened, smooth applesauce

1 1/2 cups soft brown sugar

1/2 cup plain soy or other vegan yogurt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract        

Making the Peanut Butter Filling:

Process all of the ingredients together in a food processor until very smooth.  Scoop into a bowl and refrigerate until time to use.

Making the Ganache:

Process the chocolate finely in a DRY food processor.  Leave the chocolate in the processor.

          

Whip the soymilk and silken tofu together in the blender or with a hand blender until VERY smooth.  Heat it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until almost to the boiling point. OR microwave it in a microwave-save bowl for about 1 minute at 50 percent power, or until very hot, but not boiling.  (If the mixture seems to curdle at all, blend it again until smooth.)

                                                                          

With the motor running, pour the hot soy creme in through the feed tube.  Process until the mixture is smooth.  Add the liqueur and process briefly.  Scoop into a bowl, cover and cool.

Making the Cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place 2 racks in the lower and middle third of the oven. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with parchment or silicone cupcake liners.

Mixture A (Cocoa Mix):

Place the cocoa powder in a medium heatproof bowl. Add the boiling water and whisk until a smooth paste forms. Whisk in the "buttermilk" until well-combined. Set aside.

Mixture B (Dry Mix):

In another medium bowl, whisk the flours with the baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Stir in the 4 oz. chocolate chips. Set aside.

Mixture C (“Butter” Mix):

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the vegan butter and applesauce with the sugar until it's light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the soy yogurt and and vanilla.

Mixing: To  Mixture C (“Butter” Mix), add 1/2 of Mixture B (Dry Mix), stirring with a wooden spoon; then add half of Mixture A (Cocoa Mix), stirring again with a wooden spoon.  Repeat this procedure once again with the last halves of Mixture B and Mixture A.  Do not overbeat—blend just until the mixtures are blended (like muffin batter).

Carefully spoon 1/2 cupcake batter into the lined muffin cups.  Scoop about 1 Tbs. of the Peanut Butter Filling into the center of each muffin cup of batter, pressing it gently down into the batter a bit.  

When you have filled all the muffin cups, spoon the remaining batter evenly over each mound of Peanut Butter Filling-topped chocolate batter, completely hiding the filling.

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are springy and test done when a cake tester is inserted into the side of one.  (They may have sunk a little in the center, but that's okay!) Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. When the cupcakes are cool, ice them with the Ganache (you may have to bring it to room temperature to spread properly if it is quite cold).

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition (per cupcake): 225.9 calories; 33% calories from fat; 9.1g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 154.7mg sodium; 211.3mg potassium; 35.4g carbohydrates; 3.0g fiber; 18.6g sugar; 4.5g protein; 4.7 points.

Enjoy!

A VEGETABLE LUNCH: VEGAN SICILIAN CAULIFLOWER & BLACK OLIVE GRATIN, AND GRILLED BALSAMIC SWEET POTATOES & BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Yesterday we had a vegetable lunch.  I needed to use up half a large sweet potato and a chunk of butternut squash, and I wanted to use at least half of a last cauliflower that I had in the fridge, lest it stay there too long.  So I altered a couple of recipes that caught my eye on Pinterest to suit our taste-- veganizing one, cutting down on the fat, adjusting the seasoning, and using different cooking methods.  Both were delicious and I will make them again.

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S  VERSION OF BALSAMIC GRILLED SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SLICES

Serves 2 to 4

I used different seasoning and less oil (of a different type), sweet potato in addition to the squash, didn't marinate for very long, and used my oven's broiler instead of a grill.

(Adapted from this recipe.)

Note: You can use only sweet potatoes or only squash, if you prefer.

1/2 a large sweet potato (orange flesh), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

a 6 x 5-inch chunk of seeded Butternut squash (or other "meaty" orange winter squash), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Balsamic Grilling Sauce:

2 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon dark roasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce (can be low-salt)

1 tsp. dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)

3 cloves garlic, crushed

lots of freshly-ground black pepper

Mix the Grilling Sauce together in a small bowl.  Place the sliced vegetables in a large zipper-lock bag.  Pour in the sauce, zip up the bag and shake well.  Leave on the counter while you prepare the pan and broiler.

Heat the broiler on High.  Move the oven rack to the 2nd level down (about 6 inches from the heat source).  Spread the vegetables and the sauce in one layer on a small baking sheet with a rim. Make sure that the sauce is evenly distributed.  

Place under the broiler heat and cook for about 7 minutes, or until the vegetables look shiny and a bit charred.  Turn the pieces over and redistribute the remaining sauce so that the pieces get coated more-or-less evenly.  Broil again until the second side look shiny and a bit charred as well, and the vegetables are tender inside.

Serve hot!

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Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S VERSION OF SICILIAN CAULIFLOWER & BLACK OLIVE GRATIN, VEGANIZED)

Serves 3 to 4

I used less oil and more olives (kalamatas instead of oil-cured, because that's what I had), red onion instead of white, a bit more vegan cheese, and a little non-dairy milk for moisture; and did it all in the microwave, as I was in a hurry (and it saves energy and nutrients) and the oven was being used for the grilled squash and sweet potato.

Adapted from a recipe by Martha Rose Shulman

1/2 a large head of cauliflower (I used about 1 1/4 lbs, trimmed of leaves and stalk before weighing)

1/2 a large red onion, chopped small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

16 medium pitted kalamata olives, drained and cut in half lengthwise

1/2 cup grated vegan cheese (I used Daiya mozzarella shreds)

2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan sub (I used GoVeggie! Vegan)

1/4 cup non-dairy milk

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cut the cauliflower into small flowerettes.  Place them in a microwave-safe casserole that you are going to use for serving.  Add a  couple of tablespoons water, cover and microwave on high for about 4 minutes.  the cauliflower will still be a bit crunchy.  Keep covered while you prepare the other ingredients.

In a microwave-safe pie plate, mix the olive oil, onions and garlic.  Cover with a microwave-safe pot lid or another Pyrex pie plate upside-down).  Sprinkle with a little salt.  Microwave on high for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft.

Uncover the lid on the casserole and drain any water from the cauliflower. Add the onions, etc., the olives, half of the grated cheese and Parmesan sub, and the non-dairy milk.  Mix well.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheeses.  Cover and microwave on High power for about 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower are done to your liking.  Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

Enjoy!

MY 2013 NEW YEAR'S HOPPIN' JOHN, AND HOPPIN' JOHN SOUP WITH THE LEFTOVERS

My new Hoppin' John with cornbread (instead of rice) and mixed greens and garlic (chard, kale, rapini and spinach-- collards would be good, too)

I decided to update my New Year's Hoppin' John this year-- to make it more flavorful and a little spicier.  I've been using the same recipe that I devised back in the 90's (vegan Hoppin' John recipes were not so easy to find back then), so I thought it was about time for a makeover.  

For some background on the dish, if you're not familiar, here's the write-up from my book, The Almost No-Fat Holiday Cookbook:

"There are several universal customs that link New Year's festivities from country to country-- loud noise-making; partying, feasting and drinking; dressing up in costume or new clothes; paying off old debts; and eating beans!  Yes, strange as it may seem, there is a long association between beans and good luck on New Year's Day.

In Japan it has been the custom for the head of the house to go through all of the rooms at midnight of New Year's Eve scattering roasted beans about and chanting "Oni wa soto, fuka wa uchi" ("Out with the demons! In with the Luck!").

In Northern Europe families or communities selected a King, and sometimes also a Queen, of Bean, "the nobilities of Misrule", who presided over games and revels.

     

In the Southern United States even today it is the custom [and it has obviously spread to other parts of North America!] to eat black-eyed peas, usually in the form of a dish called Hoppin' John, for good luck in the New Year.  The spicy black-eyed peas and rice (with the greens that often accompany them) were brought to the South by African slaves.  The English-Irish-Scottish slave-owners brought their Celtic and Anglo-Saxon customs of eating beans for good luck and hopping over the dying embers of New Year bonfires, also for good luck.  It seems reasonable to assume that this is the origin of the name Hoppin' John (the Anglo-Saxon word "hoppan" meant a religious dance or leap)-- a blending of African foods and European lore."  It should be noted that red peas, cowpeas or field peas, all relatives of black-eyed peas, were and are also used in Hoppin' John, but black-eyed peas are more easily available to most North Americans.

Here is a little additional lore: "In the American South, greens are added to black-eyed peas or hoppin' John (black-eyed peas with rice). The symbolism is straightforward: the greens represented dollars and the black-eyed peas coins. Dried beans, garnished or plain, represent the changing over of years, for they can be stored throughout the winter and then be planted to create the harvest."

http://www.foodtimeline.org/newyear.html#luck 

And even more: "The "good luck" traditions of eating black-eyed peas at Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, are recorded in the Babylonian Talmud (compiled circa500 CE), Horayot 12A: "Abaye [d. 339 CE] said, now that you have established that good-luck symbols avail, you should make it a habit to see qara(bottle gourd), rubiya (black-eyed peas, Arabic lubiya), kartei (leeks), silka (either beets or spinach), and tamrei (dates) on your table on the New Year." However, the custom may have resulted from an early mis-translation of the Aramaic word rubiya (fenugreek)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea

We ate cornbread instead of rice with the peas this year and I just read this tidbit: "One more from the Southerners: eating cornbread will bring wealth."  That makes me feel better (just kidding)!

So, here's my new recipe, and below that is a delicious soup I made with the leftovers.

Printable Recipe (both the main recipe and the soup)

BRYANNA'S 2013 NEW YEAR'S VEGAN HOPPIN' JOHN

Serves about 8

8 cups tasty vegan broth (I like Better Than Bouillon "No-Chicken" vegan broth base)

2 1/2 cups dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained

Optional: 1/4 cup vegan "bacon bits" or 1 cup of chopped vegan "ham"

1 teaspoon liquid smoke (if you're not familiar with this product, read this post)

2 medium onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 teaspoon dried red chili flakes (use more if your sausage is not as spicy as the Field Roast Chipotle)

4 teaspoons dark sesame oil

2 spicy vegan sausages, sliced 1/4-inch thick (I used Field Roast Chipotle sausages, which make the stew really spicy)
1/3 of a (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 tablespoon ketchup (Do not omit! This little bit of the tomato-ey condiment rounds out the flavor nicely.)

In a large pot, mix together the broth, black-eyed peas, optional "bacon bits" or "ham", and liquid smoke.  Bring to a boil.

While that's heating, saute the onions, garlic and chili flakes in the dark sesame oil in a heavy nonstick, cast iron or hard-anodized skillet over medium-high heat until the onions are softened.  Alternatively, you can soften them in the oil in a covered microwave-proof  casserole for about 6 minutes on 100% power.

Add the softened onions to the pot with the black-eyed peas. Add the sliced sausages, tomato paste and ketchup.  Bring to a boil, turn down to a low simmer, cover and cook for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender.

Serve with steamed long grain brown rice or cornbread, and braised greens.

UPDATE: You can make this in the Instant Pot or a pressure cooker. Saute the onions, garlic and chili flakes in the oil in the Instant Pot on the Saute function.  Add the remaining ingredients and cook at High pressure (using the Bean or Manual function on the Instant Pot) for 20 minutes.  Let the pressure come down for at least 10 minutes before you release the steam.

And here is the soup recipe you can make with the leftovers:

Hoppin' John Soup that we ate for lunch today, with rice this time

BRYANNA'S HOPPIN' JOHN SOUP
Serves 4
So easy, so good!

3 1/2 cups leftover Hoppin' John (see above)
3 1/2 cups tasty vegan broth  (I like Better Than Bouillon "No-Chicken" vegan broth base)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
9 ounces sweet potato (orange flesh), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 ounces Swiss chard (weighed after large stalks are removed) or other fresh greens, washed, drained and thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar
about 3 cups hot cooked brown rice (I used a combo of brown Basmati and Thai red rice)
smoked paprika

Mix together the ingredients in a medium pot, bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.  Stir in the vinegar and taste for salt and chile heat-- add a little hot sauce if you like.

To serve, divide the soup between 4 soup bowls or plates.  Measure some of the rice in a 2/3 cup measure.  Pack it down firmly.  Overturn the measuring cup in the center of each bowl and whack the bottom of it with the heavy end of a table knife to loosen it from the cup.  Sprinkle a bit of the smoked paprika across the soup and the rice and serve.

Happy New Year!