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Tag: French

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Roasted Tofish with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Roasted Tofish with Beurre Blanc Sauce
Roasted Tofish with Beurre Blanc Sauce

If “filet mignon” isn’t your type of meal, than I’d be happy to interest you in my Roasted Tofish with a Beurre Blanc sauce and Forbidden Black Rice. If you haven’t heard of a Beurre Blanc sauce, it’s a classic French sauce made with vegan cream and butter (it just takes a bit of whisking, which is pretty minimal). There is a simple elegance to this dish, with the light flavorful seasoning of the nori with the sauce and rice- it’s a true delight. If you haven’t already decided, I highly suggest giving this dinner a go!

Roasted Tofish with Beurre Blanc Sauce
Roasted Tofish with Beurre Blanc Sauce Plant-Based “Filet Mignon”

Yields 2 servings

Ingredients

“Fish”:

1 (8 oz.) extra firm tofu

1 sheet nori seaweed

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 tsp. white pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 cup plain almond milk

1 Tbsp. flour

Beurre Blanc Sauce:

2 Tbsp. shallots, chopped

1/3 cup heavy coconut cream

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 cup butter, cubed and cold

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 tsp. white pepper

Directions

“Fish”:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together flour, seasoning, and almond milk and set aside.
  2. Press tofu to remove excess water. Slice the tofu into 2-3 large squares. Do the same with the nori.
  3. Place a slice of nori into the flour and almond milk mixture and place onto the back of tofu. Smooth and press it down so it sticks to the tofu, repeat with remaining squares.
  4. On a parchment lined baking sheet, place the “fish” fillets down.
  5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until it is golden brown. Set aside.

Beurre Blanc Sauce:

  1. In a sauce pan on medium heat, bring to a boil the vinegar, wine, and shallots (reduce by half).
  2. Add the cream, white pepper, salt, and boil for 1-2 minutes. Bring heat to low and slowly add the butter. Be sure to whisk each tablespoon in and toss another one in before the previous completely melts. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.
  3. Pour sauce through a mesh sieve into a mason jar (discard shallots).
  4. Serve with tofu “fish” fillet, quinoa, grilled asparagus, and sauce.

Chef’s tip: If you do not want a “white fish” style piece, you can marinate the tofu for a different type of flavor.

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Pumpkin Spice French Macarons

French Macaron Shell

This airy and fluffy “cookie” is one of my favorite treats to indulge on. Being able to create a French macaron recipe in my own kitchen is something I have always wanted to do. So here we have my pumpkin spice French macaron filled with a pumpkin buttercream. One of the most interesting things that you will learn from this recipe (other than patience) is in the power of food alternatives. Using chickpea liquid and sugar as your meringue base really goes to show that you can still create these delicious desserts, without diary or the use of eggs. With that being said, I hope you enjoy this recipe and bon appétit!

French Macaron MerengueFrench Macaron

Yields 36 macaroons

Ingredients

Shell:

1/2 cup concentrated aquafaba, (chickpea liquid)

3 Tbsp. fine granulated sugar

100g Vitacost almond flour

200g Vitacost powdered sugar

1 tsp. pumpkin spice

Buttercream:

3/4 cups Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, room temperature

2 1/4 cups Vitacost powdered sugar

1 3/4 tsp. plain almond milk

1 1/2 Tbsp. organic pumpkin puree, homemade

1/8 tsp. Pumpkin spice seasoning 

French Macaron

Directions

Aquafaba concentrate
1. In sauce pan over medium-high heat, pour in both cans chickpea liquid AKA aquafaba (save chickpeas for my hummus recipe). Reduce liquid until 1/2 cup remains. Pour liquid into container and cool in refrigerator overnight (this step is very important).

Shell:

  1. In food processor, pulse almond flour and powdered sugar until super fine. Add pumpkin spice, pulse and set aside.
  2. To make meringue, use stand mixer to whip cold aquafaba concentrate for 10-15 minutes until medium peak forms. Slowly add sugar, a little at a time, until incorporated. Mix again for another minute or two until sugar mixes in fully. (This is ready when you can turn bowl upside down and meringue stays put.)
  3. Using spatula, fold almond mixture into meringue. To fold, carefully bring spatula through middle of bowl toward you. Scraping sides of bowl, fold bottom layer onto top portion. Continue until mixture is fully incorporated and fluid (like molten lava). Note: If you do not properly fold batter, you will end up with cracked or hollow shells. Making sure the air is evenly distributed and the consistency is just right is very important. To test consistency, scoop batter with spatula into “8” shape. One clean swoop, means you’re ready to pipe!
  4. Fill piping bag with mixture. On parchment-paper-lined baking sheet, draw 2-in. circles or dispense even amount of dough. To eliminate air bubbles, slam tray onto kitchen counter. Smooth out any “nipple” that formed from piping. Allow shells to sit for 90-120 minutes or until outside is no longer sticky to the touch.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

  1. Bake 14 minutes, checking frequently toward the end. You should be able to peel shells off parchment paper without sticking.
  2. Using spatula, carefully lift macaron shells off parchment paper. Transfer to cooling rack.

Buttercream:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. If making homemade pumpkin puree, slice small baking pumpkin in half and lightly drizzle with oil. Place halves onto baking sheet, flesh side up, and roast for 40 minutes or until tender.
  3. Once done roasting, add chunks of cut pumpkin into food processor (skin removed) and blend until smooth. (Use remaining purée for future recipe.)
  4. In mixing bowl, beat room temperature butter until fluffy and white in color. Add powdered sugar, almond milk, pumpkin spice and either canned or homemade pumpkin purée and mix until frosting forms; about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Spoon buttercream into middle of macaroon shell and top with another shell; carefully wiggling the two halves together. Once all are assembled, place into refrigerator for 24-48 hours or freeze up to 3 months.

 

Chef’s tip: To prevent a major macaron fail, avoid substituting ingredients or altering measurements.

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Classic French Onion Soup 

French Onion Soup

This classic soup has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember. Any time that I would see it on a menu at a restaurant, I would order it. Since going plant-based, craving French onion soup has proposed some challenges. If you’re not familiar with this drool-worthy dish, it’s traditionally made with beef broth and drenched in melted cheese—no thanks! So finally, after a long wait, I decided it’s about time to allow my taste buds to reminisce and indulge in the flavors I enjoyed so much. So here you have it, folks! A cruelty-free, plant-based spin on my favorite soup.

Photo Cred: Ivy Becker

Bonus recipe: Love bread? Try making a homemade French baguette!

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

5 large yellow onions

2 1/2 Tbsp. Annie’s Natural organics Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

1 Tbsp. sherry

1 cup filtered water

32 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. Simply Organic Thyme Leaf

1-1/2 Simply Organic Bay Leaf

1 tsp. Vitacost Fine Himalayan Pink Salt

1/2 tsp. Spicely Organics Ground Black Pepper

4 slices vegan provolone cheese

Photo Cred: Ivy Becker

Directions

  1. In large stock pot. sauté onions with  oil. Add salt and pepper. Cook 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat.
  2. Add sherry and cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce, water, vegetable broth, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Scoop soup evenly into four bowls and top with 1 slice of provolone each. Broil in over for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Chef’s tip: If you do not have sherry for this recipe, it is OK to omit.